The confession

By Monday Tamla was gone and Quisha was back to herself and trying to figure out what it was that she and Chad had between them. They had a date that night, and she hoped she would get the answers she was looking for.

The agreement they had formed was starting to morph into something else. At dinner at his favorite restaurant he said, “You know, Quisha I have a confession; I really like you.”

“You say that as if you are surprised,” she said.

He looked up at her from his plate. “I guess I am. I mean, we’re two different people. I’m not just talking about race.”

She cocked her head to the side and asked, “In what way then?”

“Well, you don’t seem to have familial obligations hanging over your head. You have a certain level of freedom that I admire,” Chad said.

“But, you’re a wealthy man, you answer to no one except family. So no, I don’t understand why you have an issue.” She took a sip of her martini.

“You wouldn’t understand. You know I was voted bachelor of the year in Detroit’s Hip and Happening, so eyes are on me. People are trying to pawn their cock-eyed daughters off on me,” he said with a laugh. That was when she knew he was messing with her.

“Stop it,” she said and giggled.

“Yeah, I’m joking about that, but not about what I said about family and your freedom, he continued. They got quiet for a moment and just stared across the table at each other. When dinner was over he took her home and went up to her apartment with her.

“If I didn’t tell you, you looked amazing tonight,” he said. And she did. She was dressed in an off-the-shoulder, knee-length cobalt blue dress, and it looked good against her skin tone. He was handsome as always, attired in his usual dressy casual for their dates.

“I meant it when I said I liked you,” he said, stepping close to her as she took off her heels.

Her back was to him. He turned her around to face him and he lowered his frame to meet her lips. It was the first tender, honest kiss they shared. The first time they had sex was out of lust and they allowed their base instincts to drive them—but this was different.

She snaked her arms up and around his neck and returned his kiss.

Before they knew it they were in bed and the world was closed out as they concentrated on each other’s bodies and bringing the other to a heightened sense of intense pleasure. She came first and he followed after.

* * *

The following morning Chad was back at his mansion and in the shower preparing to go to the office when Jessica called. He hadn’t heard from her in months.

“Have you come to your senses yet?” she asked with hope in her voice. “Are you finished messing with—what’s her name?” She asked regarding Quisha.

“I never lost my senses. And who am I messing with?” he asked.

“Don’t play stupid, Chad. I heard about you and some Black woman; really, Chadwick Allencourt?”

You never gave me a chance to explain myself. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Can I see you later tonight?” he asked.

She was quiet for a minute. She didn’t want to appear to be too eager. She had wanted desperately to call him weeks earlier, but her pride wouldn’t let her do it.

“Tonight is short notice and I’ve got plans,” she lied.

“When is a good time then?” he asked.

“How about this Saturday? I will keep my calendar open,” she said and they ended their call.

* * *

Saturday

“Earth calling Chad,” Jessica said to bring him back into the conversation.

“Oh, sorry,” I have a lot on my plate right now,” he said.

“Work related? Maybe I can help,” she said.

“No, I’m fine,” he replied. It wasn’t work related. Being away from Jessica for more than three months he realized how vapid she was. She was the typical girl he went to high school with who hoped to marry rich whether she loved the man or not.

“Chad you’re not with me. What is going on?” she asked and searched his face.

He was quiet. He knew she would cause a scene if things didn’t go her way.

“Nothing is going on. You left me—remember?” he reminded her.

“You gave me no other choice,” she responded

“You made your choice,” he said absently.

She started to get upset with him again. He was playing with her emotions, going back and forth with no real answer. She looked at his mouth. She missed his kisses, his strong hands. He read the message on her face.

Are you ready to go?” he asked when they were finished eating.

The reunion she had hoped for didn’t happen but he took her back to his house just the same and they fell into a friends-with-benefits routine. He wasn’t much of a boyfriend, but he knew how to make her body sing, and for that, dealing with his reluctance to put a ring on it made up for it. When they were done she sat up in bed and looked at him as he slept.

Typical she thought to herself and pouted.

“Are you awake?” she asked.

He rolled onto his back, but remained quiet.

“So, where do we go from here?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” he responded.

“My god—you are so predictable,” Jessica said. “I’m sorry I called you. I can’t keep doing this with you.” She said and got up to dress.

“Just answer this question before I go. Are you in love with her?” she asked before heading to the bathroom.

“No,” he lied. He was still sorting out his feelings for Quisha and he was torn between her and what his family would think.