Josiah didn’t go to work. Nor did he see Samantha Lean. We spent the entire day together watching movies, being flirty, and talking about our plan for the family barbeque this weekend. After eating dinner, Josiah had prompted the question about why I’d taken a leave of absence from work. Needless to say, he was more than upset when I gave him the answer.

“You’re finding another job,” he demanded.

“Josiah, it’s not that simple.”

“Yes, it is. I’ll call in some favors.”

I pursed my lips and strolled up to him.

“You’re so sweet, but I don’t want you to do that. I’d feel responsible if you owed anyone anything.”

“Santana, the last thing I care about is owing someone a favor when my lady is being harassed at work. What would you have me do, beat his ass or call in a favor?”

Josiah had just rattled me even more. I didn’t think he even noticed that he had called me his lady. Or maybe he did, and he was just keeping up with our plan. I couldn’t deny that his protectiveness turned me on. The more time I spent with him, the more I wanted only him. For real.

“Tell me this,” I began, “what should we tell our close friends about us? I’m asking because last night at The Dream Lounge Carla showed me a picture of us on social media. We were at the restaurant going to our table. They all wanted to know what was up with you and me. So, what should I tell them?”

“What did you?”

“I told them we were just friends and if there were anything more, they’d know when I knew.”

“Good diversion.” He chuckled wryly.

“When we get to this barbeque, we won’t be able to hide our relationship. So should we just let them assume we’re together?”

“I think so,” he said. “And I should also meet your parents.”

Taken slight back, I stuttered, “My-my parents?”

“Yeah,” he crooned. “That’s what people do when they get serious about each other, right?”

I gave him a quick smile, “Right…”

“You don’t want to tell them?”

“No. I mean, I didn’t think that part through.” I tapped my top lip with my finger in thought. Suddenly my stomach was in knots, and I wasn’t feeling so well. When it came to Barbara and Nathan Summers, they had asked me for years when would I start dating someone. I think at one point in time my mother thought I was gay. But I was focused on my career and men were at the bottom of the totem pole.

“You look sick,” Josiah said. “I get the feeling you’re not happy about me meeting your parents.”

“It’s not that, it’s just… I know they’ll be excited. They’ve waited a long time for me to bring a man home.” The thrill in my voice dropped. “I just always thought it would be tangible and not counterfeit.”

Josiah placed his hands on my shoulders and drove them up my neck to cup my face. “What you’re doing for me, Santana, is bigger than you’ll ever know. I don’t want you to worry about bringing home a fake boyfriend,” he said. I gave him a questionable look. “Let’s make it official.” Josiah took my hand and led me to the couch where we sat.

He leaned toward the end table and lifted the notepad and pen that sat on top. I watched him scribble something down then he handed the note to me. The words Will you be my girlfriend? were written, with Yes and No beneath it, each with a check box. I threw my arms around my waist and giggled.

“Josiah,” I laughed, “what is this?” I held the notepad out with a cheerful smile on my face.

“What does it look like? I asked you a question.”

I laughed some more and covered my mouth at the serious expression on his handsome features.

“You’re so sweet,” I said. “You don’t have to ask me to be your girlfriend to keep my parents happy.” I giggled more at his cute attempt to make our situation lighter.

“But I want you to be my girlfriend, Santana.”

My laughter faded, and I sat up straight, trying to grasp if he was joking.

“You’re serious?”

“Yes.”

He took my hands in his, and my eyes fell to the joining of them.

“You know if I’m your girlfriend then our pretending becomes real,” I said then shook my head. “No, not right now. Let’s just stick with our arrangement, and after that’s over, we’ll take it from there.”

“So that’s a no. You don’t want to be my girlfriend.”

“I don’t want to confuse things, Josiah. That’s all. I’d rather we do things one at a time. Let’s finish what we’ve started, and if you still want me to be your girlfriend, we’ll take it from there.”

I was repeating myself. I did that when I got nervous.

Josiah stood. “Okay then.” He reached for me, and I glided to him. “Come walk me to your door.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Did you want me to stay?”

“I just assumed you would since we’ve spent the day together. Hey, you aren’t mad, are you?”

“About what?”

I watched him carefully for a long second then shook my head.

“Nothing, it must just be me.”

Josiah bent forward and placed a gentle kiss on my lips and caressed my face.

“I’ll see you later.”

He strolled to the front door, and I trailed awkwardly behind him. Josiah didn’t glance back as he stepped outside and left the porch. I watched him climb into his Infiniti, and my stomach knotted. I didn’t like the lumbering feeling that sat in my gut. Had I upset him? Truthfully, Josiah and I got along so great I wanted a real relationship with him. But I didn’t want it to happen because he felt an obligation to me. I wanted what I offered him to be plain and simple. I didn’t see a problem with us waiting until things were clear before we embarked on a genuine relationship. But I was now beginning to think I’d made a mistake.

Josiah grinned and hit his horn than pulled off down the road. I closed the door and checked the time on the wall. It was close to ten o’clock. I turned out all the lights and took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, and tied my hair down before crawling into bed. However, Josiah’s scent had been left behind in my sheets. I knew I should probably change them, but I had no desire to. And I hoped like hell it wouldn’t be the last time I smelled his fragrance coupled around me.

 

The next day, I’d made myself busy doing things I did on a regular basis like spring cleaning. I’d changed into a pair of jeans I wore whenever I painted, which was not often. I wasn’t one to move around much, but the recent relocation from Houston to Chicago put me in the mood to paint every room in my house. So, there I was in paint-stained jeans, a T-shirt that held a few holes, with my hair tied up in a knot on the top of my head. I grabbed a bucket, some Fabuloso cleaner, a feather duster, and started in my bedroom. When I say I spring cleaned the house, I mean every corner, nook, and cranny. By the time I’d made it to the kitchen, my ankles ached and that was saying a lot.

I’d missed the whole day getting things straightened out, and I was sure the music coming from the MP3 earplugs helped with that. During this time, thoughts of Josiah were sporadic. I was trying to keep my mind focused on everything but him. Why? Because it was unhealthy not to do so. But every time the soft melodies of Musiq Soulchild, Raphael Saadiq, and Anthony Hamilton streamed through my plugs, I found my thoughts going right where I was trying to keep them from. Josiah. At the end of the day, I checked my cell to find I had a single text message from him.

Good morning, beautiful. You have an interview with the Chicago Chronicle and the Illinois Tribune tomorrow. Your first appointment is at 11 am with Lauren Hathaway. The second is at 2 pm with Van Stone. I know you’ll knock it out the park. Talk to you later.

I smiled and rubbed my thumb over the phone’s screen. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours, and already Josiah had managed to score me two interviews. My smile brightened, and my heart thumped thinking about how sweet he was to me. I hit reply and sent a message back.

Hey you, I just saw your text. I’ve been off the grid for a while but thank you, Josiah. You really didn’t have to.

I blushed and clutched my phone as I waited for his reply.

I told you I would. You’ll do great. Oh, and stay on the grid, woman. I won’t have you going dark on me.

I smiled, and a tingle fled through my spirit. I love you…

I wanted to type it, but I had a feeling I was alone when it came to loving Josiah. It was another reason I hesitated when he asked me to be his girlfriend. If we were right for each other, it would happen, and Josiah would be as enamored with me as I was with him.

The next morning, I entered the Chicago Chronicle with my head held high. I’d chosen a high-waisted full navy blue and white polka dot skirt, ruffled blouse, and three-inch heels as my interview attire. In my hand, I held a briefcase and my recommendation letter from the Houston Report. As I sat in the waiting room, I crossed my legs and swayed with a light bounce.

“Ms. Summers,” a woman called.

I rose and smiled up at her.

“Follow me,” she said.

I made my way back into a large corner office overlooking the city. The Chicago Chronicle was the biggest local newspaper. Getting a position here could propel my career to its highest level. We sat, and Mrs. Hathaway offered me a cup of coffee. For the thirty minutes of the interview, we talked about my move to Chicago, my current job at the school, and my relationship with Josiah. I found it interesting that Mrs. Hathaway was intrigued by the way Josiah and I met. When I felt the conversation getting too personal, I switched gears and kindly edged our way back to my professional expertise.

I stood and strolled to her after pulling my portfolio out of my briefcase. I offered her a copy of the recommendation letter, which she gladly took.

“This is impressive,” she said, glancing over my credentials. Mrs. Hathaway looked to me. “We have an opening that we need filled immediately. How soon can you start?”

My eyes popped. “I’d need to give notice to my current employer, so I would say two weeks give or take.”

Mrs. Hathaway reached out to shake my hand. “You’re hired. If you have time today, we can start the paperwork and set your official hire date two weeks from now. Would that be a long enough notice to give your employer?”

“Yes. Certainly.”

“Good. You wouldn’t have a problem with a background check, would you?” she asked.

“No, definitely not,” I smiled.

“Fabulous.”

I glanced at the clock on the wall and thought about my second interview. Accepting a gig at the Chicago Chronicle was a no-brainer, but I didn’t want to stand off the second interview I had with the Illinois Tribune. Mrs. Hathaway noticed my mental struggle.

“Is anything wrong?”

“I have another appointment at two. I just need to cancel it.”

“Oh no problem, I’ll have you out of here before then.”

“Oh great!”

I sat down and got comfortable while Mrs. Hathaway left the office to grab a new hire package. While she was away, I shot a quick text message to Josiah.

I got the job!

A second passed before I received a text back.

Congratulations, beautiful. I had no doubt you wouldn’t.

The smile on my face was large and in charge. I squealed inwardly.

What should I do about the second interview? It feels weird to cancel it.

Mrs. Hathaway re-entered the room and handed me so many forms I wondered if I was applying to work at the White House. The phone vibrated in my lap, and I glanced at the screen.

I’ll take care of it. We should celebrate, I’m taking you out to dinner tonight. Eight pm.

I smiled again but didn’t respond. I wanted to get this paperwork filled out and find something sexy to wear for our date. But why? I told myself I needed to be proper when we were in public. It was the perfect situation for me to show how much I cared for him without feeling ridiculous about it.

Leaving the Chicago Chronicle with my spirits high was everything. I got into my car and drove to the mall. I wasn’t too much experienced with dating, so my wardrobe could use a facelift. My phone rang, and I answered quickly.

“Hello,” I sang.

“Hey girl, what’re you up to? I haven’t heard from you in a few days.”

“I’m excellent now that you ask, Carla.”

“Sounds like you’ve got some juice, tell me about it. I could use some inspiration.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I’m just feeling blue about my job, girl.”

“Carla,” I said, “you haven’t been looking for another job?”

“Nooo,” she whined.

“Why not?”

“I don’t know. I guess I’m just hoping for the best.”

I scoffed. “Carla, if you know without a shadow of a doubt that your drug test will come back positive, then you need to be looking for something else.”

“Can we please talk about anything other than that? What are you doing and where are you going?”

I pulled my shoulders back and peered at the screen.

“Who says I’m going anywhere?”

“I can hear your radio playing in the background.”

I reached for the dial and turned it down.

“I’m on my way to the mall, pulling up in the parking lot as we speak.”

“Oooh, shopping is always nice. What’s the occasion?”

I hesitated, knowing this probably wouldn’t be the perfect time to tell Carla about my position at the newspaper.

“Josiah is taking me to dinner tonight.”

“Santana, are you all dating?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “We are.”

A high-pitched squeal sounded through my ear, and I pulled the phone back and squinted until Carla was done.

“Oh my God, that is so exciting. It’s you. You’re the next one to get hitched by one of those fine ass Rose brothers.”

“I don’t know about all that,” I said.

“What do you mean? It seems like one by one, they’re all turning in their playa cards for love and mark my words. You’re next!”

My smile was bright. Carla’s words were very encouraging, but I reminded myself that our relationship wasn’t a real one. Just that thought deflated me.

“Listen, don’t get all excited, we’re talking about Josiah here.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

I exited my car and hit the alarm on my keypad. It chirped, and I sauntered across the street into The Shops at North Bridge Mall. My heels clicked against the vinyl tile as I headed straight for the bank of elevators.

“We’ve talked about this before,” I said. “Hold on for just a second, Carla.” I shifted the strap that was tied to my handbag and dug in the pocket for my Bluetooth. After adjusting the device on my ear, I dropped my smartphone inside my purse and continued my walk to Nordstrom’s.

“Hey, Carla, can you hear me?”

“Yeah.”

“So, as I was saying. Josiah’s young. I’d be foolish to think he’s ready for marriage.”

“Oh, girl, pa-lease!”

I stopped walking at Carla’s heavy insinuation.

“What?” I shrugged.

“You’ll have to come better than that. You talk like the man is sixteen. Honey, he’s in his late-twenties. Josiah knows what he wants.”

“How do you know?” I asked, making my way into the store.

“It’s not rocket science. Look, consider this. Josiah was raised in a strong male household. I’m sure his values are very different from most twenty somethings.”

She had a point, but I didn’t want to let her know it.

“I hear you.”

“Do you,” she shot back.

“I do.”

I browsed through summer dresses before pulling a few off and heading to the dressing room.

“I should’ve been right there with you. I could use some retail therapy. How much vacation time did you put in at work?”

“Initially a week, which ends in three days. But I just got a new job, so I’m going to put in my two weeks’ notice.”

The phone went silent.

“Hello, Carla?”

“I’m so happy for you I could cry.”

“Aww, are you?”

“Yes, I am, but I am jealous as hell.”

We laughed.

“Where did you get another job?”

I paused for dramatic effect. “The Chicago Chronicle.”

Carla gasped then squealed, and I did a little dance in the dressing room as I stepped into the thin gown.

“I know!” I said, excitement bubbling over. “That’s why Josiah is taking me to dinner. He wants to celebrate.”

“Girl, you are on some love-struck shit over there. I can’t even relate!”

I tossed back my head and laughed.

“Tomorrow, his family is having what he called their annual barbeque, and he wants me there.”

“Dang, I want to go! He got about fifty thousand other brothers. Maybe I can bag one of them.”

I laughed again and slapped the wall in the dressing room.

“Hey, you never know. If you really want to go, I’ll ask Josiah if it’s okay that I bring you.”

“Um, why hell yes I want to go!”

My laughter continued. I could see Carla standing with a hand on her hip going into a circle neck roll and lip pop. I twirled in the mirror and loved the way the see-through lace fit my breast snugly down to my waist. From there, silk material flared at my hips stretching to my knees. I felt like Mary Poppins. Well, the updated, sophisticated, sexy as hell version if I did say so myself.

“Well, you need to get yourself together, sweetie, because I’m sure he’ll say yes.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. My Josiah’s a sweetheart. He never tells me no.”

“Wait one minute!” Carla said. “Your Josiah? Never tells you no! Girl, you have been holding out, and I don’t appreciate it. If you could’ve heard that damn dreamy sigh you just spoke all that with! Oh my God, Santana, you’re in love!”

My stomach balled, and my throat tightened.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m in very strong like,” I said.

“The hell you are! Meet me at my house in fifteen minutes,” she yelled.

“Why?”

“Because I said so that’s why.”

I let out a heavy sigh knowing Carla was about to question me to death but I’d hidden my passions for Josiah for as long as I could. So now it was time for me to spill the tea.