Chapter Seventeen
Much to Samiyah’s dismay, the application process had taken just as much time if not more to fill out. It seemed that the upscale rental properties were rigorous with future tenants. She made her way into the restaurant and searched for Jonas. When her eyes landed on him, he was sitting at a booth nursing what looked to be a glass of water with lemon. She approached him, putting an extra sway in her steps. He leaned back comfortably and met her watchful stare. A delightful smile swept across his handsome face, and he stood as she pulled up in front of him.
“Hello beautiful,” he said pulling her in for a hug.
“Hello to you, too. Have you not had enough of me yet?” she joked.
“Nah, I’m still getting my fill of you.”
She laughed softly, “Is that so?”
He loved the way she laughed, so sexy, soft and pleasant.
“That is so.”
They pulled apart and sat across from each other getting relaxed and ordered their food.
“So apartment hunting, huh?”
“Yes, it’s time for me to move forward.”
“Is that truly what you want to do?”
“Definitely.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Well, you were there to experience a small percentage of what our relationship has been like for the last couple of years. After finding out he’d been with his mistress for most of our marriage, I honestly was ready to sign the papers immediately. But after giving it some thought, I did want to try counseling.”
“But he didn’t?”
Samiyah swallowed, her eyebrows furrowed. “No.” She glanced out the window.
“Samiyah, God works in mysterious ways. When one door closes another one opens, and you better believe it opens for the better.”
Bringing her eyes back to his, Samiyah pondered on Jonas’ words as his piercing stare tore through her. The waiter appeared with their food.
“Tell me something about you I don’t know, Jonas.”
He smiled, “Hmmm what is interesting about Jonas Alexander Rose.”
“A lot I’m sure,” Samiyah responded.
Jonas’ smile grew showing his pearly white teeth. “On Tuesdays and Thursday, I visit the Boys and Girls Clubs and mentor the young men there. The organizer tells me they’re a handful, but I’ve yet to see it.”
“Maybe they’re on their best behavior when you’re around.”
“You might be right.”
“How many boys is it that you mentor?”
“It’s a full class. Whoever is in attendance.”
“That’s very nice.”
“These young men need someone to teach them the ropes. Show them how to make their dreams a reality.”
“Who better than someone who’s worked hard, stayed out of trouble and built his own wealth?” Samiyah sang.
“That person sounds perfect. Next time you speak to him, ask if he could mentor me,” Jonas teased.
They laughed and ate casually; their conversation going from sports to the presidential debates. When their conversation switched to Jonas’ parents, he didn’t seem as forthcoming as before. Jonas glanced at the time on his watch.
“Do you need to get back to the office? I know I’ve held up enough of your time today,” Samiyah said.
“This time was well spent, I’d love to do it again.” His dreamy voice cruised across the table settling over her. Samiyah blushed.
“So would I.”
An unbearably gorgeous grin spread across his face. “Let me walk you to your car.”
He asked for the check and left a tip. They exited the restaurant making it to her car quicker than she liked. “So friend, when will I see you again,” she said turning full circle to look at him.
“Anytime, you name it.” He closed the gap and lay a kiss on her cheek.
The warmth from his kiss turned her into mush. Samiyah inhaled deeply. “You have to stop kissing me like that.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I might get carried away and start to get the impression that we’re more than friends. And well, you know how straightforward you are. A fling’s a fling, right?”
Jonas pulled back slightly making eye contact with her.
“If I am to be honest with you, Samiyah, I would say this thing between us surpassed friendship and was never as simple as a mere fling.”
Her insides melted and Samiyah tried to reason with the rational side of her brain. Unfortunately, his closeness left her incapable of thinking clearly.
“While I do feel,” Samiyah hesitated to look for the right word, “strongly about our chemistry, I’m not sure if now’s the right time for whatever this thing is.” She admitted.
“I disagree.”
Jonas bent down and kissed her lips, his hands slipping into her hair with a firm grip. With an intense pull, her lips parted slightly, and she moaned into his mouth. With his other arm wrapping around her, Samiyah floated into a cloud of ecstasy. With each tug of her lips, she was falling further away from her rationale. A car pulled into a parking space next to them, and the passengers got out and walked away. The alarm chirped bringing Samiyah back from the depths of passion. She pulled away from him breaking their kiss stepping to the side.
“I have to go.”
She said quickly making a hasty retreat. Jonas didn’t stop her. He stepped back and watched her run for dear life, but it didn’t matter, Samiyah wouldn’t get far. Jonas had made up his mind, that she was the one he wanted.
“So, how was the trip and I want details,” Claudia said.
Samiyah made it back to her townhome when she got the call from her best friend and business partner. She grabbed a basket of clothes and went into the laundry room.
“It was heavenly,” she breathed with a sigh.
Claudia squealed, “Ooooh, I am not jealous, I am not jealous,” she chanted trying to convince herself.
Samiyah laughed. “You should be,” she teased.
“Okay, I am jealous.” The women fell out laughing.
“Girl, what happened?”
“You mean besides the fact that I was basically joined at the hip with Mr. Smooth Operator the entire time?”
“Oh don’t act like you didn’t like it!”
“Quite the opposite, I loved it.” Samiyah sighed again.
“Then why do you sound so sad about it? Perk up. You had one of the finest men in Chicago at your beck and call. There is nothing to be down about.”
“I’m not down, I’m just confused and a little unsettled.”
“About what?”
“He took me out to lunch today, I’ve not too long ago returned, and he makes it seem as if he wants to date me. At first, I thought I was just looking too deep into his comments, but he confirmed today that he wants to be more than friends.”
Claudia switched the phone from one ear to the other. “I’m still waiting on the part that’s confusing and unsettling,” she spoke evenly.
“How about the part where I just divorced my husband not too long ago.”
“So because you’re newly divorced, that’s good enough reason to not fall in love with Mr. Right?”
Samiyah huffed, Claudia was not making this easy for her. “As a matter of fact, it is! And how would you know he’s Mr. Right? We all know the reputation of men of his stature.”
“Okay, but how does he treat you when you’re together? Do you feel like arm candy, bedroom candy, or what?”
Samiyah didn’t have to think about it long. “No, no, none of that. He’s a perfect gentleman.” Her voice dipped low, soft and easy. “He gives me his undivided attention, we’ve talked about a little bit of everything. For God’s sake, I even cried on his shoulder about my father while we were walking down the beach.” She smiled at the remembrance.
“Then don’t you think you should give him a chance?” Claudia said. “Don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself.”
Samiyah knew Claudia was right, but she was genuinely afraid to take it there. “I don’t know.”
Samiyah added detergent to her washing machine, turned her back and leaned against it for support.
“Seriously Samiyah, what do you have to lose?”
“I don’t know, but hey let me call you back, I told my mother I would return her call, and if I don’t she’ll swear I’m neglecting her.”
Claudia laughed, “Tell Ms. Jean I said hi.”
“Okay.” They hung up, and Samiyah dialed her mother.
“I was wondering if you were going to call me back. If I were dead and gone, you’d wish I was here.” Samiyah rolled her eyes.
“Mama please don’t start that.”
“I’m just saying.”
“Did you get the wires in your laundry room fixed, and Claudia says hi.”
“Yes, and I kicked him right out with a check for the amount he quoted. Tell Claudia I said hello. But that’s not what I called you earlier to talk to you about. Who’s this guy you’re on the front of the newspaper with? I don’t have to tell you that men ain’t no good and all they want is what’s in between your legs. Especially men like this handsome young fella on here. Looks can be deceiving child and all that glitters ain’t gold.”
Samiyah’s head fell back, and she closed her eyes feeling a headache coming on.
“If you’re just having fun, that’s fine but don’t give any more time than that. I don’t want to see you hurt again, baby.”
More silence from Samiyah. “Well say something. Don’t get quiet, you know I’m telling the truth.”
“Mom please.”
“Please what?”
“He’s just a friend.”
“Un huh, don’t you lie to me. This gorgeous man right here ain’t no woman’s friend.”
“Mom, I’ve got to go I’m washing clothes.”
“If you want to rush me off the phone, that’s fine by me, but you know I’m right.”
“I love you mom, bye.”
Samiyah disconnected the call and redialed Claudia.
“That was quick.”
“Girl I love my mama, but sometimes she can be such a prude.”
“What she say?”
“She saw us on the front of the Chicago Tribune.”
“Oh my goodness.” Claudia said, “Listen, I know how Mama Jean is but let me tell you, don’t you listen to her. You know she thinks all men are evil.”
“Yeah, but she was right about my ex.”
“And what do Jonas and your ex have in common?”
Samiyah didn’t need to think about it. “Nothing.”
“Exactly.”