Fearless Love

Chapter 2: Reaching Out

A few days later, Kamala was on her way to an event when her phone began to buzz. She pulled it out of her bag and frowned when she didn't recognize the number that had texted her. She opened the message which read: *"Hey, It's Doug! Just saying hi. I'm at the lakers game"*. 

Kamala smiled to herself and began to type her own response back. *"Hi. I'm sorry I can't talk right now as I am on the way to an event, but we can talk tomorrow"* Kamala then ended with her own awkwardness, even though she's a warriors fan. *"Go Lakers"*.

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Doug was driving to work the following morning when he couldn't get Kamala off his mind. ~Its 8:30 am it's way too early to call her. That's ridiculous. Don't be that guy, just don't. Don't call her. Don't do it~ Doug thought to himself. "Oh no I just rang her number" he said aloud to himself before he heard the ringing. "Oh no it's ringing" he says.

Kamala was leaving the gym before work when she noticed she had missed a call from Doug. Kamala was taken aback, she had suggested connecting today but she didn't think Doug would reach out this early. Kamala had to admit it was a little endearing. She listened to the voicemail which was long and rambling. Kamala was intrigued, Doug certainly sounded like such a nice guy though, she definitely wanted to learn more about this guy.

Later that day Kamala needed to meet the contractor and his team who were redoing her kitchen, to show them in and give them keys. When she arrived she learnt that the contractor was running late. She rarely had a free lunch hour so decided to call Doug back.

Doug seen her name on his screen and smiled as he answered calmly "Hello". "Hi Douglas, It's Kamala, Kamala Harris. I had a free lunch hour so I thought I'd return your call. I'm not interrupting anything am I?" She asked as she took a seat on her sofa.

"No, I've actually got a free lunch hour too. Speaking of returning my call" Doug began. "I was worried I'd actually never hear from you again...I'm sorry about that voicemail. I was going to call again to explain it but as I said I thought I had already ruined my chances, so I didn't. Anyway how has your day been so far?" he asked as he leans back in his chair, trying to sound interested, not that he wasn't because he was very interested.

Kamala laughed "I'm sure you know my job isn't easy but funny enough today hasn't been overly packed as usual. How are you?" She asks. "I'm good. Today has been awfully quiet. " Doug says. "What else does Attorney General Harris like to do in her free time besides talking on the phone to guys she's never met before?" He asks with a chuckle.

Kamala laughed that deep guttural laugh of hers that could give you goosebumps. "Well I like to cook, I love cooking. My Mommy used to say 'Kamala, if you like to eat good food you have to learn to cook.' So i watched her in the kitchen and thats how I learnt to cook. What about you? What does Douglas Emhoff do when he's not leaving long, rambling voicemails for women?" She asked with a giggle.

Doug laughed with her before speaking "Well I like to watch sports or hang out with my friends. But most important of all is spending time with my family especially my kids, my children are my everything." Kamala's heart melted. She admired the way he spoke of his children. She could already tell that Doug was an excellent father.

The rest of the time on the phone they spent cracking each other up and joking and laughing about themselves. Doug finally worked up the courage to plan their first date. "Are you free Saturday?" he asked. "Yes, I am, I could fly to La if that works for you." Kamala said. Doug Smiled "We could meet at my place first" he suggested. Kamala gulped "Uh..how about you pick me up instead?" She asks. "Okay sure, but I need to let you know I'm not a really good driver" Doug says. With a chuckle Kamala responds by saying "Thanks for letting me know".

They finished making their plans and hung up. Kamala was excited to meet Doug, which was a little surprising. He was so comfortable with himself and that is what made Kamala like him immediately.