Breakthrough

Save the Drama For Your Mama

When I woke up the next morning I decided to be productive. That meant getting my lazy ass up before twelve so that I could go enjoy brunch on the patio. I slipped on my sundress, denim jacket, and wedges then grabbed my purse and made my downstairs. When I got there all of the tables were full leaving a couple seats at the bar open. I was used to bar seats. After taking my seat and taking in the nice weather the bartender came over.
"Good morning miss. Can I get you something to drink?" He asked drying a glass with a dish towel.
"Hello, and yes can I have a poinsettia and a glass of water?"
"Absolutely," he said giving me a smile and walking away. I then flipped through the menu that was left in front of me deciding I would go with the eggs Benedict and hash browns. A waitress then came up to me and took my order and told me it would be right out.
"Ok, so here is your poinsettia and your water. Now tell me this," the bartender said looking at me.
"What's that?" I asked.
"What is a pretty lady like you doing all alone at a place like this?" I began to laugh not knowing what else to do. I mean he was an honest flirt and nothing else. He was pretty cute. Black guy with tight curly hair, neat of course. Probably 6'4. Easy on the eyes. And it was nice to be flirted with, boosted my confidence and maybe it'll get me a free drink.
"Just needed a little getaway," I say taking a sip of my drink just as the waitress brings out my food.
"Thank you," I say turning toward her.
"Enjoy your meal," she said taking my empty glass. As I begin to cut into my eggs Benedict I feel the bartender just staring at me which caused me to look up.
"Can I help you?" I said after taking my first bite.
"I could use your help by possibly going out with me sometime?"
"Haha, I'm kind of busy," I somewhat lie. I mean I do get busy often.
"I've got time to wait," he quickly replies.
"Yeah, I'm usually really busy," I say laughing nervously taking another bite of my food.
"Well how about I meet you in your room after my shift then you'll sure change your mind," he said leaning over the bar closer to me.
"How about you leave her alone and get back to your job?" A booming voice said which caused me to turn around. Blake? I thought he was going to Texas.
"Man, come on we were just having a little fun and--" the bartender said defending himself.
"You know what man, just get away before I do something that you and I may regret later?" He said causing the bartender to scurry off to the other side of the bar. Blake then pulled out the barstool next to me and sat down sighing and took off his sunglasses.
"Some guys are just so damn rude to girls. How long was he bugging you?"
"Uh not very long. At first I thought it was cute then it got really weird real fast," I said taking a sip of my drink. He began looking at a menu as I began looking at him. He was wearing a pair of cognac colored chino shorts paired with a white v-neck, white converse, and gold Rolex. After a moment he then looked at me and smiled.
"You look pretty," he said making me blush.
"Thanks, so do you. I mean you look handsome. Not pretty. Handsome," I said shaking my head.
"Pretty. Handsome. I'll take any compliment from you,"
"I thought you were going to Texas?" I say quickly changing the subject.
"I was. I still am. I got the dates mixed up. I thought that today was the third but it's actually tomorrow. Are you ok by the way? You seem a little angsty. And your cheeks are really red," he said taking note of my flushed cheeks.
"Yeah I'm fine," I said feeling my face, and taking another sip of my water.
"Are you sure?" He said scooting his chair closer to me and resting his left hand on my exposed thigh. The weight of his hand there made my heart race and my eyes dart to the side so I wouldn't scream.
"I'm fine. I promise," I said scratching the side of my face.
"Hmm mkay. So what are you eating? I'm starving," he said his hand still resting comfortably on me.
"Eggs Benedict and hash browns. I think they have the best of the best," I said taking another bite.
"Oh yeah? Looks pretty good too. Have you been here before?" He said eyeing my plate.
"Yeah my mom and I come here like once a month and make it a shopping and brunch day. You wanna bite?" I said looking up at him resting his other hand on the bar while still one still occupied my thigh.
"I was hoping you'd ask that," he said opening his mouth as I cut him a piece off and fed it to him.
"Mmmmm, that's really good, I think I'm gonna order me some of that," he said looking around for someone on the wait staff.
"Hello sir, can I get you something to drink?" The same woman who took my order asked.
"Yes, I'll have whatever she had and then an unsweet tea. And you can put everything on one bill," he said to her.
"Yes, sir I'll go put in that order and bring out your tea in just a moment," she said taking his menu.
"Thank you," he said turning back to me.
"You didn't have to do that," I said shaking my head.
"What?" He asked taking a sip of my water.
"Pay for me. I can pay for myself."
"I know you can, but I like to," he said giving my thigh a slight squeeze.
"Mhmmm. So what exactly made you come out here?" I asked adjusting the straps of my dress.
"Well, I wanted to see you again before I left and make sure you weren't upset about the magazine."
"Oh, I'm not upset, at least not anymore. My mom just made it a bigger deal than it actually was."
"Yeah she seems like a...handful. Quite the woman," he said giving me a look.
"That's the truth. But, I love her you know. And my dad tries to keep her in line when he can."
"I bet. Haha, yeah dads are good for that. Speaking of parents mine are coming down here after I get back and I'd like for them to meet you." Holy shit. I'm meeting the parents already? I felt like I broke out in hives internally for a moment.
"Really? Already?" I asked him softly as the waitress brought over Blake's drink.
"Yeah, why not?" He said taking a sip
"I mean are you really sure you want to introduce me to your parents. Your mom and dad," I said looking at him sternly.
"Yes, my mom, dad, and possibly my brother and his wife."
"Your brother too? And his wife?" I questioned him as the waitress brought out his food and he removed his hand from my thigh which left a light print from being there so long.
"Thank you. And yes my brother too. He's probably one of my best friends." I still couldn't believe it. We've been hanging out a little over a three weeks and this is already happening.
"Blake, what are we doing? And yes I know what you said the other night but..." I just couldn't think.
"And I meant what I said. I like this. I like us. I like you," he said shoveling a fork full of food into his his mouth then looking at me.
"I do too but I just don't think, I don't know. Is this too soon? Should we be questioning this? Are your parents going to be ok with this? And what about--" he then took me by surprise taking his hand and grabbing my neck a little and pulling it toward him giving me a hard kiss. That got me to shut up. He held me there for a moment as he explored the corners of my mouth pushing his tongue against my teeth. I could taste the remnants of ketchup on his mouth from his has hash browns and the smoothness of recently applied Chapstick on his lips. He pulled away slowly as I looked around to see that we had an audience. One guy in the back whistled as a good portion of the people began clapping which caused me cheeks to grow red in embarrassment and Blake's grin to grow wide.
"You idiot! We're in public and might be on the cover of People tomorrow!" I said smacking his chest playfully.
"Does that answer your question?"
"I don't even remember what I asked you."
"You kept questioning everything about us. Was this right? My brother and parents. Sometimes I feel you are more comfortable with criticism rather than compliments so I hope that that kiss answered your question. I like you. I like you a lot and I don't want you to go anywhere."
"This is just all new to me. This whole relationship thing I just am a little skeptical. And I feel the same about you I just didn't think you did. I don't know what your parents will think of me and I just don't want this to end," I said nearly running out of breath.
"I've noticed you tend to ramble to sort of fill the space or when you're nervous," he said flatly.
"Yeah. Yeah I do. You probably don't like that about me."
"I actually do. I think it's funny cause your mouth is going 90 miles a minute," he says laughing.
"Yeah and I don't know how to make it stop once it starts."
"Well thank goodness I do," he says while leaning in to give me another kiss.
"Mhmm, I think you're the only one who knows how."
"I better be."
"For now at least," I said winking as he grabs his wallet leaving a hundred on the bar and then take my hand and puts his sunglasses back on.
"Now, why don't we get out of here?" He says leading me off of the patio and into the hotel.
"What'd you have in mind?"
"Anything."
"Anything?" I ask him.
"So long as I'm with you."