pure, brown skin bride | Suds 3

pure, Suds 3 | Episode 22

{Last time on Suds, a very long time ago. I know. I know, but also you know. The feels...right? If those feels aren't jumping off the page, the episode gets delayed. My deepest apologies.

But about those bubbles... Lique left Shantel babysitting Sylus' son and she ran off to help Terrance.

After squirming through Sylus and Shantel's almost, it's time for us to jump into this Lique and Terrance situation. Lather up!!

Ready, Set... Suds!!}

~

LIQUE parked her car in the valet zone in front of Art's Soul Food Restaurant and hopped out.

The valet jogged over. "Do you want it parked in the garage or should I keep it close?"

She dropped the key in his hand. "Can you wait ten minutes, then take it to the garage if I'm not back?"

A smile stretched across his face. "I'll handle it personally."

"Thanks, Jamal," she said, taking a closer look at Art's protege. "You have dimples."

Jamal grinned, rubbing his cheek. "Yeah. You noticed." His smile widened. "And you look great. Like always."

Lique paused, noting little details about Jamal. His smooth tapioca skin, sleepy eyes, and broad shoulders. She dawdled in his admiring gaze, waiting for herself to clam up and shrink away with another anxiety attack.

Seconds ticked by, but her breathing held constant. Her brows knitted together. Why wasn't she afraid?

Jamal licked his lips.
She followed the motion, trying to trigger the anxiety attack.

Her keys jingled.
"Is there anything else I can help you with?" he asked.

Slowly, she shook her head, narrowing her eyes as she zoned in on every detail from the tight curl of his lashes to his small cleft on his chin.

"I can take a break," he offered. "If you want to hang out."

"Um, no," she said, jarring herself from the curious encounter. "I have to find Terrance." Lique walked around him, then stopped short. "Jamal," she called over her shoulder, turning to face him once more.

He raised his brows, stepping forward at her call, closer than she could tolerate most days, but her heartbeat remained steady. No hyperventilation. No invisible needles prickling her skin. A slow smile crept into her cheeks.

"What's up?" he asked, eagerly.

Still, she wasn't shaking. Fear wasn't crawling into her throat. He was standing close. If she reached up, she could touch him, but her body remained calm. Unaffected.

Awe broke through and a genuine smile touched her eyes.
"Thank you," Lique said. "You helped me out a lot," she said. "More than you can imagine."

He bit his bottom lip to quell a wide smile. "By parking your car?"
Lique nodded.
"Anytime." He chuckled. "If you need help with anything else, just ask."

Lique walked backward, checking for signs of anxiety again. It was gone. She grinned, spun around, and rushed inside the busy lounge.

Jamal watched her leave until the doors closed behind her. He scratched his head, jiggling her keys. She noticed him.

His grin widened and he went back to work.

~

Excitement raced through her veins. LIQUE didn't melt. She didn't stutter or run away.
"God, is it over now? Am I finally okay?" she asked, making her way toward Terrance. She couldn't wait to tell him.