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I sat at the table patiently waiting for Nala to walk through the restaurant's doors. I gave her, her space to focus on her first meet of the pre-season but it was time we finished our conversation.
I wasn't even sure she would show up. She didn't confirm or deny all she did was heart my message.
"Were you ready to order?" The waitress asked approaching the table
"I'm still waiting on someone, thanks." She nodded and walked away to tend to other tables
"Sorry I'm late I couldn't figure out what to wear." Nala said announcing herself
I looked up drinking in her entire appearance in. She had on a brown ankle length dress that if you looked too quickly you would think she was naked. It looked painted on her body.
"You look gorgeous mama." I said into her ear as I pulled out her seat for her
Her scent was intoxicating. It was a sweet smell with a hint of vanilla.
"Thank you, you look good too. Did you just get a retwist?" She asked admiring my hair
"Yeah." I chuckled "You always notice."
A comfortable silence fell over the two of us as we both looked over the menu. The waitress came back and took our orders shortly after.
"Thank you for meeting up with me." I said
"Yeah, I know we still need to talk."
I honestly didn't even want to talk anymore as good as Nala was looking. I just wanted to skip that and get to the making up part where I tear that dress off of her.
"Well first I want to apologize for how I reacted to you telling me about our baby. You ain't deserve all that energy, I just felt responsible for all that you went through because it was my bullshit with my ex that caused you to stress so much. You lost our baby because of me and that's something I can never forgive myself for."
"It's not your fault Chris and I don't blame you for the loss. God has a plan and with everything going on it just wasn't the right time for us. Don't beat yourself up too much." She said with sincere eyes "I appreciate and accept your apology though."
"I guess the next question is where do we go from here. I meant everything I said the last time I saw you. I want to be with you Nala."
She smiled and looked down at the table as if she was trying to find the words to say. The waitress brought out our food further delaying her response.
"I am open to continuing our relationship Chris, I just have too much on my plate right now and I don't really have the emotional capacity nor time to get involved in anything serious at the moment."
It was disappointing to hear, yet at the same time I had to respect it. She just started her freshman year at a D1 college and was still trying to find her footing with Track and academics. It be selfish of me to expect her to put me above all of that when she was chasing her dream.
"I understand Nala." I said "I just hope that when you are ready I'm the first person you call, and you not being ready doesn't mean that I'm going to stop fighting for you."
I reached for her hand across the table and planted a kiss on the back of it making her blush. Nala was a sucker for romantic shit and I didn't mind doing those kind of things for her.
The rest of the dinner she caught me up on what's been going on with Track and showed me her thigh that was healing. Nala's skin was flawless and now she had scarring all because of another jealous teammate.
She claims the hazing doesn't bother her much but I can tell it does. She dealt with Skai fucking with her, her entire track career and I'm sure she thought coming to LSU would be her getaway from that.
The more we talked the more I realize how much I really missed her. Just being in her presence, hearing her voice was everything.
She skipped dessert which I assumed was because the team is on a strict diet. As we walked o it ten restaurant I noticed she was calling an Uber.
"Nala I can take you home, you know." I said
"Oh no Chris it's okay I don't want to bother you." She began to go on a tangent
"Nala it's me, you know I'd do anything for you." I said tilting her chin up to look at me
She blushed looking away quickly. I grabbed her hand leading her across the street to where my car is. I open the door for her making sure she Ms settled before getting in on the driver's side.
We made small talk on the way back. Mostly about where I was staying now and what I was going to do for work. I was going to continue my personal training but for athletes in recovery.
"I can walk you to your dorm." I offered opening her door for her
"It's fine. Thanks for everything tonight I really appreciate it." She smiled
She reached up wrapping her arms around me as I did the same around her waist embracing her tightly. Pulling away slowly we made steady eye contact. I leaned in and she moved her head making my kiss land on her forehead.
"Goodnight." She said walking off
I wonder why she pulled away from our kiss. I get that she's not ready for a relationship and it ain't no pressure behind that but she ain't never rejected my kiss.
Was it because of that dude she was training with?
"Don't start this jealousy shit Chris." I said to myself in an effort to ease my thoughts
My mind couldn't help but go there though. I had to find out more about her little training partner.
