Sweet Rush

Twenty Four

"You're too close to my scalp, Avana." I complain at the blazing sensation on my scalp. She's currently prepping me for my date with Jane. I had just blown out my hair and asked her to throw some wand curls in it. It's the perfect time to do this kind of style since it's a bit chilly and the humidity wouldn't torment me. I have no idea where Jane is taking me, but I just know it's someplace good. I'm hoping it's nowhere super snobbish since being in the midst of the rich isn't necessarily my style.

"You're being dramatic, Malia. It's not that deep, I'm like five inches away from your scalp." I roll my eyes knowing darn well she's about point two inches from my brain. If I do anything embarrassing tonight, I know she's successfully managed to incinerate my brain cells.

I had asked Jane what I should wear and he implied to go with something casual. From the description of my attire, I presume it must be something more easygoing than my fears of a fancy dinner.

"There. All done." Avana puts down the wand and I take in my reflection in the mirror. The voluminous curls frame my heart shaped face perfectly, almost like a barbie doll. The canvas of my lips are painted over with candy-apple red lipstick which contrasts nicely with my deep skin tone.

"It's lovely." I hug, Avana thanking her for her great work.

She leaves my room and I pull on dark washed jeans and a dark green knit sweater. I pair it off with black booties that have a bit of a heel and shrug on my black trench coat. November was slowly flirting with December and the winter seemed to care less that we hadn't even reached the end of fall. Jane sends me a message just in time, letting me know he's outside my door. Honestly, I expected him to stay in his car and let me come down. I guess he's trying to be a gentleman today.

Avana's smile is wider than the Rio de la Plata as I shuffle out of the apartment. I hurry before she can start bouncing off the walls with joy. I shut the door behind me, ending up cladded between the door and Jane from him standing too close to the entrance.

Yeah my brain is fried.

"Sorry, I just had to hurry up and get out of there." I chuckle a bit to justify my awkwardness. His familiar fresh musk makes me inhale much deeper than I normally would. "You smell good. I mean you kinda always do except for when you smoke." Once again my brain fails to keep up with my mouth, resulting in a verbal diarrhea. My face becomes warm after the realization of my brazen comments being said out loud.

"Thanks, good thing I quit." he smirks a little, still planted in the same spot he's been in since I exited my apartment. "You're casual. I thought you'd be more dressed up." He must've seen the slight disappointment in my eyes because he quickly says "You look great like always, it's just that I didn't believe you would be casual because women have a different definition of the word is all I'm trying to get at." he ends, clearing his throat which draws my attention to his Adam's apple that goes back into place when my eyes reach his neck. I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or not.

"Sure." I force a smile, unsure of what to do in the situation. Seems like he has a lot of experience with women.

"Don't be like that Malia." he begs.

"Like what?" My tone is unintentionally tight causing my words to sound much harsher than intended. He probably thinks I'm upset now.

"Like your usual defensive self. Just be open and I may not be perfect but I could use some grace." He places a kiss on my nose and starts walking me out of the lobby by my hand. He leaves no room for a response as my body comes alive at his intimacy and if my shadow had a face, she would be blushing. He opens the door to his car and I sink into the seat I once was in a few weeks ago. Nothing has changed but our dynamic. In contrast to the last time, I'm more comfortable and instead of wanting to rip his face off, this time it's his clothes. If Avana had caught a glimpse of what happened just now, she'd be trying to resuscitate herself.