one night stand.

two

Amber sped into the conference room and snagged her seat next to Devante, He smiled as she placed her portfolio on the table and waved. She had always admired Devante. His brown skin, The top fade he kept from high school, that million dollar smile, and that god damn attitude that he took from his brother. Amber always told herself to take that chance before somebody else did but she was beat by his girlfriend, Laysha. At least Laysha treated him the best she could and fed him.

Life would've been beautiful if she had stuck by her words in high school. She's a changed woman with a professional mindset and a future to look forward to.

"Devante, Please introduce your work in progress to the group." Their boss announced as she gave the floor to him and took a seat at the end.

Amber watched as he stood from the table and placed the project on the screen. She observed how he held his hands together displaying his jewelry, A wedding ring definitely would look pretty on his hand. She let herself daydream as he went into depth of how the process worked and what needed to be done before he called her up.

"My lovely partner, Amber Jackson, is soon to be apart of this project once everything works out."

She awkwardly smiled and put her hand over her head to hide her shyness while he just chuckled and continued talking about the project. The adrenaline pumped in her heart as she pretended to flip through her portfolio and prepared for herself to present next. Devante nodded as he stepped aside and left space for her to stand next to him, She witnessed his hand slide onto her lower back and move her closer to him. Butterflies began forming in her stomach as she felt his hands play with the stands of her hair as she took a deep breath.

"For my portion of the project, I suggested that we have a small wine tasting while auctioneers explore the gallery. I'm still working on finding a venue and a brand to collaborate with, but everything will work out in the end." Amber offered as she opened her portfolio and passed the notes around the table.

The team seemed pleased with her decision and gave her a round of applause. Their boss stood to her feet and extended a hand shake to Amber. Devante clapped along as he watched Amber's face light up with joy. He knew she could convince the team with her idea had she stopped doubting herself.

"I told you it would work out in the end." Devante teased as he bumped her elbow with his.

She whisper a Thank You to him and allowed her smile to grow huge as the team welcomed her and extended congratulations to her. Amber thought the idea would be a fail and thought they'd shove her idea in the garbage or hand it off as their own. Devante pulled Amber into a hug and squeezed her tighter than usual, He loved her floral scent but was afraid to tell her. Something about her warmth and her curly hair in his face made him forget everything.

"Hold on, You squeezing me a little tight! Don't you got a girlfriend at home?" Amber taunted as she tried to removed herself from his grip.

"Yeah but I want to enjoy this moment right here and congratulate you." he spoke back, finally letting her go.

The two smiled once more before going their separate ways, Amber stared as Devante drove off in his Honda civic while she rung Chyna to catch her up on what just happened. Chyna was busy painting her toes white as she watched the phone ring. Her apartment looked as if it belonged in Essence Magazine. The white walls, Bedazzled decor, Huge screen TV, and a kitchen island to die for. She worked hard for the place but the job she currently had wasn't it, Constantly listening to customers scream in her ear about a broken phone. Just get it fixed, She always told them on the line while they screamed for a manager. Chyna finally picked up the phone and sighed into it.

"What is your problem now girl?" She shouted.

"I want that man so bad." Amber whined. "You should've seen the way this man held me and the words that rolled off the tip of his tongue."

"You must want that man's girlfriend to fuck you up." Chyna laughed into the phone. "Leave that man alone and focus on your future, You don't need no man to run how your live provides."

"You're absolutely right, but can we get into the new cologne he had on today?" She begged.

Amber knew him better than her own best friends; What he liked, What he disliked, His favorite food, His signature scent, His act of love. She'd do anything just to have this man in the palm of her hand. Maybe a little too much but she still had feelings for him unlike no other. Devante was the man she had dreamt of and crafted perfectly in her brains, It was just his man-whore attitude. He'd go to parties picking up chicks like some type of hot shot celebrity. That was before he settled down but he still had that same smug smile on his face when he was jealous or either couldn't get what he wanted. Amber found it hot in a way but still criticized him for it.

"Remember in High school when you dated Daniel Washington for a year and thought he was too much for you?" Chyna laughed. "I wonder if he's still fine."

"I haven't spoken to him since college, Hope life's treating him well." Amber shrugged as she entered the taxi and nodded to the driver.

Daniel Washington, The typical football player everybody wanted in High school, Amber had to admit he was fine in his prime but times changed and the two grew distant. It's not like she kept tabs on him and was on his phone wondering where he been. He probably got some thot girlfriend laid up in his bed as she speaks on him. Maybe got a baby mama on the side, She don't know. Whatever the case was, She hoped he moved onto better things and isn't worried about her at all. The moments when he would take her on late night drives and play old-school rnb, took her first kiss, and took her virginity. She thought he was the perfect one but he lacked in some areas, leading to their break up. He didn't provide the emotional support she needed but he still stood by her side when needed. It just wasn't right.

It wouldn't hurt to try again but she had better and bigger things to do.

"Anywhere special? You're all dressed up like you got somewhere to be." the driver asked as he glanced into the mirror.

"No sir, I had just came back from work and was in charge of presenting my idea today." Amber replied.

He chuckled and watched as she dug in her purse for some cash, Luckily she had kept a couple dollar bills on her when needed. She handed him a twenty and exited the taxi to her apartment building. There she ran into the man from earlier, He stood taller and was surprised to see her presence again.

"We meet again. How many times are we going to keep running into each other?" he bugged. "Are you stalking me?"

"Fuck no. I'm not gonna do this corny shit with you all day." Amber complained as she tried to push past him. "Move around before I do it for you."

"I see you, being feisty and everything." he laughed and poked at her. "Being all independent and shit."

Amber used force and pushed him to the side for the elevator, She gave him the finger as the doors closed in front of her leaving him to stand there playing by himself.