Fooled by Perfection

Chapter 36: The Proposal

As the days pass, everything goes by as normal. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Dezman stays at my place, and on Thursday he comes to visit me at the boutique. It was a sweet surprise, as he didn't come empty-handed. He brought me a latte from Vinny's with extra love (caramel), just as I like it. Of course, everyone else thought it was sweet as well.

On Friday night, after leaving the boutique, I rushed home because the girls and I had made plans to go home, change, and then meet up for food and drinks at a tavern-style restaurant that was over a half-hour's drive away. It would be our first time getting together outside of work, and with the vibe still being cool with everyone, I didn't mind going.

Once we got to the place, we all sat down at a round booth table. We ordered our drinks, and we made conversation. Dezman called me about twenty minutes after we arrived, but instead of answering, I sent him a text message telling him where I was and that there was music playing kind of loudly. I told him that I was stuck in the middle of the booth as well, so I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to hear him and that I also didn't want to be the one in and out, as I'd already gotten up to use the restroom once since we'd gotten there.

He texted me back, saying it was cool and that he didn't want anything important. He said that he just wanted to know if I was ready to get my tattoo done tomorrow night. I thought about the text for a moment while internally laughing to myself because he seemed a little too ready to put me through torture. I really did want it, and I really did want him to do it, so I texted him back that I'm ready.

As the night went on, I was having a really good time hanging out with everyone. We were having lots of laughs, and we had started talking with some of the other patrons that were there. Everyone was so friendly. An older gentleman even came up to our table and asked if anyone of us would like to dance, and one of the girls said yes, so the rest of us sat, watched from the booth, and giggled at the cuteness of them out on the dance floor as we ate our food.

When we were ready to leave, we left a generous tip on the table, and we made plans to come back again. On the way home, I call Dezman, but he doesn't answer, and instead he sends me a text saying that he was in the middle of doing something and that he'd call me back when he finished. I found it strange when I had gotten home, taken a shower, and laid in bed for quite some time, and he still hadn't called me back. I didn't bother calling him again because I thought maybe he was doing what Shonda had told me about for Doc, but then I became worried at the thought of it because what if something went wrong? I decided I'd send Shonda a text to see if she could tell me if that's where he was.

-Hey, are Dezman and Teek out for Doc right now?

I wasn't expecting her to call me instead of texting me back.

"Hello?"

*Shonda*

Hey, be careful how you word shit in the text. Just in case.

*Ciana*

Oh. I'm sorry.

*Shonda*

You're good.

*Ciana*

"So, should we not talk right now?"

She tells me to hold on. She comes back about a minute later.

*Shonda*

We're good. I just had to go check real quick. Teek is still in the living room. I'm not next to him. He's waiting on Dezman so that they can go to Doc's.

*Ciana*

So, where's Dezman?

*Shonda*

I don't know, but Teek told me he was on his way now. Call him.