Double dippin

Invitation to trouble

Alyssa was getting ready for yet another date with Joseph. They have been talking consistently for almost ten months. But the closer it got to year the shadier he got. He seemed to always be busy these days. Phone calls short and dates far and few in between. Alyssa was beginning to think that this wouldn't be solidified hell they hadn't had the conversation about being exclusive. Alyssa thinks back to the last time she even hinted about exclusivity.
"I am not the type of woman who assumes her man is only hers, without some form of confirmation."
"Ha, ha, ha. What is that supposed to mean?"
" It means that if you don't clearly ask me to be in an exclusively monogamous relationship I am going to assume that you are dating and that I am free to do the same."
"That's silly. I'm with you you are with me."
"Yes that is our current regional proximity but that isn't a definition in what we are doing."
"If I just told you that I am with you. What are we really talking about?" He asked with an attitude.
"I have been this road before. I want to be sure that we are on the same page and you seem to be catching an attitude."
"You seem to want to pick and argument."
"What?! No argument I want you to ask me to be your girl formally. Not say I here with you. You here with me. We aren't kids we need clear definitions and understandings."
"Y'all women stay doing extra."
"Y'all women huh!?"
"You know what I meant."
"Babes I think I am going to go home."
"Tell me you not mad Lele."
"I'm not mad."
"You sure?"
"Yeah gotta get body clock realigned."
"Okay then. I drive you."

Joseph drove her home that night. Conversation was kept light and friendly but she felt the difference between them. That was almost three weeks ago. In that time he managed to cancel their weekly date and phone calls that were once 4-6 times a day have dwindled down to maybe once day or a text message.

Just then Alyssa phone rang shaking her thoughts.
"State your beef." Alyssa replied after picking up the familiar ringtone.
"Filet mignon. The sexiest juiciest piece there is."
"Ha ha ha. I can't with you. What's good with you Jay?"
"Everything is different and the same all together." Alyssa replied to her best friend Jacqueline. She was 5' 7" curvy thick Latina with a spicy attitude to match. They had met in college when Jacqueline was in full transformation of the person her father had forced her to be. She cut her once long hair into an asymmetrical bob and currently it is dyed blonde with red highlights. The moment they became roommates it was a friendship destined to last til the end of time. Jay always seemed to know what Alyssa was thinking before Alyssa said it. Jay was a little bit harder to pinpoint but Alyssa understood her and knew how to navigate through her emotions.
"Stop obsessing over some conversation with that jerk."
"One I am not obsessing. Two he ain't a jerk."
"Did he start acting funny after y'all started having sex?"
"Yes, but..."
Before she could finish her statement. Jay was already speaking again. "See that is why you gotta wait the full 90 days."
"90 days or not if a man is a jerk. He will be a jerk regardless."
"Ugh, I'm not about to argue with you. Put ya freak 'em dress on we are going out."
"Okay have fun on your date then."
Just then a text message came in on Alyssa's phone.
"Babes. I am sorry but I have to postpone our date. Work has me doing cartwheels and backflips. I know I have been horrible. But I will make it up to you promise. Please don't be mad."
Alyssa stared at the message completely forgetting that Jay was on the phone.
"Hello. Hello!!!"
"Yeah. I'm here. What time I gotta be ready by?"
"I thought that you had..."
Alyssa cuts her off, "I asked what time didn't I?"
"Oh wee. Imma make sure I don't piss in your cornflakes. I will have my uber come pick you up by like 1030"
Alyssa looked at the time it was already 8.
"Ugh. That is not enough time to figure out what wear, hair and makeup."
"Shut up. How about you start with hem dresses at still have price tags in them.
"I don't even know how you talked me into buying those things."
"Shut up. They look sexy on you. Go start the process.
"Fine. Don't be late because I will definitely hook up with Ben and Jerry."
"You know damn well they don't do nothing but be all up in your ass."
"Alright Imma go start this process."
"Yeah you do that. Because if I have to dress you myself you will not sit in this house obsessing. Hot salami."
"Con bacon," Alyssa responded back.

Alyssa opened her closet and began to search.
"Imma start with the shoes. Because I need to be comfy and I know Jay is not letting me leave without heels on."
After checking 8 boxes and and trying to decide between 5 shoes. Alyssa had managed to narrow it down to 2 shoes. One was a strappy black and red pumps. The second was a wedged heel that had hints of red with a peep toe. Knowing Jackie there will be lots of walking and or dancing so Alyssa opted for the wedges.
"Okay, now on to the dress. Think Imma keep it simple and just wear this black bandage dress."
After another half hour of make up and hair. Alyssa finished just as she heard Jackie raining her phone and banging on her door simultaneously.
"Yyyyyyeeeeeaaaaaasssss mami. Muy caliente. Damn I might just send the driver home and take you upstairs."
"Shut up. You play all the way too much."
Alyssa gave her friend a little twirl. She ended up settling on the black bandage dress that literally hugged every curve she had. The red was played up with her shoes, necklace that dropped right in the middle of her breast. This week she had a curly bob that was highlighted varying shades of an red that was almost ombré pinned up a little so she could showcase her earrings that curved up her ear.
"So long as you know you come up stairs we watching a csi marathon."
"Sike. Get ya ass in this car."
The minute she gets in Jackie hands her a bottle.
"Aren't we too old to pregame?"
"What?! Never that."
They pass the bottle back and forth.
"Wait did you get permission to go out tonight?"
"Permission?! I'm a grown ass woman."
"Hurricane brewing off the coast of paradise island?"

Just then Alyssa got a text.

"Hey you didn't respond. Did you get my first text? I'm really sorry and promise to make it up to you."

"Ugh. Let me respond to this text girl."
"You do you and Imma do me." She texted back.

"Ohh baby." Jackie said as she read the text conversation. "You know a message like that means you will get a phone call."
"He not gonna call. He working that's why he don't have time for a date."
"Okay. Phone call in 5, 4, 3, 2 . . ."
Just then Chris Brown and Usher new flame plays through the speakers of the phone.
"You such a jinx." She whispers as answering the phone.
"How may I help you?"
"You mad at me aren't you?"
"Why? Would I be?"
"Come on with the sarcasm."
"If you knew it would be sarcasm why would you call."
"I don't want you to be mad at me."
"Then stop doing things to make me mad."
"I am not doing it on purpose."
"Well it is what it is. I'm hanging out with Jackie. Talk to you later." Without even waiting for his response she hung up the phone and put it on silent.
"Oh baby you mad at him that means lots of fun for me."
"Girl cut it out. Where are we going anyway?"
"Well first is the rooftop lounge, then mini concert, then reggae club, then French fries."
"I don't know about the concert but the rest sounds popping."
"Aight let's go driver. You're in for a great night."