Cocktail Dreams

Chapter 5: Risky Feelings

Three days had passed since I'd seen Taraji in the grocery store. She'd been all up in my head since that quick run-in, her laugh, that smirk, the way she'd looked at me. And I knew I needed to see her again. Funny how that worked, how she could have that kind of effect without even trying.

After I finally ended things with Keyshia and cut her off for good, I felt like I'd finally left all that weight behind me. And when I thought about moving forward, somehow, my thoughts kept landing back on Taraji, which was wild because we hadn't even exchanged numbers. I just have Instagram handles and a couple of DMs over the past few days.

I opened up the app, scrolling back through our last messages. It was mostly light, with some jokes and little comments on her stories, but every time I'd catch her online, I couldn't help but want more than just DMs. It felt strange, even a little high school-ish, reaching out like this, but whatever. I shot her a message anyway.

Fantasia Barrino: Aight, I think it's time we stop playin' on here. Give me your number, Taraji. I don't bite... much 😜

I waited a few minutes, a little more anxious than I'd admit, scrolling back and forth to see if she'd read it yet. Then, my phone lit up.

Taraji P. Henson: Only because you asked so nicely 🙂‍↕️

I shook my head, chuckling. She dropped her number, and I felt a small spark of excitement like I'd cracked a code. She had this energy that drew me in, even though it was just a text, and I liked that she never made it too easy. It was like she wanted me to work for it just a little bit, keep the mystery alive.

After saving her number, I didn't even hesitate before I called. I wasn't about to wait and play the back-and-forth text game—not with her.

It rang a few times, and then I heard her voice on the other end, smooth as hell and just the slightest bit amused. "Look at you, using up my phone battery already. Ain't even given it a chance to rest."

I laughed, easing back onto the couch. "Nah, I wasn't about to wait around for you to hit me back. Gotta secure my spot before you get any funny ideas."

She laughed, and I could picture that mischievous smile I'd seen at the store. "Oh, so I'm out here giving you ideas, huh?"

"Somethin' like that," I replied. "Besides, I had to make sure you're still as fine over the phone as you are in person."

She let out a small, playful scoff. "Please, you already know I don't come with any surprises. But you? Showing up out of nowhere at the grocery store... I wasn't ready for that at all."

"Oh, you weren't ready? That's funny, 'cause I remember that cute little pink Nike Tech fit you had on—the way those pants were hugging that ass, looked like you came ready for an audience."

She laughed again, and I could feel her relax a little through the phone. "What can I say? I dress to impress." There was a pause, and then she added, "But you had me thinkin' you were someone else at first."

"Mmm...whoever you thought it was, tell them that you belong to me now," I said, and she went quiet, letting that line sink in. "I thought about texting you right after I got home, you know. But I wasn't about to slide in your DMs looking thirsty."

She laughed at that. "Oh, so you're saying you're not thirsty, huh?"

I paused, grinning, and finally gave in. "Maybe just a little, but I ain't no fool either. I like to think I'm worth a sip or two."

"Good to know you've got a little modesty," she teased, but her voice softened more serious this time. "I'm glad you called, though."

I leaned back, letting myself settle into the moment. "Me too. I mean, look, I just... I feel like we had a good vibe, you know? Like, I didn't think I'd still be thinking about you three days later."