Cherish [GirlxGirl]

Chapter 3

I met him on Monday. After the dinner, after the party with Cherish, after an awkward moment shared at my front door, I met him. A complication. Not initially but eventually and I hated anything that made my life harder than it needed to be.

His name was Terrell. The closest to my perfect man I'd ever come across. Tall, slim, shaved head but a thick beard that made him look older than the 30 years he claimed. His skin; dark and smooth as an arabica bean. His smile, endearing and equal to his personality. He was sweet although I thought nothing much when I first saw him; just another well dressed black man standing in a line but he drew me in from our first conversation.

It's funny how life, the universe, god or whatever you choose to call it sets things in motion. We met in the 99 convenience store on the south coast and I was 20 cents short of my total. He didn't lead with a line, he never tried to hit on me, he simply paid the difference, smiled and told me to have a nice day.

I thanked him, then left but we happened into each other later that night as I was sitting at The Blue Room with Alexis. Moreso, he walked over to me when he recognised me from the store. I remembered him too. Alexis and I were sitting in the outer section of the bar, facing the road and the hotel across the road. He walked in accompanied by two other males, both of whom took up residence inside, at one of the tables, in front of the television and barely looked in his direction until except in commercial breaks.

We sat, the three of us, at a long wooden table and got to know each other. I liked his presence mostly. He was quietly confident. He saw no need to try to impress me with what he had or his status, he focused the conversation on Alexis and I. Most importantly there was no adverse reaction to finding out that Alexis was in a committed relationship with a female. Instead, he asked us if we knew his sister, and explained how she always said the community was so small you could easily end up with your ex's ex and never know until your new girlfriend pointed it out. We had never met his sister, not by name at least.

Alexis could tell my attraction to him was reciprocated and I watched her glance back and forth between us for most of the interaction. She stayed silent about it however, quietly judging me for flirting with him so boldly. Knowing her as I did I knew it wasn't because he was male but because I could so easily be into him now and quickly move on to someone else in a matter of weeks. I enjoyed short term. Short term was easier and more convenient and I liked convenience. I liked replaceable. Especially with the type of men that were drawn to me, the settle down type. The ones looking for commitment and family. The ones that met me and thought they could change me, tame me, or turn me into a housewife in a few short months if only I would give them the chance.

Our chat had gone on for nearly two hours, when his friends came to join him, letting him know he was there to watch a basketball game not meet women. He sighed as they spoke, turning to me to apologise for their rudeness.

Alexis had long excused herself by then, going off to one side to have a lengthy "discussion" with her partner over the phone. I had no idea what was going on with them but I could tell from her body language it was a lot more than any regular discussion they were having. They were definitely arguing and that much arguing was out of character for their relationship and not a good sign.

She was off the phone by the time I got up to leave and stood nearby grinning as I scribbled my number on the back of his hand.

"Shut up" I said as we walked to the carpark at the back. The wicked smile on her face let me know she was about to comment on what she'd seen.

"I just looked at you." She responded as she tried to feign innocence.

"It's the type of look." I said reaching for the passenger side door.

"What look?"

"That look" I said watching her over the top of her Subaru. "The same sneaky ass look you're wearing on your face right now."

She chuckled loudly as she got into the car. "I don't ever have any sneaky ass looks, ever."

I sucked my teeth loudly and closed the door. "Anyway, what's going on with you and Georgie."

"Ugh," she made a disgusted noise and started the engine. "Don't get me started. She's just being a bitch and worrying about everything. Called my ass complaining about this being my third night out. The first two were with her believe it or not."

She sucked her teeth again but said nothing else about Georgie. "What's up with you and Cherish?"

I shifted in my seat slightly and hoped she hadn't noticed. "Nothing's up with us."

"That's odd. You seemed a lil annoyed with her the other night. Especially when that waitress started flirting with her."

I shook my head vigorously. Our waitress and any interactions she'd had with Cher were the least of my concerns. I was more annoyed by her lateness and secrecy. Now I was worried that Alex was aware of what had happened. It seemed she was clueless, and she would remain that way until I sorted out my own thoughts about it.

"The waitress was cute." I admitted. "Kinda young but I can't deny her attractiveness."

I let the conversation drift off from there, glad that Alexis was hadn't realised I avoided Cher as a topic. Thankful too that Cherish hadn't brought up what happened with anyone else.

I sighed heavily as we reached my apartment, thanked Alexis for the night out and made my way to my door. The lights were off upstairs and it wasn't even midnight yet. Most likely Cherish wasn't home and I was glad. For one more night I could avoid the difficult conversation we were due to have . The universe had gifted me one more night so I could collect my thoughts.