The following day was the longest day of my life, I didn’t hear anything my professors were saying I kept thinking about seeing Lance later. I haven’t spoken to Chris since I left his apartment last night, he texted and called me but I felt so guilty that I couldn’t answer.
“You ok Kendra?” I heard a voice say. “What?” I glanced up from my book and saw Sheryl, my lab partner staring at me with a weird look. “I’m sorry” I said “what did you say?” “I said do you want to meet up tomorrow and write our lab report?” she said closing her text book and standing up from the table we were sitting at in the middle of the courtyard. “Oh yeah sure, you can come over my place I’ll be off work by 6” I informed her. “Ok I’ll see you tomorrow. You sure you ok K?” she asked looking concerned. “Yeah I’m good girl just thinking about this damn chemistry test” I said trying my hardest to offer her a reassuring smile. She laughed “Girl you always worry then end up with an A, chill ok.”
After my last class I decided to give Chris a call, I felt bad for ignoring him all day, he didn’t do anything wrong. The phone rang a few times and Chris answered, “Babe you ok?” he said sounding concern. “Hey babe, I’m sorry I left my phone at home today cause I was in such a rush, I just got back to my apartment” I lied. I could hear the relief in his voice “Oh ok don’t worry about it baby. What you doing now?” he said “I’m about to take a quick nap before my study group tonight. I’m exhausted” I said and my chest felt tight, I hated lying to Chris like this. “Alright well text me when you wake up ok? I’m on my way to basketball practice” he said in an understanding voice that made me feel even guiltier. “Um ok, bye baby” I said and clicked the end button.
I went upstairs to my room and I flopped on the bed. I set an alarm to wake me up at 6:30 to get ready for dinner and I closed my eyes. I could not sleep, every time I tried all I saw was Lance! I saw Lance holding my hands, Lance kissing me, Lance touching me, LANCE, LANCE, LANCE! “Ugh” I grunted and pulled a pillow over my head. I don’t know when I dozed off but I jumped to the sound of my alarm. I woke up and lazily walked to the shower.
I emerged from the shower wrapped in a fluffy white towel, I plugged in my flat iron and walked back into my room. I looked through my closet and finally decided on a high-low cream dress with a thin brown belt and nude wedges. I picked up the gold Necklace my mom gave me last Christmas and fastened it around my neck. I walked to the sink and stared at my reflection, I usually hated makeup but today I added a little bit of foundation, eye shadow, mascara, and red lipstick. I straightened my now shoulder length hair and pinned it to one side. I really don’t know why I put so much effort into my look today but after checking the mirror one last time, I was ready. I looked at my phone and saw that it was 7:46, Lance would be here any minute.
I walked downstairs to the living room and sat on the couch waiting on Lance. “Damn girl you look good” Nala said coming from the kitchen. I gave her a weak smile “Thanks.” “Going on a date with Chris?” she asked and a smile spread across her face “No actually my friend is in town for a few days and we’re having dinner” I said trying to keep it short. “Oh ok well you look beautiful, have fun” she said and headed back upstairs. As if right on cue, there was a knock on the door. “Here we go” I said to myself and stood up.
I opened the door and found Lance standing with a smile on his face. I can’t believe that after all this time, seeing him still made my heart skip. “Hi” I said stepping aside so he could come in. He walked in and immediately grabbed me into a hug and placed a kiss on my cheeks “Damn baby I missed you” he said pulling back to look at me “and you look amazing” he said. “Um thanks you do too” I said and he did. Lance wore dark blue jeans and a long sleeve purple button down shirt, he had on black dress shoes and black rimmed, square glasses. Lance looked more than good, he looked fucking sexy. FUCK.
“Ready to go?” he asked. I grabbed my purse from the counter and walked out the door with him following. We got in his car and we drove in silence for the first couple of minutes “You look so good Kendra” Lance said glancing over at me “I really did miss you.” “Uh huh” I said and turned my head towards the window. Lance picked up my left hand with the hand that wasn’t driving and lifted it to his lips to place a kiss, “Lance stop” I said trying to pull away but he held a firm grip. He then laced his fingers with mine and put it on my lap and this time, I didn’t pull away.
We arrived at a beautiful restaurant about fifteen minutes later and Lanced walked to the passenger side of the car and opened my door. “My friend told me this Brazilian grille is the best place in town” he said grabbing my hand once more. “Yeah and the most expensive” I said looking up at the high ceilings, low lit light beautiful paintings on the wall. He laughed a low laugh “It’s nothing.”
After we ordered our food I noticed Lance staring at me “what?” I asked. “You are just so beautiful Kendra” he said “how’s everything?” I took a sip of my lemonade “fine.” He smiled and again my heart nearly melted “Fine? That’s all I get?” he asked. “Well what do you want to know?” I said. “How’s school? How’s your family? How’s your boyfriend?” he asked all at once. I sighed “fine, fine, and fine” I said. Our food came and I started focusing on my plate to avoid eye contact with Lance. “So you do have a man?” he asked staring at me. “Hmm hmm” I said taking a bite out of my food “his name is Chris.” He looked a little disappointed “So tell me about Chris why aren’t you with him tonight? Does he know you’re here?” “Lance can we please not talk about my personal life? I’m here because you asked to see me. And no he doesn’t know I’m here and I’d like to keep it that way” I said. He smiled “whatever you say baby.” “And don’t call me baby!” I said a little too loudly.
We ate in silence for a few minutes. “Are you going to fucking tell me why I’m here?” I said annoyed. He looked at me confused “To eat?” “Don’t be funny Lance why did you call me?” I asked calmer this time. He sighed “Honestly Kendra, I miss you so much. I know I hurt you and I am so sorry but I still think about you.” All of the sudden my appetite was gone, “Lance please don’t do this” I pleaded tears starting to form. “You ready to go?” he asked and I nodded. He motioned the waiter over and paid the bill then we left the restaurant.
The drive to my apartment was a quiet one, Lance picked up my hand again and I just sat there numb. I can’t believe I agreed to this, I should’ve known I wasn’t over him and now he’s all I could think about. My phone buzzed and I pulled my hand from Lance and saw a message from Chris ‘hey babe I know you studying but I missed you today. Come over tomorrow for lunch k?’ I suddenly had a knot in my stomach ‘I will, I’ll see you tomorrow baby.’ After I put my phone back in my purse I noticed Lance looking at me “the boyfriend?” he asked “worry about yourself” I said. He laughed and shook his head.
We got back to my place and I looked over at Lance “thanks for the food” I said opening the door. “Kendra” he said grabbing my arms, I turned around and his lips were on mine. At first it was sweet and soft then he became more urgent as he tried to open my mouth with his. I hesitated then kissed him back. After I few seconds I pulled away “Lance don’t do this to me” I said “I have a boyfriend.” He sighed and put his hand on his head “Kendra I’m sorry but I can’t get you out of my head. I reached over and placed a hand on top of his “you hurt me” I said. He looked at me a sad expression on his face “I know.” “You lied to me” I said now tears streaming down my face, he reached up and wiped them “I know” he said. “I loved you” I said trying hard to stop the tears, this time he grabbed my face and came close. He was inches away and I could feel his breath on me “I know” he said and then he was kissing me again and this time I didn’t stop him.
Lance and I kissed for at least 10 minutes in the car, it started out slow then it became more aggressive, it’s like we’ve both been craving each other and we couldn’t get enough. When we finally stopped he looked at me “Kendra you know I loved you too right? I still love you” I sighed “I know.” And I walked out of the car and into my apartment with tears streaming down my face.
