...
"Nat, were you able to reach her," Zay asked after looking around the house for Samara.
"Yeah. I just got off the phone with her. She said she's outside. Imma go grab Mena and just meet y'all at the car."
"Aight. Bet. See you outside," Zay said to Natalie just before disappearing into the crowd.
..
Samara's friends propped themselves up on her car as they grew impatient waiting for her. Zay checked his phone for the second time. "Man it's after two in the morning. Where she at? I'm ready to go."
Beside him Natalie yawned, "Me too."
A good distance away Samara had just gotten out of Jules' car and was now speed walking to her own. "They gon' kill me," she mumbled to herself.
"Finally," Mena said when she saw Samara coming into view. She started moving towards her, taking the initiative to meet her halfway. "Girl what took you so long," she asked hooking her arm in hers. "It's cold out here."
"I know. I'm Sorry," Samara replied sincerely. She rushed up to the car and greeted Zay and Natalie. She apologized earnestly to them and quickly clicked the key fob to unlock the car.
"Where'd you go? We saw you and that girl get into it and then we looked up again and you were gone," Natalie inquired. Samara slid into the passenger seat and handed Zay, who was now sitting in the driver's seat, the keys. She reached over and pulled the car door shut.
"I just needed to get some air."
"I don't buy it," Mena grinned. "What's his name?"
Samara looked back at Mena in amusement. "Who?" she teased.
Mena laughed. "The guy you were dancing with earlier a.k.a the guy you just left. Duh."
Samara tried to hide her smile as she turned around in the passenger seat to address everyone at once. "Look. Y'all know that I am fresh out of a relationship and I'm not trynna jump into anything new. So, please don't hype this up. Just give me space to just enjoy where ever this goes."
"Mmhm. We gotchu. So what's his name?" Mena pried again. "You left that part out."
Samara laughed. "Jules, and that's all y'all finna get outta me tonight," she said turning back around to face the front.
Mena laughed. "Girl, please. I'd be dun found his Instagram, his favorite color, his childhood pet name, and the last four digits of his social by this afternoon, all while you still trynna figure out his last name. You know I ain't waiting on you to tell me a damn thing."
"Fa real," Natalie chuckled. "You don't be wuntin' ta know information fast enough fa me," she teased.
"Guys I'm not worried about that right now. It's not like I'm expecting a commitment or anything."
"So why are you entertaining him," Mena questioned. "I thought you were the date-to-marry type."
"Boredom," Zay offered, "Or because of the lack of sex," he smirked. "I know Rico wasn't handling it right."
Samara reached over and hit him on the chest. "You talk too much," she giggled. "And those are not my reasons." Natalie and Mena chuckled in the backseat.
Zay took a brief glance at her before returning his attention back to the road. "Then what is?"
Samara looked up in the air as if searching for her answer. "Pure...curiosity. Intrigue." She shrugged her shoulders. "And honestly, he just seems like a lot of fun."
"Well, if he got any friends that you think look like "fun" hook me and Nat up," Mena joked.
"Uh, speak for yourself," Nat replied innocuously. "I'm good over here boo."
"Hold up Nat. You seeing somebody and didn't tell us, your girls," Samara asked jocularly.
"Y'all know I love y'all like family. I just like to keep my dating life private when it's new. It's nothing personal," she reassured them. "Listen, when the time is right introductions will be made," Natalie winked. "Promise."
"Girl, you don't owe us an explanation," Mena smiled.
"Cuz that's my business," Natalie said mimicking Tabitha Brown's popular tag line. Everyone in the car laughed.
..
Two exits and a pit stop later, they finally arrived back to the campus apartments. Natalie and Mena, both tired and tipsy, were the first to leave. They said their goodbyes and headed back to their respective places for the night. When Samara finally turned to leave Zay pulled her aside and asked her to stick around a little longer.
"What's on your mind Zay?" Samara asked as she pulled her jacket taut. "You ready to profess your love for me or what," she joked.
"Aha. I see you got jokes Mar," Zay chuckled. He playfully shoved her. Samara laughed and snatched the wool beanie from off of his head. Zay reached out for his cap, but Samara didn't budge. She simply smiled and pulled it down on top of her head.
"It looks good on you," Zay complimented before pulling her in closer to brush a strand of her hair back into place.
With her arms now wrapped around his waist for extra warmth, Samara looked up at him and grinned. "Thanks. I think I'll keep it." Zay shook his head and smiled. "So. What's up," Samara prodded. "Everything good?" She gave Zay a warm smile.
"Yeah. Everything's good," he said rubbing his ear. "I just wanted to talk to you real quick."
"About what?"
"Your new friend."
Samara leaned her head back and smiled. "Who? Jules," she chuckled. Before she could say another word Zay interjected.
"Hear me out," he smiled, "I just want you to be careful, ya know. Be wise. Trust your gut instinct," he cautioned. "I only want the best for you."
"Zay, that's sweet, but I think I'll be alright." Samara smiled up at Zay. "Besides, I already told y'all in the car that I'm not expecting much out of him other than just a good time." Samara fiddled with the zipper on Zay's coat. "Why didn't you say anything in the car? You were quiet about it for most of the ride."
"I just didn't wanna say anything in front of your girls cus I knew they was gonna try to cut me up and shit and say I was doing too much," he laughed, "but you know imma look out for you come hell or high water. You're my best friend. It's in my nature to want to protect your heart."
"Damn it. There you go being sweet again," Samara teased. "How'd I luck up with a best friend like you?" She tightened her embrace around his waist and thanked him. "Love you Zaytavious Jones."
Zay laughed. "That is not my damn name. My parents named me Isaiah Adams."
"Well, no disrespect to your parents, but I think Zaytavious has a better ring to it."
