DARREN
THE SUN BEGINS to set in my review and I’m trying to hurry because I can't stand looking for new places when it's dark out. I’m on my way to Kaiden’s side of town when I see she sent me a text. I immediately roll my eyes in frustration because I'm assuming she canceled our date while I’m on my way to get her. Chill my guy, you don’t even know what this is, stupid. I really want this to happen; It’s been a few years since I’ve gotten over, well, never mind. But I really think it’s time to move forward and be open to the possibility that every woman isn't after the same thing, but we will see. I hit a stoplight, read the message, and I'm relieved. I reply and keep making my way down the highway, more excited than ever.
I pull up to her apartment and I’m more confused by the lane direction than the woman using gorilla glue on her hair. Twisting and turning in circles, I finally find her building, pull my car into a space, and thank the lord that I made it on time. I sit for a minute trying to decide if I should text her about my arrival or if I should meet her at her door. I mean she was already iffy about me picking her up, so I don’t want to press my luck even more than I already have. Regardless, I decide to be a gentleman and get out because, manners. By the time I’ve checked my interior for cleanliness and my fit for swag, I hear the light tap of heels making their way towards me. Wow.
Her head buried in her phone gives me more time to collect my senses, because I'm about to lose it with her looking that damn good. But I fail, seeing that my heart is beating unusually fast and I can't control the simplest facial expressions. I’m sure my chin is touching my chest at this point and it's profoundly embarrassing. Get it together. Attempting to fix my demeanor, I straighten up hoping she didn’t see any of that shit.
Her silky cream dress falls on every curve and crevice and I’m simply taken aback by how beautiful she looks tonight. She’s wearing sparkling stilettos to match and gold jewelry that compliments her chocolate skin. Trying to keep her hair from flowing against the wind, she whips her curls around to her other shoulder, still having to remove a few strands from her red lipstick. She's only a few steps away now, when I realize I had been drooling watching her effortlessly glide across the cobblestone. Moving closer, I hit the ‘Biden jog’ to help her off the curb. My attention hasn't broken since I first laid eyes on her, but she finally looks up, greeting me with a smile. At this point I’m locked in and I don’t care if she knows. She reaches for a hug and I sink into her arms without hesitation.
“Hi,” she whispers in my ear.
I take in the smell of her coconut conditioner wrapped around her pillow soft coils and the warm scent of her perfume. Her hair travels down towards the small of her back and I stop before my eyes land on… well you know. For a moment I forget where I am, and I allow myself to continue holding her. My eyes shoot open when I realize that I've held on too damn long so I back away, hands held in mine, taking in her presence.
“Hi…,” I say softly.
“...you look stunning tonight.”
“Thank you, you look good yourself,” She compliments me without hesitation.
I’m silent again; but out of pure admiration for what I got standing right in front of me. Say something, ANYTHING, Darren!
“So. . . should we get going?” she suggests, interrupting my thought.
“Yes, yes, of course,” stuttering like an idiot.
“Let me get your door.”
I walk around to the other side after helping her in my ride. I lift my head in praise, smiling at God for the blessing that has just rained upon me. Adjusting myself, after giving thanks in silence, I slide into the car, and turn on some smooth tunes as background noise.
“So now can I know where we’re going?” She exclaims in excitement.
I shake my head no.
“You’ll see…”
We’ve been driving for a while now and the exchange of words has been scarily minimal. She seems to be distracted but I’m not sure if she's using her phone to calm her nerves from first date jitters or if she’s just out right bored. I try to spark a little conversation with some lighthearted jokes, but her mind seems to be elsewhere and to be quite frank I’m getting really tired of trying to kill the silence between us. She clicks what seems to be the last couple of keys to finish her task and tucks her phone away in her purse. Finally.
She looks up at me and gives me an awkward smile and I’m sure she’s confused on why the ride is taking so long. Smiling back, I give her a small wink to assure her that we’re almost there, but I start to think that maybe I should tell her. Instead, I keep her guessing and remain hopeful that she doesn't view me as some sort of serial killer because this vacant road surrounded by trees seems to be unsettling for her; shit, anybody really. We finally get to the end of a road and I see the gate is closed. I ask the A.I. system in my car to dial Jay and the phone rings for a little while. I look out of my peripheral view and I see Kaiden’s hand on the door handle like she’s ready to launch herself right out the damn vehicle and run for her life. This secret may have been a bad idea. He finally answers the phone for what seems like five seconds too long and I’m relieved.
“Hey bro, what’s up?” Jay screams over the music in the background.
“Hey. The gate is closed. Can you —”
“Oh damn, my bad. . . .” He interrupts. “Give me a moment.”
I don’t have a moment mf! The line goes dead and right before she’s about to say something the gate opens, and I take off through the brass doors. Thank goodness.
The car bends the corner and the lights placed on the trail guides me up the hillside. When we reach the top, she can finally see it. She seems to be satisfied now, because her hands have returned to her lap. The view seems to calm her enough for a smile to reach her eyes, but not yet her lips. She gasps and looks at me to confirm if this is it. Pleased with myself, I grab her hand and hold it in mine as we continue to our destination.