83. A Late Night & Early Morning 🛏️

I waited outside by the pool. Even though I was excited to see A.B., I was exhausted. I patted my cheeks a few times to keep myself awake. When I heard a car pull up, I peeped around the corner to see A.B. sitting in a black Lexus. It looked so sleek and futuristic. I wouldn't be surprised if he bought it just to flip it. I chuckled at the thought as I made my way over to him.

A.B stepped out the car, dressed as if he just left a very important meeting.

I folded my arms. "Well, look at you, Mr. Bravos."

He mirrored my stance. "I was going to change into something more laidback, but what's your excuse for looking so beautiful, Ms. Sawyer?"

I blushed as I looked down at my outfit. "It's just a simple dress."

I wore a long sleeve, fitted sparkly black dress that came to my ankles. There was a split on the side of my left leg. My shoes were black, strapped heels with a bow around the ankles. I felt cute, but I wasn't trying to do too much.

"I like your new hairstyle, too." A.B. touched my hair as if it were out of place. It was styled in a swoop with a low sleek ponytail. Shoutout to my hairstylist.

I explained, "I had to put Sia wig to rest, but I still got the shades and wear a hat or scarf for the complete Jae A.B. look,."

"I see. Out here looking like Mary J. Blige."

Truthfully, I believe we both dressed up for our first date in forever, but if he wouldn't admit it neither would I. I smacked my lips. "Anyway. Where are we going?"

"Can it be a surprise?" He asked me.

"Maybe." I took a step forward.

A.B. pointed at my exposed leg. "That is not a simple dress."

I smirked, "It's a split. That's it." I walked around the car as A.B. followed me.

He opened the passenger's side. "If you say so."

I got in the car, and he closed my door. "I say so," I mumbled.

A.B. got in the driver's seat. He picked up his phone.

I asked, "Is this your car?"

"A rental," he answered. "Are you ready to get something to eat?"

"I'm starving."

We arrived at a fancy restaurant where we were given our own private room with doors to close. When I saw the menu, I almost said the first word that came to my mind. I slowly looked up at A.B. as he sat across from me. I cleared my throat.

A.B. asked, "Do you know what you want?"

Was it me or did that sound a little seductive? I asked, "Huh? What'cha say?"

A.B. finally looked at me and took a sip of his water. "Know what you want to eat?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I haven't seen you in weeks, and you acting real suspicious. Is this a date?" I boldly asked.

A.B. chuckled, "It can if you want it to be, but what about the other times we went out to eat?"

He had a point, but why stop there? Let's continue to be bold. I asked him, "Do you remember when I was at your house, and you kissed me?"

"Jamie, what do you really want to ask me?"

I flared my nose as I took a deep breath. "That's what I wanted to ask you."

A.B. put his menu down. "Honestly, I wouldn't call it a kiss. It was more like a... a peck."

My face dropped. A peck? I changed the subject. "Are we celebrating something,  because these prices are... up there?"

A.B. stated, "We're celebrating our friendship, Ms. Sawyer."

I took a sip of my water. "I'm watching you, Mr. Bravos. My cousin told me chur--" I took another sip of my water. "My cousin told me to choose wisely."

A.B. shook his head. "Stop looking at the prices and order what you want."

As soon as the words "Caprese Salad" left my mouth, A.B. spoke up and ordered Chicken Marsala, Spaghetti, two Baked Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, and a Kale Salad. I don't know what nation he was trying to feed at 11 o'clock at night, but I was half-past sleep.

"A.B., I'm not going to eat all that food."

"You can take it home. Have it for lunch tomorrow."

Smart. When our food arrived, I was smacking before A.B. could finish the prayer.

"Forgive me, Father," I whispered.

I had at least ten bites of everything that was on our table. "I'm full." I rubbed my stomach.

"Can you get up and walk without me carrying you?"

I arched my brow at A.B. "Why would you carry me, sir?"

"Because you'd be too full to walk out of here."

I shook my head. "If you try to pick me up, I will kick and scream."

"Why?"

I shrugged my shoulders. At this point, I don't even know what we're talking about. As time progressed, all I remember is laughing and eating more.

"Wake up, pretty lady." A.B. smiled at me.

I smiled back. "Wh-what is it?"

"I think it's time for you to get to bed. You were talking about everything and nothing at the same time. You should've told me you were too tired to go out." He patted my leg. "C'mon. Take my hand."

I grabbed his arm and caressed it. "Ohh, you are so strong."

A.B. helped me out of the car. "I can't carry you. I'm holding your food."

I hugged him. "Let's lay down. Okay?"

"Okay." A.B. closed the car door before moving me to a side hug position. "Take me to your room."

"Let's go!" I hopped like a rabbit.

"Jamie, just walk."

"Walking, walking, walking, walking..." I led the way to the side of the River's Residence. From there, we took the stairs to the second floor. Through a door to the corridor that led to my bedroom, I kicked the door with my foot.

"Jamie, stop that," A.B. lightly laughed. "Do you have a key to unlock your door?"

I took a deep breath. "Key? Where's my key?" I asked myself.

"Hold on. I'm gonna check your purse." A.B. leaned me against the wall as he unzipped my purse. Then, took took out my keys and unlocked my bedroom door. "Finally." A.B. pulled me back into a side hug and took me to the bed. "Now lay down," he told me.

I jumped on top of my bed and landed flat on my face.

I heard A.B. laugh and my door close.

I turned over onto my back. "Ha-ha-ha," I pointed at A.B. "Ohh, this feels good." I rubbed the covers

A.B. opened my mini fridge and put my food inside it. "What time do you have to wake up tomorrow?"

"This many!" I displayed both hands to him with all my fingers spread apart.

"Ten in the morning?" He asked me.

I nodded my head as I sat up. Then, I yawned. "Are you spending the night?"

"No. I have to--"

"No, no, no, no, no when it's really yea, yea, yea, yea, yeah," I sang.

A.B. smirked, "Now, I can't tell if you're acting or really tired."

I patted on the bed. "You can sleep right here next to me."

"Jamie, you still have your shoes on."

I looked at my feet. "Ohhh, I'm in trouble." I snatched my heels off and threw them on the floor.

"You need to get some rest, Jamie," A.B. told me.

"Not until you lay down," I demanded.

"You lay down first," he told me.

I slowly lied down onto my back.

"Lay on your stomach," he directed me.

I rolled over with my eyes half-closed.

A.B.'s hands found my back and the massage he gave me put me to sleep.

I blinked my eyes before I opened them only to squint as if the darkness was too bright for me to see. I began to reach around for my phone. I jumped when my hands felt a warm body. I hesitated as I tried to get my thoughts together. It had to be A.B. Is he spending the night? In my bed?

"Good morning, Jamie."

I almost hit him. "Why do you always do that?" I placed my hand over my rapidly beating heart.

My bedroom lights came on as A.B. made his way back to my bed. "You are definitely a different person when you don't get enough sleep. All you did was kick me."

I  sat upright with my legs curled under me. "I don't know what you're talking about." I scratched my neck.

"The first couple times, I thought you were dreaming. The next few times, I saw you smile."

I smacked my lips. "No, you didn't." Now, he's making things up.

He looked at me. "It's 5:45 a.m."

"Seriously? I don't have to be up until 10." I dropped my head onto my pillow.

I looked over at him and our eyes met. We stared at one another for a few seconds.

I blushed. "Don't look at me like that."

A.B. spoke, "You're really pretty..."

I tried to refrain from grinning.

"...even with morning breath."

"Stop!" I sat up and playfully swung my hand at him.

He chuckled, "I'm just playing, Jamie."

I rolled my eyes. "Why are you in my bed at this hour, sir?"

"I tried to leave several times, but you wouldn't let me." He shrugged, "I gave you a back massage, we even talked for like 30 minutes before you went back to sleep. Then, you woke up an hour ago and drunk some water before going back to sleep."

Nobody told him to document my sleep behavior. "Anyway. What time are you leaving?"

"After we finish talking." A.B. sat down on my bed.

"About what?" I arched my brow.

He began, "We're approaching the end of the year. I know you won't be able to come back to East Grove anytime soon. That's why I came here. I wanted to see you in-person before the year ends."

"Thank you for coming. I really appreciate your presence."

A.B. added, "Whenever you get the chance to go back to East Grove, I want to be the first to know."

I smiled, "Of course! I wish I could go back to East Grove with you. I miss home," I admitted.

"Sometimes, it takes leaving to find out what you're missing," A.B. stated. Then, he asked me, "Are you still going to sue RiSe Records?"

I sighed, "Umm... I told Rochelle to wait on the lawsuit, because I'm afraid of letting everyone down. Now that Monica is dating Zeke, I really should stay in my contract. I have a year and a half to go before it ends."

A.B. took my hand in his and caressed it. "Don't go above and beyond to make others happy; especially, if it ends up hurting you."

He had a point. I spoke, "You and my family are so supportive, but I am happy... I think... I haven't mastered my skill, so I have a ways to go. None of this would be possible with God, without you, Zeke, my family, my label, my team, and my amazing fans."

A.B. listened as I talked.

"Like, I'm living my dream... even if it's not like I thought it would be," I whispered.

He asked, "Why do you do it?"

"I want to sing, A.B."

He let my hand go and rubbed my shoulder. "I hope this is encouragement for you. Don't give up on doing what's right, even if it means disappointing others."

I replied, "That's easier said than done."

"Don't be afraid. Don't hold back. You still have time to figure it all out no matter how busy you get. Okay?"

I nodded my head. "So what about you?"

A.B. exhaled, "Hmmmm... I am in a better space - mentally. I saw my uncle last week. We talked for hours, and I told him that I didn't want to have any access to Music Bravos anymore. Mostly because everything's been great, and I've been busy with real estate. Plus, I've been mentoring some students that attend East Grove College."

"That's great, A.B.!"

"Speaking of students, young people really helps me as much as it helps them. Do you remember that day the photography student took our pictures by the pond?"

I smiled, "Oh, yeah!"

"He gave me digital copies of the photos. I picked out ten and got them developed into wallet sizes. They're easier to carry." A.B. dug in his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Then, he opened it and pulled out a small stack of images. "You can pick out your favorites, and I'll keep the rest."

A.B. handed me the photos. I placed them in two rows of five on the bed. Each photo looked absolutely amazing. "Wow..." I was speechless.

"He did a great job, right?"

I agreed, "He sure did. Umm..." I looked over them all. I ended up picking the ones where A.B. looked like a model or was staring at me with heart eyes or what looked like hearts in his eyes. "I think I look better in these." I gathered my five, leaving the other photos for A.B.

He sat up and put them in his wallet. "Anything else you want to talk about?"

"Can you stay one more day?" I asked him.

A.B. shook his head. "You are very busy, and I'll only be a distraction to you."

"Actually, I think I'll be a distraction to you." I raised my exposed left leg.

"You have cute feet, too."

I dropped my leg. "I show you my leg and you're talking about my foot?"

A.B. yawned before standing up. "I gotta get ready for my flight."

I crossed my arms. "I'm gonna be all by myself now." I tried to sound sad, but it didn't work.

After putting on his shoes, A.B. put his phone in his front pocket.

I got out of the bed on the other side and met him at my bedroom door. "Want me to walk you outside?"

"No. It's still a bit dark outside. I remember the way, though. Make sure you call me no matter what. I'm serious." From his tone, I knew he serious.

"I will. Thank you for the short visit." I spread my arms for a hug.

A.B. lightly pinched my chin. "And you're right. You will be a distraction to me." His eyes found my lips. Before I could prepare, he leaned in and shook me to my core. I froze up. What else could I do? Then, he went in deeper and I melted. I wrapped my arms around his neck. His hands never went below my shoulders. From within, I was harboring a feeling that was brewing. I heard myself moan.

Slowly, his mouth separated from mine. He waited before giving me one peck on the lips. A.B. opened my bedroom door.

That's when I realized my back was against the wall. At this point, I had lost control.

"Have a good day, Jamie." He winked at me before walking out of my room, closing the door.

I rolled my eyes. How did I just let him get away like that? I wanted another kiss. I mean, I wanted an explanation. I touched my hair, forgetting that I wasn't wearing a wig but my real hair. I finally got off the wall and went over to the window. I looked by the pool to see A.B. walking passed it.

I took a deep breath. "Next time, he will not--" I stopped myself. "Jamie, there won't be a next time." I left the window. "He thinks he can kiss me whenever he wants without being my official boyfriend? Oh, no, Mr. Bravos. Your game will not work on me... anymore." I gave myself a prep talk. "You are solid, Jamie! No more falling into that man's traps."

I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. My hair was a mess, my eyebrows were no longer smooth and neat, and my eyeliner and lipstick were nearly rubbed off. Thinking of his words, I slightly grinned. If he thinks this face is pretty, then, I won't say otherwise. As I got ready for the day, I couldn't stop thinking about our moment. Whew! Those church men...