Giselle "G" Rowe
Friday, October 7 | 2:34 p.m.

-

I get a huge whiff of June's cologne when I walk past him holding the door open for me. It's a masculine aroma that blends well with his natural scent and I love it.

"Thank you." I tell him, hyper aware of how close he's standing behind me as we reach the podium.

The atmosphere of Elliette's is warm and cozy and the taste of the food offers the same feeling. I've eaten here a few times before and I'm happy that this is the spot that he chose. We follow the hostess to a booth by a large window and take our seats across from each other.

Less than a minute later, a woman clothed in an apron tied tight around her waist approaches us.

"Hi there, my name is Camille and I'll be taking care of y'all today. Can I start y'all off with something to drink?"

"Strawberry lemonade, please."

"Same for me."

"Alrighty, I'll just go put those in. Be right back."

She walks away, leaving us alone and for a long minute, neither one of us says anything. I stare at the trees, watching their branches sway subtly in the early autumn breeze. Many of them still have leaves that are fully green but there are a few that are starting to turn red.

I feel June's eyes on me so I turn my attention back to him. "What?"

"Nothin.' He shakes his head, a smirk forming on his lips as he continues to look me over.

Today, I opted for white, long-sleeved, silk blouse with blue jeans that that do my figure some justice. My small bag matches my red heels and I kept my jewelry simple — just small gold hoops with a thin necklace of the same material.

June is wearing a light gray hoodie with matching sweatpants. The diamonds in his chains and on his ears compliment his dark complexion well. His hair looks freshly cut and his beard? Clean and moisturized.

"So," I drum my nails on the table. "What do you do for work?"

He tucks his bottom lip between his teeth briefly, finally tearing his eyes away from me as he looks at the ceiling for a moment. "I flip houses. Buy and rent out properties."

"Hmm so real estate." I conclude, remembering that he is the co-owner of 99 Degrees. "Well, good for you. You seem to be doing really well for yourself at such a young age."

Camille comes back with two strawberry lemonades and a friendly smile. "Are y'all about ready to order?"

"Nah, we need another minute." June replies, picking up his menu and I realize that I've barely looked at mine. I smile apologetically at her and she leaves us to tend to another table.

"Thank you." June looks at me from over the tall laminated menu. "You seem to be doin' aight yourself working at one of the nicest restaurants in the city."

I could be doing better.

"Umm, yeah. I guess." I shrug and bring my attention back to the section that reads fresh seafood platters.

"Why the hesitation?"

"It's just not an end goal for me. I'm still working on doing bigger and better things, ya know?"

"I feel you. Whatchu got in mind?"

I sigh and bite back a smile as I grab my phone, going straight to my gallery. June's face lights up a bit as his eyes scan over the garments that I've created. I tell him all about my most recent posts and their fairly new popularity.

"This is my passion." I sigh, grabbing my straw and stirring the strawberry residue at the bottom of my glass.

"You really dope at what you do. I can see why you got so many orders already."

"Thank you. Hopefully it works out the way that I want."

"Listen, you already got folks linin' up to shop with you even without any formal schoolin' or whatever. That means raw talent got you here and it'll take you far. Shit, you'll learn more on the journey too, whether it be through just experience or actual lessons, either way you'll bloom into who you're meant to be and it'll be great."

His words touch my heart and for a moment, I'm speechless, choosing to mindlessly continue to stir my drink.

Camille returns and we actually order this time. She takes up our menus with promises to be back with our food very soon.

"I really appreciate you saying that, June."

"I mean it." He puts his hands into his pockets and leans back in his seat, looking me over again as he wets his lips.

An older woman with dark brown skin and silver hair that has been curled to perfection walks inside of the restaurant accompanied by smartly dressed man. We lock eyes and she offers me a polite closed mouth smile before her eyebrows pull together in surprise.

"Junior, is that you?"

June turns his head to look at her and the uncertainty her face is is quickly replaced by joy.

"Hey, Miss Pat. How you doin'?"

"Just fine. Ain't seen you at church with Rosalyn in a while. How have you been?"

"Yeah it has been a minute, huh?" He chuckles and she swats at him playfully. "I've been good though. You?"

"Just fine. It was nice seein' ya."She pats him on the back before grabbing her companion's hand and following the hostess to their table.

"Junior?" I place my chin in my hand, resting my elbow on the table. "I thought your actual name was June this entire time."

"Lotta people do." He shrugs, taking a sip from his own drink.

"Hmm. So, what's your real name then? I mean, do I even really know you?" I feign a wounded expression and he rolls his eyes before extending an open hand across the table.

"Rashad Lockhart Jr."

"Giselle Rowe." I reply smugly, stifling a giggle as our our palms connect.

"Nice to meet you, again." June lifts my hand and pressed his lips onto the back of it, reviving all of the butterflies that had finally settled.

They feel just as soft as they look.

"Okay, here you go! Shrimp and grits for you, ma'am and Cajun shrimp and chicken pasta for you, sir. I'll be right back to refill those drinks." Camille carefully sits two large, steaming entrées on the table and we waste no time digging in. The grits are just as rich and creamy as I remember and I'm full way quicker than I planned to be.

Must be the nerves 'cause I've always been the type of woman to finish my plate.

"Thank you!" I transfer my straw from the empty cup to the full one that Camille has set in front of me and take a few sips.

"See somethin' you like?" I raise an eyebrow at June who has finished his all of his pasta and is now staring at me intensely for the fourth time in over an hour. This time though, his gaze isn't on my face.

"Fasho. You look real good." His eyes linger downward a little longer and I place my arms over my chest, obscuring his view.

"It's cold, okay?" I roll my eyes and he just chuckles.

"Yeah, aight."

**********

Friday, October 7 | 6:01 p.m.
Crystal Lake Condominiums

-

We arrive in front of one of the many giant buildings located in the heart of the city. It's modern with plenty of tall windows and it almost looks more like an office building than a place where people actually live.

I continue staring at the condos in awe as I step out of the vehicle and end up with a clear view of a couple making out in their living room. They're located on one of the higher floors and their condo is facing the highway so I'm sure that I'm not the only one getting a show right now.

One thang about rich white folks, they gone keep them curtains open, even at night.

I laugh quietly to myself and advert my gaze, following June into the lobby. As expected, it's even more lavish inside than it is outside. Giant chandeliers, marble floors, and spotless furniture occupy the large space. The cold temperature of the air conditioning and the scent of bleach add to the overall sterile atmosphere.

The concierge's energy brightens when she spots June. She immediately stops filing her nails to smooth down her uniform, eyeing him from head to toe. "Good evening, Mr. Lockhart."

She has bronze skin, black hair that is stationed a tight bun behind her head, and a wide nose. Ethnically, she looks like a mixture of Pacific Islander and African American.

"Evenin'." He acknowledges her with a brief nod, not even breaking his stride and she looks slightly disheartened for a moment, but the expression vanishes when we lock eyes.

She doesn't deliver me the same kindness as June and I can think of a couple of reasons why.

I wonder how many women she's seen come up here with him. Hell, I wonder when's the last time she came up here with him.

June waves an open palm in front of my face as we wait for the elevator doors to open. "Damn, you spacin' out on me?"

"My bad, what'd you say?"

"I asked you if you know what you gone name yo' brand yet?"

"Oh, no. To be honest, I haven't even gotten that far mentally."

The elevator dings and the two doors slide open. There's already a man inside of it wearing an expensive looking navy blue suit and annoyed expression on his face with his phone pressed to his ear. He flashes June a phony tight-lipped smile as we enter and I keep my head down, preparing for the inevitable silent, awkward ride.

Except, it's not silent after all. Not even a little.

The man hurls insults into his phone, cussing so hard that his pale skin turns pink and I take a frightened step closer to June. He remains unfazed though and that makes me feel slightly assured.

"Go ahead! Break my fucking heart like you always do! You're such a selfish piece of shit, Jessica I swear — " He takes the phone away from his ear to look at the screen and sorrow rapidly engulfs his features. "Fuck!"

She hung up.

The elevator doors open and all three of us exit. The only sound in the corridor are footsteps and sniffling as he breaks down, stopping in front of the third door on the right. 

I avoid looking at June, not wanting to bust out laughing at this man's expense. Clearly it's just not a good night for him. It happens to the best of us, I get it but the dramatics have been a bit much for me.

I hear him fumbling with his keys, dropping them repeatedly, as he continues to weep. "Listen," he gulps. "We can work this out."

He's called her back.

Finally, he opens the door to his condo and goes inside, shutting the door roughly.

June shakes his head, a deep chuckle coming from his mouth as he pushes his own door open. "That's my neighbor, Ethan. He definitely does cocaine so you gotta excuse him. Him and his girl go through this shit all the time."

"Oh yeah?" I step inside and release the laugh that I've been holding in. "I believe you too."

June walks over to adjust the thermostat and I take a moment to check out in my surroundings, slowly slipping out of my heels. My feet scream in relief and my eyes gobble up the sight in wonder.

"Wow. Your place is absolutely gorgeous."

I thought that it couldn't get any better than Lira's apartment, but I was wrong. I'm nearly speechless as I take in the expensive furniture, the breathtaking view, the all new appliances, and the overall spaciousness. He's decorated simply, mainly with blacks and whites — nothing too sentimental or cozy but it still looks great.

Definitely something that a man would pick out.

I can't even believe that I'm here.

Its probably not safe to be going back to a man's house after the first date and normally, I wouldn't. I guess when it comes down to common sense, that shit just doesn't exist when I'm with June. I won't say that I'm calm because being nervous all the time is just a part of who I am, but I am more fond of his presence than I am of most people's.

I thought that he'd take me home right after we left Elliette's but he suggested that we get gelato.

So we did, and I enjoyed it every second of it.

Little did I know, he wasn't ready for the date to end there either. His next suggestion had something to do with websites and showing me how to do this and that on a computer — "simple knowledge that'll help you when the time comes for you to set up your own site." He explained.

I appreciate his words of encouragement far more than he realizes and I do believe that he wants to help me, but I also think that he just wanted to keep me around longer.

"Thank you, Giselle." I watch June pull his hoodie over his head and his t-shirt comes up for brief moment, revealing his toned stomach and the tattoos on his chest.

And shit, I'm cool with being kept around.

"You're welcome, Rashad."

He blows a little air threw his nose before sitting down at a desk and motioning for me to come closer, pressing a few buttons on his MacBook. "This is my homeboy site that I was tellin' you about. He customizes shoes and shit."

"You did all this?" The webpage is full of flames and colorful letters, similar to that of a racetrack. It's eye-catching and fun — fitting for the service being offered.

"Most of it. I helped him with his layout."

We talk business for a while, June showing me various layouts and different tactics to maximize sales. I soak it all up, grateful for the information.

"Well," I stand up straight after leaning over to look at his MacBook and my joints pop. "It's getting late, I need to be gettin' home."

"Fasho." He rises to his feet and grabs my waist, staring at my mouth. All of the air leaves my body while I await the obvious. The memory of him kissing the back of my hand floods my mind and I feel excitement rising in my chest.

It doesn't come though.

He slides past me and grabs his hoodie off of the sofa before heading for the front door. "You ready?"

He did that shit on purpose.

**********

Friday, October 7 | 10:04 p.m.
The Rowe Residence

-

"You what? I don't know how you still alive."

"It was only one time," I laugh, covering my face with my hands. "I didn't fully realize what that slab of rock down the middle of the road meant."

"The divider? The one that separates lanes?" He looks at me incredulously and puts the car in park.

"Luckily, we was out in the country by a lot of farms and shit so wasn't nobody comin'." I shrug, remembering how loud my mother screamed at me for turning down the wrong side of the road. "I was young, okay! Like sixteen."

"I'ma pray for the folks on the road when you drivin', especially to work!"

"Ima pray for 'em too 'cause I hate drivin'."

He scoffs and shakes his head. "Ridin' down the highway wit' the music blastin' is an elite feelin'. Ion know what you talkin' about."

"Nah you right. It does feel good... when you in the passenger seat." I return, unbuckling my seatbelt and grabbing my leftovers from Elliette's.

"Oh yeah? Well shit, I can take you to work. I live close enough to yo' job and I got business to tend to on this side of town so it's not out of the way."

I run my tongue across my teeth, thinking it over for a second before common sense kicks in and I shake my head softly.

"Don't start that, 'I can do everything by myself' bullshit either. You gotta learn how to accept good things when they're offered to you."

"Oh, you a good thing?"

"Hell yeah, you clearly a danger to society behind the wheel. I can help save lives by gettin' you to and from." He smirks and I swat at him.

"Okay," I sigh. "See you later." I open the door and make my exit, gently shutting it behind me. June rolls down his window, his bottom lip tucked between his teeth.

"Ain't like you don't be following me no way."

"Goodbye, Rashad!"

"Good night, Giselle."

Later on, as I'm trying to close my eyes June's words echo in my head over and over, igniting a fire in my stomach and fueling the passion I have for design so much more. I didn't even think that was possible. Having somebody else believe in you almost as strongly as you do is a one of a kind, indescribable feeling. I'll never forget it.

I'll bloom into the person that I'm meant to be and it'll be great.

-

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See y'all next Sunday. 🦋