Page 10 of Cookies and Cream
“You are so crazy. Did you need to use the restroom or anything?” Layla asks, pulling the door open so I can come in.
“No, I’m good.” I walk into the spacious home and close the door behind me.
Before Layla can walk off, I grab her hand and swing her around. She gasps but wraps her arms around me. I tighten my arms around her and kiss her on her neck.
“Now, that’s more like it.” I step away from her and clear my throat.
I am a grown-ass man. I should not be popping a boner from one little hug. For fucks sake!
“I just need to grab my purse and my cell, and I’ll be ready. You sure you don’t want anything to drink?” Layla asks as she gathers her things.
I can tell she has the sweet southern woman thing down. My mama would be proud.
“Naw, sweetie. Thanks, though.”
“Okay. So, what are we doing today?” Layla excitedly asks as she leads the way back to her front door.
“You’ll see.”
After she sets her alarm and locks the door, I lead her to my truck and open her door. She slides in with a sweet thank you, and once again, I know that I made the right decision when I asked her out. We might be doing this dating thing backwards, but I can feel it in my gut that Layla is worth it.
EIGHT
HOPELESS ROMANTIC
LAYLA
We pull up to the music festival at Clyde Warren Park, and I already know it’s going to be the perfect date.
We walk hand in hand to a spot not too far from the stage, and Simon places the blanket down that he carried from his truck. I wondered what the duffle bag was for, but I smiled when he pulled out a small charcuterie board wrapped in plastic and two chilled cokes.He thought of everything.
“There are food trucks around if you want something besides this. Oh! I almost forgot.” Simon pulls out a small umbrella and sits it beside the blanket. “In case the sun gets too hot.”
“You really thought of everything. I’m impressed.” I sit down on the blanket and pat the spot beside me.
Simon, the cheeky devil he is, sits behind me and pulls me between his legs. I lean back against his chest, and the comfort level with us is off the charts.He has seen all of my lady bits, no point in playing the coy card.
“So, Layla Russell. What do you do for a living?” Simon asks, then reaches for a piece of cheese and pops it in my mouth.
I chew the food before answering, “Well, Mr. Tate, I’m a data analyst at Care Center Inc. over on Alpha Street in Dallas.”
“Oh yeah, I know where that is. How long have you been there?”
“Seven years. It pays the bills, but it’s not my passion or anything,” I honestly answer.
Crunching numbers and running reports isn’t something I could ever see myself “loving.” Still, the medical insurance is good, and my salary is top-notch. I guess that’s why I haven’t actually thought about leaving before.
“You know, I always wanted to own a bar. My bar specifically. My dad owned it before me, and it was a place where we grew to learn more about each other. We worked closely together, and his passion became mine. But I would never want to do something just because it pays the bills. You know what I’m sayin’?”
“Yeah, I hear you. But some of us are worker bees. We don’t have the opportunity to live out our dreams,” I respond, looking over my shoulder to see Simon’s handsome face.
“Sometimes, you have to make your own opportunities, Cookie.” Simon leans down and softly kisses my lips.
“I guess fear can get in the way.” I shrug, looking away.
I can’t believe I just admitted that, but I’m finding Simon is easy to talk to. And although I can feel how strongly he feels about being passionate about your work, I can sense he’s not being judgmental.
“Fear can definitely get in the way of a lot of things, and that’s why we can’t let it rule over us. That’s why I’m so glad you agreed to come out with me today. Our meeting was unconventional, but I really want to get to know you better, Layla.”