Page 9

S urtain

“You’re back. Are you here for your usual market items, or are you here to see lil’ ole me?” Dom questioned sweetly.

Dom looked beautiful in her black spandex jumpsuit that hugged her every curve.

She paired it with an oversized, chunky, chocolate-brown cardigan, scrunched socks, and sneakers.

Dom looked comfy and sexy. I liked how she pulled her look off flawlessly.

It was Saturday and an unseasonably warm day in March.

I wouldn’t complain, though, because as bipolar as Chicago’s weather was, it’d fuck around and snow tomorrow.

That was why everybody’s clothes were so relaxed, instead of slightly bundled up.

I chuckled and handed her the mixed flower arrangement of carnations, chrysanthemums, and lilies. Dom accepted the bouquet with the biggest smile on her face.

“Today, I came here just for you. May I take the seat next to you?”

“You sure can. Thank you for my flowers. They’re beautiful. I’ve never gotten flowers before,” Dom stated cheerfully.

Her wide, pretty grin hadn’t left since I arrived. I took the seat next to her, and she set the flowers down on the table. “Is it still cool that I call you Sur or do you prefer Surtain?” she inquired, turning in her seat to face me.

“You’re welcome, beautiful, and whatever you feel comfortable addressing me as is fine with me.”

Dom chuckled. “I’d like to call you daddy, but I’ll wait until we’re better acquainted.”

I shook my head and snickered. “Dom, you are so open and funny. Your personality is different and new to me but in a good way. It’s why I came here today on my own. I wanted to get to know you better. Can I take you out for a late lunch after you’re done working?”

She smiled and nodded. “I’d love that, but since you’re here, yo’ fine self can also help me with these customers.”

“I’m with it. What would you like me for me to do?”

“Aw. Thank you for the help, Sur. I was only kidding.”

“I’m not. I told you I came here today on my own for you. Use me as you see fit.”

I gazed into her eyes as I chewed on my gum.

She matched my stare down. I’d just made a loaded statement, but I meant every word.

If Laila wanted us to do this poly thing, then I had to do it my way.

I didn’t want to treat Dom like she was some type of sex bot.

She was a beautiful woman that clearly worked hard because she had not one but two damn jobs.

From our short exchanges, she was sweet, thoughtful, and appeared to be just as interested in me as I was in her.

She was no Laila, but I promised myself to treat her with the same respect I gave Laila.

Dom licked the top of her glossed lip sexily. Her eyes never strayed away from mine.

“Sur, I plan to use you in every way possible, so remember you gave me permission to do so.” She winked then smirked. “I’ll handle the transactions, and you can bag the customer’s sweets. How does that sound?”

I swallowed hard. She was really interested. I couldn’t wrap my mind around it at the moment. I had to play it cool for Lai’s sake.

“Sounds good. I use these pink and zebra bags, right?” I asked, peering inside one bag. They were pre-prepped with hot pink tissue paper and small freebies at the bottom of the bag. I wasn’t a business owner in the slightest, but it was a smart move to give a small token away to supporters.

“Yes. All you have to do is fill the bag with their order and hand it to them once I give you the okay. I like to make sure the electronic payment is successful beforehand. The Wi-Fi in this park can be a bit wonky at times.”

“Understandable. What motivated you to start selling your sweets?”

Dom opened her mouth to reply when a couple of customers walked up.

We stood at the same time and greeted them.

Once they chose the sweets they wanted, I took my time and packed the bags.

My hands were large and way too big for the small bags she had.

I ripped two accidentally while Dom laughed at me.

I guess it was funny that a big guy like myself had to be so delicate with sweets and shit, but I got it together.

Their payment was successful, and we took our seats again.

“Whew,” Dom voiced. “You did good, handsome face. Don’t worry about the bags. I have more in that bin next to you.”

I looked down at the bin, and it was filled with extra sweets, tissue paper, bags, and more.

“Damn, you don’t play. You got back up after back up.”

She giggled. “That’s right. You can never be too prepared.

I can’t see the future, but I can try to be as prepared as possible.

Now, to answer your question, baking is something I’d always been good at.

My mom taught me. The older I got, the more I explored treat making.

There was a lot of errors, but the more errors I made, the better I got.

When I noticed how good I was getting, I decided to make money from my skills.

It was a smart investment because it helps with my bills and lifestyle,” she explained, wrapping her cardigan around her. “What do you do for a living?”

I sat up and rested my elbows on my knees, so I’d be closer to her.

“Dom, that was a smart move. You utilized your skills and monetized your strengths. That says you’re intelligent, business savvy, and way more special than I knew.

I’m glad we’re having this conversation.

To answer your question, I’m a doctor—a pediatrician to be exact.

I’m good at math and science, but I also love kids.

I don’t know why. I just know that I love to witness the journey from crumb snatcher to a thriving teenager and on to adulthood. Is that weird?”

She shook her head. “No. Not at all. That was beautifully expressed. It’s like witnessing the process of a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly.”

“Exactly. You get me, Dom.”

“I do. I really felt that. Question. In order to be a doctor, you had a lot of schooling and degrees, right?”

“Yes. Long days and nights in medical school and completing my residency, and I’m so glad to be out of that phase. Did you go to college?”

“Yeah, I did. Once my parents kicked me out because of my sexual preferences, I attended a community college and earned my associates degree in applied sciences.”

“No shit? That’s what’s up. First, let me say I’m sorry your folks kicked you out.

That’s the wrong action to commit when there are so many fucking creeps in this world.

If I had a daughter, she’d always know that she was loved no matter the mistakes she made.

I hate to say it, but it’s their loss that they threw away such a beautiful woman inside and out.

Now, let me get this straight. You’re intelligent, creative, kind, and sexy as hell, but you’re single. How is that even possible?”

Dom rapidly batted her lashes. It was like she’d snapped out of some sort of perusal of me because her eyes danced over my features.

“Sur, you really have a way of words. I’d think you were trying to get in my thong if I didn’t already know you were as genuine and honest as a gentleman can be.

I’m single by choice, though. I’ve had to work hard for the last eight years of my life, putting myself in a good head space mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I refuse to let anyone ruin my progress, you know? ”

“Yeah. I do know. You speak with so much passion and wisdom. How old are you?” I queried.

“Thank you for the compliment. That wisdom comes from life’s lessons. I’m twenty-eight. I’ve been on my own since I was twenty.”

“Damn. Forgive me if I treat you like an object in a museum, but I’m truly in awe of you.

Lai and I have always had our families’ support, which helped motivate us to choose our career paths.

But here you are, a shining fucking light that is just as successful all on your own with no help.

No support or family, but you never gave up. You really are special.”

Dom went to speak, but a line of customers came out of nowhere.

They were all so thirsty and frantic to get their sweets from Dom.

Since it was a long line, she helped me bag and the process went faster.

Once we finished, Dom was out of everything.

I helped her take down her sign and pack everything in their respective cases.

When we finished, I walked to her small SUV then packed her trunk with her belongings.

We talked as she stood next to me. Who would’ve thought the sound of her sweet yet sultry voice would mellow me out so much?

I wasn’t worked up or out of breath, but I felt so calm around her.

It felt like being at home with Lai. How could that be?

I hit the button on her trunk, and it automatically lowered. When it closed fully, I turned to her. “Follow me. I’ll take you to get some of the best food on this side of town. Are you still down, or do you wanna take a rain check and go home to relax?”

Dom walked up on me, breasts resting against my solid chest. Her lips were pursed in my direction while her eyes trained solely on me.

“There’s no one at home waiting for me. I’m where I wanna be,” she affirmed.

She stared up at me as if stars danced around my head. I leaned down so our noses were inches away from touching while I looked into her eyes.

“Music to my ears. Let’s roll, beautiful.”

She nodded slowly then snapped her mouth closed. I saw Dom was good at following commands. My type of girl. I kissed her forehead then helped her inside of her car. Once she was comfortable, I climbed into my truck then drove away.

Dom laughed loudly as I revealed my many disasters in medical school. Now that I reflected back on them, they were funny as hell, but during that time, I questioned heavily if I was on the right path. I was.