“I’m sorry, Mom. Did I wake you?”
“It’s fine. I shouldn’t sleep on the couch anyway. What’s going on? How are you?”
My eyes filled with tears. “I met someone.”
“I remember.”
“No,” I whispered. “I met someone and I… I met someone special. His name is Saint. He’s a nurse—”
“I like him already,” Mom joked.
I smiled. “Yes, he’s a nurse like you. And then I met Jordan. He is the one I was telling you about.”
“The psychology one?”
“Yes,” I confirmed. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know who to choose. I don’t… I don’t know, Mom.”
“Who do you like more?”
“Saint,” I answered with no hesitation.
“My dear sweet Zola, I think you have your answer.”
I started pacing the bathroom. “But what about the promise I made? I feel like Dad sent Jordan my way.”
“All you and Jordan talk about is psychology stuff, right?”
“Yes.”
“Have you told him about your father?”
My brows furrowed. “No.”
“You talk to this man—this man that you think is a sign from your father—about psychology and you’ve never mentioned him?”
I stopped in my tracks. “No…”
“Have you talked to Saint about your father?”
I looked at my reflection in the mirror. “Yeah. A little.”
“You keep talking about Dad-approved, so let me ask you a question. Do you think your father would be happier that you found someone that you can talk shop with or someone you can keep his memory alive with?”
All the air left my body.
I had never even thought about it like that.
“Maybe you’ve been interpreting the sign wrong,” she continued. “Maybe this was a sign that you’re finally ready to forgive yourself. Maybe this was a sign that your father will always be with you no matter who you date. Maybe this was a sign that you are ready to move forward.”
I had to place one hand on the sink to brace myself. “I uh…” I didn’t know what to say. I was still trying to wrap my mind around the new perspective. “I…”
“Zola, follow your heart and trust your gut.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too.”
Taking a deep breath, I walked out of the bathroom ready to do what I’d come to do.
Jordan’s face lit up when he saw me returning to the table. “I was starting to get worried.”
“I’m so sorry, but I have to go,” I told him as I took a seat across from him.
Jordan’s face crumbled. “Are you okay? Do you need me to drive you somewhere?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m okay. And while I think you are an amazing man who has such a great psychological mind, this”—I gestured between the two of us— “isn’t going to work out with us.”
The stunned look on his face slowly transformed as he processed my words. “What?”
“And here are your home fries,” the waiter announced, setting a platter between us. “Are you ready to order?”
“No,” Jordan answered, sitting back in his chair and staring across the table at me.
The waiter stood, staring at us for a moment. “Okaaaaaaaaaaay, I’ll come back.”
When we were alone again, Jordan rubbed his chin. “I don’t understand, Zola.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” I told him. “There’s been a development with someone else I’m dating.”
“There’s a connection between us. We have so much in common.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “We have commonalities and I legitimately like you. But I have to trust my gut.”
“Wow. I did not think this was the way tonight was going to go.”
“I understand.” I bit my bottom lip and nodded. “I appreciate the time we’ve spent together, but I have to see where things go with this other man,” I told him, just like I’d said to Jeremiah.
He ran his hand over his jawline. “The man from the brunch spot?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“And there’s nothing I can do to change your mind?”
“No.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Staring at me, he shook his head slowly. “Okay.”
“Okay.”
He lifted his hand and signaled for the waiter. “Well, I wish you well with that. I knew you were dating other people, but I don’t think I ever really considered the possibility that we’d end so abruptly.”
“I didn’t see it coming either,” I admitted honestly.
“Here’s what I think…” He smiled slowly. “I think you’re afraid of this. And I get that. I’ve read your bio and a few articles you wrote on your website. I think you’re afraid of what this could actually be. And like I told you before, I can handle the competition.” When the waiter arrived, Jordan broke eye contact to speak. “Check, please.”
He hesitated, looking between us. “Okay…”
When we were alone again, Jordan flashed me a smile. “I won’t keep you here any longer than you want to be. But when your fling fails, you know where to find me.” He picked up his wine glass and lifted it toward me. “I won’t wait forever, but I’ll give you a little time to wrap your mind around what this is.”
I smiled but didn’t know what to say in response to that. I didn’t know what was going to happen with Saint, but I knew that I wanted to try. No man had ever made me want to try.
He took another gulp of his wine and then stood. Offering me his hand, he helped me up. “It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Patterson.” Planting a kiss on my cheek, he whispered, “You’ll be back.”
“Have a good night, Dr. Lewis.”
*****
Chapter 10
“Hey, it’s Zola. I know you’ll be sleeping by the time we leave open mic night, but if you aren’t too tired, give me a call when you get settled. I have something to tell you,” I said, leaving a voicemail for Saint on Thursday night.
Slipping my phone in my bag, I walked into Black Lotus and made a beeline for my table.
“Hi ladies!” I hugged Kia and Lilith before I took a seat.
“Well, hello! You look like great,” Lilith complimented me.
“So, do you guys!” I told them.
A round of drinks were purchased as we cheered on the first act. There were so many talented people in Richland, and we were awestruck by the first few acts. The fifth person to grace the stage struggled through all their notes, but we clapped just as loudly for them as we did everyone else.
“I wouldn’t have the nerve to sing in public, so I’m always going to show love,” I told my friends under my breath.
When it was time for the intermission, I opened my mouth to say something, but I was interrupted.
“You look extremely happy,” Lilith pointed out suspiciously.