Wanted For Pleasure: vol 4

o5. "Balancing acts"

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

"Oh my gosh, it's her." I whisper, rolling off of the couch.

I crawl around the living room, avoiding Chris and Jabari's whispering asking what the hell I'm doing, and then run to the front door.

Before letting her in, I peek through the window.

Seeing her bright bold-lipped smile, I waste no more time getting acquainted.

"Hi!" I say at the same time she says "Hey!"

We embrace warmly, and she sways us side to side as if it had been ages since we'd last seen each other—like this hug was exactly what we both needed.

"You always smell good." She tells me with a faux-envious look after I pull away.

I flick my wrist, rushing her from the door so I can shut it behind her. "So do you. Come in."

"The guys are about to leave so it'll just be me and you if that's okay?" I mention.

I pause for a beat to watch Faith remove her loafers and kick them neatly against the wall.

"Faith, you don't have to take your shoes off in here." I laugh at her polite gesture.

"It's such a nice house, I just assumed." She catches herself and laughs.

I shake my head. "Did they give you any trouble at the gate? Tandy has this thing about letting 'outsiders' in. Ugh."

"Oh, yeah, I heard about Tandy. Quite the character."

I put my hand on Faith's to emphasize my sincerity when I whisper, "You have no idea."

We walk through the kitchen so I can get Faith a drink or snack if she wants.

"Water? Tea? Lemonade?" I offer, digging through the fridge.

I see she shakes her head no, busy looking at my scrapbook that was lying on the kitchen island.

"You do have dogs. Where are they?" She asks softly.

"Oh, yeah, you met them at the party. Well, I put them up because I didn't know if you were okay with them running around. We let them roam freely, sit on the furniture." I brace myself for her to call us dirty or at least make a face.

I'm not assuming anything, I just know not everyone is okay with sitting on couches where pets lie.

"I expected nothing less." She beams. "I love dogs."

"I like you." I giggle, pushing the stainless steel refrigerator doors shut.

"CHRIS, CAN YOU GET THE DOGS?" I shout, my voice bouncing off the walls. Then, with a laugh, I add, "Sorry for yelling," popping my shoulders like it helps ease the tension.

Within minutes, Chris and Jabari stroll into the kitchen, trailing Duke and Stevie.

"Hey, Faith," Chris says, giving her a casual side hug.

Her smile lights up, warm and a little surprised, like she didn't expect that kind of kindness.

"Chris, I was just about to tell your fiancé how much I love your house. It's so nice and warm." She compliments the architect.

Chris pops a green grape into his mouth and displays a smirk. "Thanks, Faith. I like your braids."

"I was just about to say that. I know they took forever, where'd you get them done?" I ask in awe.

Faith blushes, smiling ear to ear. "Thank you! My sister did them actually."

"Aww. Younger or older?" I ask.