The Single Life with Zola Patterson Part 2 - Danielle Allen Page 0,40

if I’m supposed to be with Jordan?”

“You were ready to drop him before he gave you the book.”

“I know. And now… I don’t know.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“Because you can’t have two boyfriends. I know this is new territory for you,” she joked.

I laughed begrudgingly. “Kia! I’m serious. This is not a joke!”

“I know, I know. But you have to admit, it’s a little funny. You were so adamant about not settling down for at least ten years and now here you are… ready to settle down with two boyfriends.”

I sighed loudly. “Are you done?”

She giggled. “Yes, sorry.”

“I really like Saint. And I like Jordan, but the connection I have with Saint is just…” I let out a breath. “I can’t even explain it.”

“Are you still only talking to Jordan about psych stuff?”

“Yeah. And I know the answer of who to choose seems obvious, but the last man I was serious with, my dad didn’t approve.”

“I know,” Kia said softly.

“And if Jordan is Dad-approved…”

“I get it. I really do get it.” She let out a huff of air. “This is tough, Zo.”

“It is?!” I exclaimed. “And my mom was saying it was a simple choice.”

“Well, I’m sure your mom didn’t have all the facts.”

“Of course not.” I took another sip of my tea. “Can’t exactly tell my mom that I spent seventy-two hours with a man and he blew my mind and my back out.”

“Your mom is pretty chill, but I think she’d be uncomfortable with that recap,” she quipped.

“Yeah, agreed.”

“I know you’re just thinking out loud. But do you have an idea of what you want to do?”

I wanted to do things differently. I wanted my dad to be proud. I swore that if I ever got into a relationship again, it would have my dad’s stamp of approval. And I had never seen a stamp of approval as big as the ones pointing to Jordan. But Jordan didn’t make me feel the way Saint made me feel.

“I’ll talk to both of them and I’ll avoid seeing Jordan in the meantime,” I told my best friend. “I’ll make a definitive decision by the end of the week.”

“I see you didn’t say you’ll avoid seeing Saint.”

I scoffed. “I have needs, Kia!”

We talked for ten more minutes before she returned to work. Sitting at my desk, I sipped the rest of my tea as I pondered my dilemma.

“What am I going to do?” I groaned.

Dr. Jordan Lewis: I’ve been thinking about you since you left. I have one more class after this one, but I could come over if you still want to talk.

I tapped my chin. Hm… I was hoping to have the conversation with Jeremiah tonight.

Zola Patterson: I have a long day of work ahead of me. How about tomorrow?

Dr. Jordan Lewis: We can do tomorrow. Let me take you out to dinner and we’ll talk about any and everything you want. Tempest Lounge at 7pm?

Zola Patterson: Sounds good.

*****

Chapter 9

Twenty-four hours later, I still had no idea what I was going to do. I had three hours before my date, and I was no closer to figuring out what I was going to say. In my most comfortable, hole-ridden shirt, I went to get my mail and I heard his laugh before I heard what he actually had to say. Narrowing my eyes, I focused my gaze on my neighbor.

“What did you say?” I snapped.

“I said does the homeowner’s association know that you turn tricks for a living?”

“No. Because I don’t,” I scoffed, almost dropping my mail. “Do they know you leech off of your girlfriend?”

“No. Because I don’t,” he barked.

I heard a car pulling up and the sound of someone jogging but all I my focus was on him. “Do you work? And I’m serious. Do you work? Because you never seem to be at work. You just seem to be outside and in my business.”

“I work and judging by that raggedy shirt, I should be asking you if you need an application. Better yet, here’s a tip. Take half of the forty dollars you make selling ass to buy you a shirt without holes in it.”

I stopped in my tracks as I stared at his yellow and blue monstrosity of a shirt. “I know you’re not over there trying to give me fashion tips in your fake ass Gordon Gartrelle shirt.”

He looked down at his shirt and laughed. “Gordon Gartrelle? I can’t stand your ass!”

“The feeling is mutual.” I put my hands on my