Chapter 9

                                    

                                          
"Do you know where he's taking you," Maya asked over the video call.
                          
"Nope.  He just said to dress for the outdoors, but to be comfortable."
                          
Erica stood at her dresser looking for a pair of leggings.  
                          
"What are you going to wear?"
                          
"I'm thinking leggings, a dress, and some sandals." Erica found the black leggings and pulled them out of the drawer. She grabbed her phone and walked into her closet. 
                          
"What about underwear," Maya asked with a giggle.
                          
"Hmm...what's that?"  Erica feigned confusion at Maya's question and laughed. She found the lavender colored dress she was looking for and held it up to Maya.  "What do you think?"
                          
"That'll be cute with those black sandals with the purple stones."
                          
"My thoughts exactly.  Ok, I'm gonna shower and I'll text you later."
                          
"I hope not.  Later better mean tomorrow 'cause that man better have you up ALL NIGHT!"  Maya ended the call before Erica could reply.
                          
Erica showered and washed her hair.  She decided she'd wear her hair in its natural state today. She took her time detangling her curls and then making sure they were moisturized. Grabbing some edge control, she smoothed her perimeter and put a headband on to hold her curly afro back and in place.  As she slipped on her barely there to the point of unnecessary g-string, she thought about the last time Deacan’s hands were on her; how every time his skin was on her skin, she chilled and heated up at the same time.  He made her hazy.  Time with him was like an out of body experience, disorienting in a good way.
                          
She put on the dress and leggings and checked herself in the mirror.  “I look pretty good if I do say so myself.”  Erica’s phone chimed with a text and the grin was instant.
                          
I should be there in about 10 minutes.  I can’t wait to see you.
                          
Same.
                          
Erica applied some mascara and lip stain before heading to the spare bedroom.  An image of Jennifer and Jonathan in bed flashed in her mind.  She hated that they’d tainted her home and wondered if the memory of them in here would ever fade.  If she could move, she might’ve seriously considered it but her money was being put into her new business and she loved her townhouse.  She refused to give them the satisfaction of making her give up her home.  Erica found the sandals she needed, slid her feet in them, and headed downstairs.  Walking into the kitchen, she grabbed the water from the refrigerator and poured a glass.
                          
The rim of the glass had just touched her lips when there was a knock on the door. The sound caused the sleeping butterflies in her stomach to take flight.  She could feel herself blushing at the thought of Deacan on the other side of the door. Erica looked out the peephole and swung the door open. There he was, standing there with a vase of pink and purple flowers in his hands. When their eyes met, his smile could eclipse the sun. Seeing this caused Erica’s insides to turn to jelly.
                          
“Hi. You look beautiful,” Deacon said as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
                          
“Thanks. You’re looking good as well.”  Erica eyed him again in his green and white fitted t-shirt and black cargo shorts.  He finished the outfit with black and green hi-top Converse tennis shoes.  “Is that Green Lantern?”
                          
“You know your comics?”  The shock on Deacan’s face caused Erica to chuckle.
                          
“Don’t get too excited.  I’m not deep into comics and stuff, but I know a few folks.  Surface level stuff mostly.”
                          
“Still, surface or not, I like it.”  Deacan lifted the vase of flowers and smiled.  “These are for you.  They’re Azaleas.  I don’t know if you like flowers or not, but I saw them and wanted you to have them.”