Summer Fling (Love 101 #3)

by J. Nichole

  “Chris?” It’s been months since the last time we spoke. And our last conversation involved him telling me he loves me but that he didn’t want to be with me anymore; some bullshit about enjoying my college years.

  “Are you busy?” Going to dinner with my roommates constitutes being busy as much as I want to stay on the phone and hear him out. I just can’t.

  “Actually, I am. Maybe try to catch me later tonight.” Chris takes a deep breath and before he responds, I hang up. I sit on the bed and fight the tears that are pleading to assault my face. When Monica walks in the room, the smile on her face causes me to crack.

  "Laila, what's wrong? What just happened?"

  Wiping the tears as they fall one by one I say, "Chris just called."

  Her eyes bulge and she takes a seat beside me on my bed. "What did he say? You haven't talked to him since the breakup, right?"

  She rattles off a few more questions that make me laugh. "I miss you youngin'." She curses under her breath. "It's okay. I was about as shocked as you are. I am not crying because I'm sad." She looks at me with her eyebrows raised. I point to my face. "These are angry tears. Feel like punching a wall tears."

  "Because it took him this long to call you?" She gazes at me with understanding.

  "I was finally at a point where I was okay. Moving on, even. Now he has the audacity to call me as if he has the right to do so."

  Nicole and Jennifer walk into the room and announce they are ready to leave. When I make eye contact with Nicole she says, "Is Monica in here putting you to work? We told her we have this weekend free. Then we'll start her laundry list of tasks next week."

  Jennifer slaps Nicole's arm. "Laila's crying. What happened?" Nicole looks at me as if she just realizes the tears glistening from my cheeks.

  "Chris just called." Monica rubs my leg. "But Laila is strong. Fuck him, let's go eat."

  Nicole shakes her head. "Did he explain himself?" I shake my head. "You should hear him out."

  I do want to hear him out. I do feel he owes me closure. "That can wait. Let's go eat."

  Chapter Ten

  "It's been a pleasure having you all here at What's Happening Jacksonville for this summer internship program. Each year we strive to bring in the brightest, most capable, and creative group of students." Lisa makes sure to look each of us in the eyes. "For eight weeks our goal is to impart to you the skills needed to become a great journalist, and I can proudly say that any company should be happy to have any of you."

  We have yet to hear about our fate here at the magazine and the suspense is killing me. Timmy, on the other hand, is sitting calm, cool, and collected after his inspirational article not only made it in the magazine but has also been featured in a few newspapers around the city. His perspective on the gay community made my eyes water. More importantly, it made me want to be more active in the community.

  “Our farewell dinner will be at Copeland's tomorrow. Bring your appetites!" Lisa dismisses us back to work, but Hailey interrupts our departure.

  "Lisa, what will we be doing on our last day tomorrow?" Timmy starts mumbling under his breath but I can't make out what he's saying.

  "Excellent question, Hailey. Thanks for the reminder. When you return to your desks you'll have an email regarding your last day and the next steps. If you have any questions after reading that email feel free to find me."

  After Lisa walks out of the room I look at Timmy and ask him what he was mumbling under his breath. "I was saying she better not ask too many questions. I get hangry when I haven't eaten by noon." He looks at his watch. "And it's almost one o'clock."

  He walks out of the room and I follow him, trying to match his long stride. "And what's hangry?"

  He laughs over his shoulder and says, "Oh, Laila. It means I'm getting angry because I'm hungry."

  We sit down with all the interns during lunch and make promises to keep in touch. Timmy looks at me and says, "When can I come for a visit?"

  "You're welcome to visit whenever you like." I avoid eye contact with the rest of the group because the open invitation only applies to Timmy. I'll certainly friend them on Facebook, probably follow them on Twitter, but that's about as far as it goes unless we are all back here in Jacksonville in the future.

  When I make it back to my desk I log in to my email and scan my inbox for the email promised by Lisa. Before reading it, I close my eyes and say a prayer that it contains good news. I just know my dad would be overly excited if he knew I had an offer to return.

  The email starts out with details about our last day; how to return our press badges, intern activities, and final checks. Then it includes praise for my diverse and intentional perspective. As I continue reading I re-read the same line, being involved with an interviewee is never acceptable. I slide back from my computer and place my head on the desk. The situation with Dante was a mistake, and it shouldn't have happened. I hate that it will plague me for longer than he'll remember my name.

  "You can make it. Only one more day then you'll be back at school where you can party all night, sleep most of the morning, and take mid-day naps." Isaiah is smiling down at me as I peep around my arm. "Are you okay?"

  Considering he is not a Dante fan, I don't want to rub it in his face that I am facing the repercussions of the Dante interview. "Yeah, I'm good." I rise and continue reading the rest of the email as Isaiah reminds me that he'll be taking me out to dinner tonight. "What time should I be ready?"

  Isaiah looks at me and says, "Let's go with seven." I agree to seven and he lingers.

  I look awkwardly between my computer and him. "Alright, I'll see you then."

  "I was hoping to hear the news before I left, but guess I'll wait until tonight." I nod my head and smile.

  After being chastised via email I can sense good news won't be found. But I'm surprised to see the words, 'We'll be glad to have you back next summer.' My anxiety fades, and instead, a wide grin spreads across my face. I open the instant messenger and send a message to Timmy, "I'll be here with you next summer!"

  Timmy doesn't respond but shows up at my cubicle a few minutes later. "Laila, congrats!" He slaps me a high five then chuckles as he gathers me in a hug from behind.

  "I was nervous. But I'm so relieved the Dante situation didn't get me caught up."

  Timmy looks at me with his eyebrows raised and says, "Especially since it was only a kiss with a little hand action." He pauses as if I'll confess anything different. "Right? Just a kiss?"

  "Timmy, the journalist in you is showing." I wag my finger at him. "It was nothing more than a kiss."

  He winks at me, "I was hoping I could break a story before I left." He turns to exit my cubicle and whispers, "After your dinner with Isaiah call me and we'll have dessert."

  I call after him, "How'd you know?" I can hear him chuckling down the hall.

  In our email we are given one last article to write before tomorrow. It will not be published, but instead, it will be archived with the internship department. We have to write an article about our experience here at the magazine. I reflect on the writing opportunities, events, and people I've met; I decide to focus my article on the lessons I learned. I highlight my experience while collaborating with Timmy, and the lowlight of the consequences of getting too close to an interviewee.

  My phone vibrates as I type, and it's a text message from Chris.

  Chris: Can you call me when you're free?

  I wasn't ready to hear his bullshit, but before I left Tallahassee, Nicole made me promise I wouldn't count him out. She reminded me how in love I was with him, and how in spite of the situation she believes he still loves me. Although she sounded like a paid spokesperson, her faith in Chris was strangely convincing.

  Laila: Can't talk now. Call you later.

  After I finish my article I pack up the few things I brought in to personalize my cubicle. My FAMU banner and framed quotes fit neatly in my purse.

  Promptly at seven, there is a knock on my door and as I climb over m
y luggage I am thankful that my time in the dorm is almost over. "Hey, Isaiah."

  He hands me a bouquet of flowers and then leans in to give me a kiss on the cheek. "Ready to go?" He glances around the room and his eyes stop on my luggage. "Wow, you didn't waste any time did you?"

  I hunch my shoulders. "Not ready to get back to school but ready to be back in my bed." I lay the flowers on the counter and walk out of the door.

  Isaiah walks beside me and says, "I can understand that." His hand brushes mine and I grab it, intertwining our fingers.

  "Next summer I don't plan to stay in these dorms." I continue walking and Isaiah tugs on my hand.

  He wraps me in his arms and lifts me off the ground. "Congrats, Laila! That is great." He puts me back on the ground and says, "Did you accept?"

  I shake my head, "Not yet. I'm going to weigh my options first then I'll decide."

  "Options." He laughs. "Must be nice." I smile and nod my head.

  "This internship was enlightening, but I wouldn't mind trying out a different city. Maybe outside of Florida."

  Isaiah winces at me. "Try another city, another state, another country even. I'm sure you'll return home." I shrug my shoulders and nod my head. It's always a possibility.

  "Which of Jacksonville's finest restaurants will we be dining at tonight?" Isaiah opens the door of his car and I climb into the passenger seat.

  He pulls the car into drive and says, "Unfortunately, we can't toast your offer." He winks at me then continues, "But there is this nice wine bar I've wanted to check out."

  When we pull up to the restaurant Isaiah steps out of the car and opens my door. He grabs my hand and we walk hand and hand to the entrance. "When do you turn twenty-one?"

  I laugh at him. "Worried you could catch a charge?"

  He throws his hands in the air. "Whoa. Wait now. You have to be careful how you throw those words around." He looks at the people around us. "Someone could take that the wrong way." He asks the hostess for a table for two.

  "My birthday is in October." I nudge him in the side. "And I'll be twenty-one." I gaze around to anyone who was ear pimping.

  After we are seated, Isaiah asks me, "Do you mind if I order for us?"

  I look at him sideways and say, "And you've never been here before?" I glance over the menu then close it. "Alright, go for it."

  He orders some tapas and a glass of wine for himself. The waitress looks at me after he finishes. I smile and then ask for a sweet tea. "No wine for you, dear?" I shake my head and she says, "Our wine is the best in town." After I shake my head again she walks away.

  "If I were a journalist instead of a technologist I think I would be a food blogger." Isaiah says as he admires the food at the table beside us.

  "You'd probably get free meals, exclusive invites to new restaurants, interviews with chefs. I think a career change is worth it." I smile at Isaiah as he nods his head as if he were considering the possibility.

  "It would almost be worth it. As much as I love food I think I love technology more."

  "Choices. You'll have to find a way to blend the two. And then you'd probably have the perfect job."

  He leans into me and says, "Who says I don't love my job?" He laughs. "What's Happening Jacksonville is a cool place to work."

  I look around the restaurant then back to Isaiah. "I don't think anyone here will report back if you tell me the truth." I look around the restaurant again. "Do you love What's Happening Jacksonville?"

  Isaiah chuckles. "Did you like What's Happening Jacksonville?" He looks around the restaurant then back to me. "You can tell me the truth."

  "It's not bad." I shrug my shoulders. "I worked at a local newspaper back home last summer. Much smaller than the magazine, but I liked the culture there."

  He squints his eyes. "And not the culture here?"

  I move my head from side to side. "The newspaper was more laid back. Not competitive. Everyone had their focus area, and helped others in their area." Isaiah looks concerned. "But then again the competitive nature could be from the interns."

  Isaiah smiles and nods his head. "Guess in the IT department we aren't worried about who helps the most people, or who resolves the most technical issues." We both laugh. The waitress returns with a few plates of food.

  After we each try a few bites Isaiah looks at me and says, "Haven't seen much about you on the blogs."

  "On the blogs? What would you expect to see about me on the blogs?" Then I realize he's referring to my situation with Dante. "Oh."

  "I'm just joking. I haven't been cyber stalking you." He sips his wine and I wish I could have a glass myself.

  "You wouldn't find anything even if you were stalking me." Isaiah sits back in his chair and the expression on his face eases.

  "You still sticking to the single life?" He adjusts in his seat. "Or are you ready to be attached again?"

  "Not exactly ready to be attached again. I'm still enjoying the single life." I tap my fingers on the table. "What about you?" I wiggle my eyebrows at him. "Are you ready to be attached?"

  His shoulders hunch and he says, "Not necessarily. Maybe when I meet that girl who is ready to be attached."

  The waitress returns and offers Isaiah another glass of wine. He shakes his head no, but he asks for the dessert menu and hands it to me. I point to myself and say, "I can choose?" He nods his head yes and I decide on the Zeppolis with raspberry sauce and the grin on Isaiah's face tells me he agrees with my selection.

  "Thank you, again, for dinner." Isaiah smiles but I can see him hesitate before speaking. "You okay?"

  "I wish I would have met you before your ex did." He looks away. "I hope you can fully recover from that relationship sooner rather than later," he says.

  "Timing makes a world of a difference." Isaiah pays our bill and hands me the bag of leftover Zeppolis. "When you were at L.U. you probably were nowhere near wanting to be attached, right?"

  He leans in and kisses my cheek. "Maybe. Maybe not."

  Isaiah recovers on our way back to the dorm. "If you do end up back in Jacksonville next summer I hope we can hang out." I agree to hang out and to keep him posted on my decision.

  When we park, he gets out of the car and walks me to the door. "You're such a gentleman." After I open the door I reach up to give him a hug. "Thanks again." He squeezes me tighter.

  "Sorry I let Dante get the best of me. We could have enjoyed a few more days together."

  He hunches his shoulders and says, "Don't live in regret." Isaiah kisses my cheek, and then my neck, and then my lips. As he pulls away he glances behind me then hangs his head. "See you later."

  We turn away from each other and I close the door behind me. My head falls backward as I inhale the scent of Isaiah on my dress. Feeling the moisture on my cheek left behind by his soft lips I contemplate calling him back, but instead, I make my way to the bed.

  Chapter Eleven

  "We're back!" Monica yells from the front door. "Junior year, watch out!" I walk out of my room, and while wiping my eyes, I watch as Monica dances through the living room with her hips swaying from side to side in her polo shirt and crisp khakis. "Time to wake up and get to work."

  "Wait, why are you up so early? We still have another day before classes start." I drag my feet towards the kitchen and rummage through the cabinets for a box of cereal. Monica sits at the table and looks on as I pour a bowl of cereal.

  "I have to be on campus today, welcoming the freshman. Don't you want to come?" She bats her eyelashes at me and then continues, "What else would you be doing all day?"

  I take a deep breath. I don't have plans for the day, although I do need to unpack. "I was hoping to lie around lazily all day." She looks at me, lips pouting. "How about I meet you up there? There's no way I'm leaving this early." I glance at the clock that reads seven... in the morning. "No way."

  "I'll take it. Just call me when you get on campus. I plan to be in Harris Hall." She smiles widely at me. "Should bring back a few memories for us." Har
ris Hall was where Monica and I met, where we shared a room, and where she helped me battle with Chris' ex, Courtney.

  "Memories indeed." She walks through the house, attempting to wake Jennifer and Nicole with no luck.

  "If you see them before you leave can you invite them too?" I nod at her but we both know Jennifer and Nicole won't be as easy to convince. She grabs her bag and I realize her color scheme matches our school colors. Maroon polo shirt with a gold tote. "I had to reimagine my entire wardrobe." She laughs and walks out of the door.

  Nicole peeps around her bedroom door and whispers, "Is she gone yet?"

  My mouth drops. "Are you avoiding her?" She looks at me with an eyebrow raised.

  "This can't be life. The campaign was intense. But I knew there was an end in sight. I think I'll have to tell her I didn't sign up to be a permanent volunteer."

  I shake my head at her although she has a point. It won't hurt to be involved on campus. "I don't mind staying active on campus. As long as I control the activities and times I'm involved, I can help her out. Could be worse."

  "How?" I scrunch my eyes at Nicole. "I've been up since she was yelling in the living room. Like eyes wide open. How could anything be worse?"

  We laugh together and I say, "She wanted me to invite you to campus to mingle with the incoming freshman." She rolls her eyes at me. "If you come with me I'll have an excuse to leave when I want and you can keep me company."

  "You are not convincing me." She picks a cornflake from my bowl. "But maybe." I smile then warn her to keep her hands out of my cereal bowl.

  "Did you ever talk to Chris?" She sits back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest.

  "He's reached out a few more times but I haven't talked to him yet." She slants her eyes at me. "I'll try to talk to him today. You've been team Chris since he broke up with me. What's up with that?"

  She shrugs her shoulders and looks away. "I mean you had a summer of flings...there was the IT nerd, the football star, the high school crush." She looks at me with one eyebrow raised. "Anyone else?"