Not My Type

by Taylor Love

  “Damn!” Calling him was one thing but she wasn’t prepared for the man in the flesh. She watched as he rang the bell again, this time looking up at the camera that he knew was there, raising that arrogant eyebrow of his.

  ROBERT KNEW SHE WAS looking at him through the peephole or through the camera that she’d made him install after the last time he’d randomly shown up. After the conversation with his mother and a tirade from Brihanna when he called to apologize, he had sat down and really evaluated their entire relationship. Pushing his hurt and anger aside, to look at it from an objective 360-view.

  Their relationship had always been a tightrope walk for them both. Neither of them had been confident in the direction they were heading, as they tried to navigate the landmines of a “real relationship”. From when they’d started as “wary combatants” then headed to “hesitant lovers”, and finally arrived at the “new couple” stage. They’d come a long way when he thought about it.

  His mother was right, his heart was involved. He’d known that really from the start but had brushed it off as treating her differently due to the bond they had with their friends. No the truth was all this was new for him, and he hadn’t wanted to put a name to what he was feeling. That would make it “real”.

  The way he had treated her had zero to do with Cam and Andrea. It may have started with him wanting to get in her pants, morphing into him wanting to make her happy, and in the end just be around her. He felt good when she was near, even at the start when they were needling each other. Her vibe gave him life, energized him. Robert had known her strong fear of getting pregnant and instead of being coolheaded and relieving her panic, his ego had added to it. Afterward, he’d only made it worse by refusing her apology. A man was supposed to soothe and vanquish his woman's fears and problems, not be the problem. He was hoping he could make it right. He didn’t want to lose someone he had just figured out he needed in his life.

  When the door finally opened, he swept his eyes over her, drinking in the sight. “Can I come in?”

  “I think that’s the first time you’ve ever asked.”

  Robert gave a small smile. “Is that a yes? You never answer my questions.”

  “You might as well. I literally was about to call you.” She wiggled the phone still cradled in her hand.

  “That's good.” He entered and watched as she shut the door. “That means we’re thinking along the same lines.”

  “That remains to be seen. Let's have a seat, my feet are tired from pacing.” She led him into the living room, her heart beating a mile a minute as he sat on the couch angling towards her. Her first instinct was to hug him, touch him and punch him all at the same time.

  They sat looking at each other until he finally said, “You look good...but you always do.”

  “Is that all you came here to say Robert?”

  “Naw.” He rubbed a hand over the top of his head before leaning forward. “I’m stalling, just like you were with the pacing.”

  She briefly touched his leg. “I’m glad you’re here...I think it’s important we talk.”

  The woman had only touched him for two seconds, yet he felt the tingle through his clothes. That’s how in-tune his body was to hers. He gritted his teeth to remain focused and just came out with it.

  “I’m sorry, about the way I acted that morning. I could have cleared everything up right then.” When she went to interrupt he shook his head. “I’m sorry that I didn’t accept your apology. It took a lot to admit you had overreacted, and I was petty not to let it go. I’m sorry that I wasn’t secure enough to talk when you came to my office trying to move past it. In a nutshell I was wrong. I want us to move on from this, if it’s something you want as well.”

  Mika didn’t know what she’d expected. The reality of him admitting his part in the disaster was refreshing. The day had come when Robert Lorde had apologized readily and fully, it was a new day indeed! He was quietly waiting on her response, not pushing or rushing just waiting. Still strong, still full of pride, yet vulnerable as he looked in her eyes. She reached out and took his hand.

  “I want that as well. Thank you for the apology. I’ll give you mine again. I’m sorry for how I reacted.” She squeezed his hand. “I know the man who remembers each and every time we’ve been intimate and celebrates it with flowers, is a man I can trust.”

  Robert let out a half embarrassed laugh. “You finally figured it out huh?”

  “Yeah, with a little help from your biggest fan, Yolanda at the flower shop.” Mika couldn’t help it. The cute bashful smile on his face made her lean in and give him a quick peck on the lips.

  “I knew I could trust you before I found out how sappy and romantic you are. I’m so sorry I ever made you think I didn’t. What I’ve never been sure of, was exactly where we stood with each other.” She lifted their combined hands in example.

  “Let’s call a spade a spade.” Robert announced. “We’re in a relationship.”

  “Are we?”

  He sighed heavily. Damn women for always wanting the words. “It’s what I’d like, and what we’ve been building up to. Do people who aren’t in a relationship have a fight like we just did? Unless they genuinely care for each other?”

  “Some do.”

  “Well, I don’t. I want us to acknowledge we’re a couple in a full-fledged, serious relationship. No more grey area.”

  “Okay,” she said quickly, suddenly shy. Mika bit her lip hard struggling not to shout out she was falling in love with him. Things were suddenly moving fast, she didn’t want to complicate things further. One step at a time was probably best for them.

  “I guess I’m in like with you,” she said slyly, scooting closer and putting her arms around his back.

  “Just like? You sure?” He gave her ass a gentle squeeze.

  She nodded her head yes before asking, “If I were to give you a note asking if you liked me, would you check yes or no?”

  He threw his head back laughing. “Neither. I’d ball it up then do this,” He swooped forward and kissed her until she went limp. “That would be part of the answer.”

  “And what would the other part be?”

  “I’d take your face in my hands.” He did. “Look you in your eyes...and tell you I’m falling in love with you.” He saw her eyes get watery but she didn’t say anything, while his heart knocked in his chest. “Hopefully in that scenario you won’t leave me hanging.”

  “I wouldn’t leave you hanging.” She let out a nervous laugh, her voice wavering. “You caught me off guard. I was just thinking I didn’t want to say the same and scare you off.”

  She stroked his jaw, palming his face. “I’m falling in love with you too. I think we’re in for a helluva ride.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  AS SPRING ROLLED IN their relationship grew, just like the budding flowers. From March on they spent large amounts of time together. Their communication skyrocketing as well. The new couple spent endless time talking with each other on the phone, through text, email, and in person. Filling in the gaps of knowledge they didn’t already know about each other.

  Whenever there was any question of a comment or action done by the other, they just asked for clarity. They worked to not let their defensiveness of these new feelings and situations get the best of them, and overall it worked. Simply put they were a full-fledged couple who were very happy. Their friends sighed with relief at the news and the four of them had gone on several double-dates since.

  By April, Mika’s neighbors were waving hello to Robert as they all started on their yardwork. One Saturday Mika’s mother had done a rare but not unheard of drop by. Robert had answered the door with an open shirt and jeans slung low on his hips. Her mother had been taken aback as Mika came upon the two. Beverly stayed long enough to have a cup of coffee and a chat with them. As her mother was leaving she had given Mika a hug, followed by a thumbs-up and a wink. Her mother apparently approved of her choice in romantic partner.

  Then one nigh
t in late April, after a date where she ended up at his place they made love. It wasn’t the first time since their reconciliation, but something about this time felt different. They trailed their hands along skin, kissed softly but deeply, admired and revered each other’s bodies. Appreciation and satisfaction there in each other’s eyes at the pleasure they were giving the other. Finished they had lain facing each other when Mika said what was in her heart.

  “Hey stalker...guess what?”

  “I’m not a stalker.” He kissed her forehead. “What?”

  “You are a stalker. But I love you...anyway.”

  “You love me?” Robert said faintly until the words sunk in. He half-sat up. “You love me?”

  “Yes. I love you Robert Lorde, even with all your horrible faults.” She smiled but then got serious and stroked his face. “I love you.”

  He put his forehead against hers. “I love you too. You’re my annoying princess, but God help me I love you.”

  It was now late May and Robert had gotten them tickets to a Tigers game. He had sprung for seats on the lower level directly behind the dugout. Excellent seats! They had gone to Opening Day last month, but she was excited to take in another game, as they were having outstanding weather lately.

  Mika was in her orange Tigers shirt with her foam Tigers paw, thoroughly enjoying the game. Robert found all her hand props for sports to be ridiculous. He had laughed and taken her picture next to the huge tiger at the gate anyway. As they were coming into the seventh inning stretch, she was busy nibbling on his ear. He kept pushing her away and telling her to focus on the game.

  “Ugh, fine. Then go get me a hotdog,” she said to him.

  “You can wait until the vender comes back around.”

  “Why can’t you do it? The break just started.” Mika looked at him and noticed he was fidgeting.

  “Just watch the game Mika,” Robert said tensely.

  She threw up her hands, shifting in her seat. “He’s telling me to watch the game and they’re not even playing,” Mika mumbled to herself.

  She glanced at the field, then at the monitors. Sometimes there were interesting baseball tidbits that she didn’t know. After the first trivia question flashed on the screen, she thought about complaining for her hotdog again, when she saw:

  MIKA WILL YOU MARRY ME? R.L.

  She snapped her head around so fast she was sure whiplash would follow tomorrow. Robert brought out the box he’d been hiding in his hand and opened it, while she looked at him wide-eyed. He was sweating, and it had nothing to do with the sunny day.

  “Mikala Renee Harrison, will you marry me?”

  “Oh my god, yes! Yes!”

  It was too fast, crazy and it was perfect! Throwing her arms around him their lips met for a joyful kiss. On the screen their faces were shown before fireworks graphics replaced them. The crowd around them continued to cheer. Mika was stupefied that he’d asked, and Robert was in disbelief and relief she’d said yes!

  Pulling back, Robert slipped the ring on her finger and she squealed, getting her first real look at it. He had to physically tilt her head up to regain her attention.

  “You sure about this...even though I’m not your type.” Robert inquired eyes serious and questioning.

  “I’m positive. You are not my type to date, but you’re my perfect type to marry.” Mika gave him an impassioned kiss, putting all that she felt into it. Pulling Robert up by the hand she grabbed her stuff as well. “Let's get out of here. I can show you at home just how much my type you really are.”

  THEY DIDN’T END UP going home but instead made a stop not far from the stadium. When Cam answered the door he gave them an easy smile and ushered them in.

  “Is Andrea home?” Mika was impatiently bouncing on her toes.

  “Yeah, she’s here.” Yelling towards the stairs, “Andrea come on down! Mika is here!”

  Andrea didn’t respond but they heard her footsteps soon enough. “Hey you two! I see you took in a game. How was it?”

  “It was the best game ever! Look what I got!” Mika held up her hand and wiggled her fingers.

  There was a heartbeat of silence as Andrea’s eyes took a second to send the message of what she was seeing to her brain. Then she let out a shriek, which triggered a shriek from Mika and the two women ran at each other.

  Both men winced, and Cam quickly moved away from the screeching and jumping women over to Robert, giving him a man hug and a hard pat on the back.

  “This is happening huh?” Cam had a huge smile on his face.

  Robert rubbed his brow and grinned back. “Yeah, it is.”

  “You do remember being in this very house, telling me I was proposing too soon, a couple months shy of a year after I met Andrea.”

  “Yeah...I might remember something like that,” Robert said slowly.

  “Yet, it’s only been eight months and you popped the question. Didn’t I tell you! When it’s the right one, you just know!”

  “You told me. I guess somethings you have to learn for yourself. I see the light now.” They shared a laugh and another hug.

  Meanwhile a few feet away, the ladies had settled down enough to actually talk.

  “I can’t believe this!” Andrea breathed out, trying to catch her breath.

  “Me either! He had them put the proposal on the big screen. Must have cost him a pretty penny.” Mika let out a wild laugh. “I know he hated that but it’s more proof that he loves me.”

  “Aww, that is romantic! Now let me really look at this ring!” Andrea gripped Mika’s hand bringing it closer.

  Robert had gotten her a 2 carat diamond with a ruby nestled on either side. Along the sides of the white-gold band were two rows of inset diamonds. So that the entire thing sparkled, no matter which way you looked at it.

  “It’s beautiful!” Andrea let out her own laugh. “This so fits you, you can see this from across a room!”

  “Girl, I know! I asked what made him decide on this ring. He said he needed something that was colorful, that blazed and dazzled like I do. Robert waxing poetic! I almost made him pull over so I could jump him!”

  Robert walked over and pulled Mika back to him. “What did I hear about jumping my bones? We can get out of here and take care of that.”

  “That can wait, you’re going to have the rest of your lives for that. Give me a hug.” Andrea pushed Mika out the way embracing Robert. “I can’t believe you proposed!”

  “Hey!” Mika objected.

  “It’s okay,” Cam consoled her. “You can hug Mr. Sexy.”

  Mika did as he congratulated her. “You are Mr. Sexy. But I’m marrying Tall, Dark, and Handsome!”

  The two couples traded places before Andrea asked, “Have you thought about when yet?”

  Cam looked down at his wife. “Dang, they just got engaged.”

  “Yes, sometime in the fall I’m thinking,” Mika said almost at the same time. “I’ll have firmer ideas after Robert and I talk it out.”

  “You sure you want to wait that long before you tie the knot?” Cam teased. “I don’t want him to change his mind, though I’ll help you track him down if he bolts.”

  “He won’t if he knows what's good for him.” Mika elbowed Robert, who just rolled his eyes.

  “Ya’ll tripping. I make sound decisions that I stick by.” He turned to his future wife, giving her a look that was just for her. “Mika is a solid investment. She will drive me crazy, but I expect to get a boatload of dividends back well into old age.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  BY THE TIME THEY LEFT Andrea’s house, it was around four in the afternoon and Mika knew her parents should be at home. Sometimes her father liked to golf, but that would have ended hours ago. She was so excited that she didn’t bother knocking, using her emergency key instead. Quickly deactivating the alarm and calling out. “Mama, Daddy, are you home?”

  The pair were already walking towards the entrance. Her mother came toward her clutching her chest.

  “Wha
t’s wrong? What’s happened?” Beverly rushed her questions out. Mika never used her key just because. Even when they were expecting her she rang the doorbell. The girl rarely called her “Mama” either.

  “What’s the problem babygirl?” Reginald aimed a glare at the man standing by his Mika’s side. A couple of months may have passed, but he hadn’t yet forgiven the man completely for hurting his little girl’s feelings. Word had come from the cousins to his wife, then from his wife to him.

  “Nothing is wrong. I’m sorry Mika barged in like this and scared you both.” That earned Robert a swat on the shoulder as Mika turned on him.

  “Hey, don’t apologizing for me.”

  “Someone had to do it. You could have waited until they answered the door.”

  As much as it usually amused Beverly to see someone going toe-to-toe with her stubborn daughter, she was still uncertain what was going on. “Can you both please save your display for later and explain what in the world is going on?”

  “Sorry, you’re right.” Turning her blinding smile on her parents Mika announced, “Robert asked me to marry him and I said yes. I’m getting married!” She launched herself at both parents.

  Beverly accepted the hug before pushing her daughter back, looking into her sparkling eyes. The unadulterated happiness she saw in them held her tongue. She wanted to question whether it was too soon, whether she was sure, and whether they were both ready. Instead she gave Mikala a hard hug back. “That's wonderful! Let me see the ring!”

  Reginald walked forward and held out his hand to Robert. “Congratulations son. You better make my little girl happy.”

  “It will be top on my to-do list for the rest of my life.”

  “He will.” Mika turned to Robert, giving him a slow smile. “He takes extremely good care of the women he cares about.” Going to her father she gave him another hug. “I can’t wait for you to walk me down the aisle.”