As I parked in my driveway, I sat back and sighed as I glanced at my cell phone.
10:47 p.m.
"Great!" I mumbled sarcastically under my breath as if someone was in the car to over hear it.
After a few moments, I finally found the strength to open my car door and get out.
It had been one of those weeks when work was so demanding that having a 12+ hour day was unavoidable. As an account executive with one of the region's largest full-service marketing firms, my week is often filled with team and client meetings, writing proposals, and attending networking events in hopes of helping our team find our next big client.
Needless to say, I was looking forward to a night of "Netflix and Chill" only I didn't have anyone to chill with. Just me, myself and I.
It has been more than a year since my last relationship. Not that I didn't have plenty of offers. I didn't consider myself the prettiest girl in the world, but I was far from ugly. I am what many would consider a BBW. I am about 5'2", chunky, dark skin, naturally long hair, and wear a 44DD bra. I went on a few dates here or there since my break-up, but none of them turned serious.
After jumping in the shower and slipping on my favorite jammies, I popped open my favorite red wine and poured a huge glass and headed to my room to finish out the night catching up on shows I had missed during the week.
"Zzzzz zzzzz"
My phone vibrated and immediately I thought, "Please no emails...I can't take it. I need a break!"
"Zzzz zzzzz"
Curiosity got the best of me so I grabbed the phone and saw that it was a message on Connected from Dre.
I don't know how to describe our relationship. Dre and I met back in college at a party. We both were wallflowers and ended up spending most of the night talking and checking on our friends as they got drunk. We ended up exchanging numbers and staying in touch.
Dre was not that tall himselfβ5'7", brown skin, bald and had an athletic frame. He was definitely a looker.
We never really dated, but we were definitely more than friends. However, not quite friends with benefits either because we had never had sex. Yet, there was no denying. The sexual tension was there between us.
I haven't talked to Dre in about a year and it's been much longer since I've seen him. He moved to Atlanta a few years ago and over time, we talked less and less. That's life I guess.
I sent him a message a few weeks ago on Connected to let him know that was I was coming to Atlanta at the end of the month for a conference and was hoping that we could meet for lunch or dinner one day to catch up. When I didn't hear from him, I figured he wasn't interested.
I opened up the message: "What's up? It's been a while buddy. That's cool you'll be in Atlanta and I'm definitely down with meeting up. Give me a call when you have a minute. Still have the same number."
"Ahhhh!" I excitedly shrieked.
I dialed his number and after two rings a deep voice answered: "Hey Jasmyn! How are you?"
"I'm good! What have you been up to?"
"You know, same old thing different day. Just working and enjoying life. What about you? Married yet?"
"Sir, first of all, if I was married, I definitely wouldn't be on the phone with another man at this hour. My boo and I would be too busy getting it on," I responded as I laughed. "So, how's Niecy? Obviously y'all haven't moved in together yet, unless you're hiding to talk to me."
"Really? Dang, it has been a while since we've talked. I caught old girl in the act cheating. That was it for me. You know I don't like to share shit, definitely not my girl. So that was that for us. Anyway, let's talk about your visit to Atlanta."
Dre and I spent the next few minutes talking about the conference and my travel plans. Although my conference started on a Monday, I had planned to get to Atlanta the Friday before to enjoy the weekend and explore the city.
"Are you heading to the conference hotel when you arrive or waiting until Monday?" asked Dre.
"Monday. I figured I would find someplace to stay on the outskirts of the city for the weekend," I answered.
"Well, um, how about coming to stay at my place? I would love to see you and it would be like old times. Remember how you use to come crash at my place during college and of course, you being such a nerd always spent the time studying," he said with a laugh.
"You got jokes. But, yeah it was fun times. It would be a good way for us to catch up and whatnot. I'm down!"
We talked for another hour or so talking before we called it a night. Over the two weeks, we talked or texted almost daily about our day, current events, or just to joke around. It felt like old times and I was really looking forward to spending some time with Dre.
Finally, it was time for me to head to Atlanta. Since the city is only five hours away, I figured I would drive instead of fly. I hated flying anyway so I was glad when I found out the conference was going to be in Atlanta.
As I got close to the city, I dialed Dre.
"What's up? Made it into the city yet?" he answered.
"Yeah. The GPS says I'm about 30 minutes from your place."