Off Script

Two Days and a Maybe-MBJ POV

I nodded.

"I will tell you this though, Michael... she is like the daughter I never had. I don't want to... what the kids say today? Air her business out?... but she has been hurt badly. So if you want to step up, I want you to be sure. Her and J.C mean a lot to me. I watched her carry him through these hallways. I was even there when he was born.

"She always had a rocky relationship with her mom, so we kind of helped fill the void with each other in what we missed in life. For her, a mother. And for me, a daughter."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Wow," I said, glancing at Mina's office.

I could see her through the blinds. I noticed she got her hair braided. Must have gotten it done the day after the Halloween party.

I looked back at Ms. Mildred.

"I hope I didn't overwhelm you, baby, or make you change your mind. I'm just very protective, and given who you are, I want you to be sure." She patted me on the shoulder.

"No, Ms. Mildred. I really appreciate it. Thank you for that. It puts things in perspective for me. You don't have to worry about my intentions. I fell hard for both Mina and J.C. very quickly."

She smiled.

"Well alright then. Make sure you tell me on your way out so I can block out the two days I need," she said, laughing.

I walked away and turned back around.

"Wait, Ms. Mildred, why two days?" I was confused.

She gestured for me to step forward and she whispered in my ear.

"In case the date gets spicy," she said, patting me on the shoulder again.

I started to laugh and covered my mouth.

"Noted, Ms. Mildred... noted," I said, shaking my head.

I glanced back at Mina and she was still focused, still typing at her computer.

I turned back toward Mina's office, that little smirk from Ms. Mildred still tugging at my lips.

I knocked once on the doorframe before stepping inside.

She looked up, startled. Her fingers froze mid-type, eyes widening slightly like she wasn't expecting me.

"Michael," she said softly.

"Hey," I replied, my voice lower than usual. A little nervous. A little... locked in.

It wasn't just her presence that hit me—it was how she looked. She had her hair braided since the last time I saw her. Her braids were long and neat down her back. Shit I wouldn't mind wrapping those around my hand and hitting it from the- whoa I shook my head and arched my shoulders back.

 Snap out of it man.

 "I see you got your hair done," I said, eyes lingering for just a second too long. "Looks beautiful on you."

She smiled shyly, reaching up to touch one of the braids. "Thank you."

I bit my bottom lip for a beat, then exhaled and stepped farther in, letting the door close gently behind me.

We stood in the quiet for a second. The tension from the arcade hadn't gone anywhere. If anything, it had grown. A slow-burn. Not forced. Not rushed. Just thick with potential.

She leaned back in her chair and smiled softly.

"I wanted to see you," I said, sliding my hands into my pockets. "And give you something. Not... like a gift," I added quickly, "but an answer. About the date."

That caught her interest. Her eyes brightened just a little.

"I know we talked about going out," I continued, "but I didn't give you a day or time. So... I wanted to do this right. Officially."

She tilted her head slightly. "Okay..."

"How does Saturday sound? 5:30. Just us. It won't be anything too flashy—but it'll be intentional. Thoughtful. You deserve that."

She sat up a little straighter, her lips parting like she wanted to speak but was still processing.

"If you need time to get a sitter," I added, "I totally understand. But if for any reason you can't find one, I already talked to Kamila. She's on standby. Loves J.C. And he is already best friends with Lennox."

She blinked, touched. "You really thought this through."

"I've been thinking about you since we ran into each other, Mina," I said quietly. "How you show up for your son. How you carry yourself. That night of the Halloween party wasn't just a moment to me—it confirmed what I already felt building."

Her eyes softened, her voice quieter. "What's that?"

"That you're someone I could really fall for."

The silence between us filled again, not awkward—but heavy with meaning.

She looked at me for a long beat, her hazel eyes flicking to my mouth, then back up. I didn't move. Didn't step forward. I wanted her to know she had space. 

"I'd love to go out with you," she finally said. "Saturday at 7:30."

I smiled, finally allowing the tension in my chest to ease. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," she nodded.

"Now get out of here before Shannon or Myra start asking you to check their printers again like they did last week."

I gave her one last look before backing toward the door.

"Oh—and Ms. Mildred says she's blocking off two days," I said, raising my brows with a grin.

Mina covered her face, blushing. "Oh no she didn't..."

"Oh but she did..." I said as I slipped out.