A.B. picked me up, surprising me with food that I was telling him I had a taste for - pizza! Look, I was only breaking my diet for today. Mr. Joe will have to understand. Better yet, I just won't tell him.
"Thank you for the pizza." I chewed, "please let me treat you to something before you leave."
A.B. glanced over at me as he drove. "Thanks, but I decline."
I pouted. "Sir, you can decline all you want. I'm gonna do it anyway." I took another bite of my pizza.
He chuckled, "How did your meeting and studio session go?"
I nearly turned my entire body to face him. "Nothing really got finalized in the meeting. There's a possibility that I'll be in a Super Bowl commercial with Aja. The label wants us to tour together starting in America; eventually, all over the world, and my album could be released at the beginning of next year. Ohh, I can't wait! A.B., you're gonna be the first person to hear my album. I know it'll be perfect. I have fast songs, slow songs, anthem songs, love songs, and a gospel song."
"Really?" A.B. sounded more shocked than Mel Pari when I told her over the phone.
"Yes! You inspired me to write it." I repeated Mel Pari's response, "I know it's a little 90s like how the throwback R&B artists used to do, but honestly, it's what's missing from music today. Remember when most singers started in the church choir? Now, they just cover songs and post them on social media."
A.B. nodded his head in agreement.
I sighed, "It's a risk, but I really think people will enjoy it or at least accept it."
A.B. encouraged me, "It's a great idea. I'd love to hear it."
I smiled, "You will." I grabbed my water bottle and took a sip. Suddenly, there were colorful, bright lights ahead of us. "Where are we going?"
"Santa Monica Pier."
I looked out the window. "Are you serious? I've been wanting to go since I got here."
A.B. turned into the parking lot.
I took off my Sia wig and sunglasses. "This looks so cool at night!" I exclaimed.
After we parked, we got out the car. The light breeze and smell of the ocean reminded me that I was in California, living my dream. I closed my eyes, inhaling the air. Is this what succeeding smells like? I opened my eyes to see A.B. gazing at me.
He appeared as though he was contemplating on asking me something, but he said, "I can't believe you've been in California all this time and still haven't been here."
I walked over to him. "Remember, I'm in a wonderful program called Artist Development."
"Zeke hasn't taken you anywhere outside the house, though?"
I guess my sarcasm went over his head or maybe that's what was on his mind to ask me.
"We went to one beach and a few restaurants. That's pretty much it, because he's been super busy. I mean, I understand, because that's how my schedule is now. I could come on my own, but when I get days off I sleep-in."
A.B. commented, "I don't blame you."
We walked side-by-side until we reached the pier. The temperature was cooler here. I leaned on the rail, watching the water. It was an unbelievable view. In our silence, I felt a connection as we looked out at the ocean.
"I can't believe I almost said no to this," I voiced my thoughts.
A.B. spoke, "You never know what you never know."
I glanced at him. "I like that... you never know what you never know."
A.B. explained, "It reminds me of how God can take you places you never thought you'd go, take you through situations you never thought you'd get out of. It's only when you trust in Him that He will show you how it was worth going through all the hardships in order to gain the skills and knowledge that you possess. With God, talent is never wasted."
I could listen to A.B. talk all night and never get tired of him.
He continued, "Like for me, it was easy to say I went to college, met a friend and we invested and sold property together, and therefore, I now work for myself and I can go anywhere I want; do anything I want to do, because I took those actions, but... something's missing." He looked at me.
I added, "It's missing details, the reality. It reminds me of storytelling - that's what I try to do with my songs. It's never easy and simple. There's always some kind of conflict. Our journeys can be emotional and heartbreaking because of failures or unforeseen circumstances just as they can be rewarding, exciting, and successful."
"Exactly," A.B. agreed.
I let my mind speak, "Even in my situation, I had to do something to get something. I went to an audition, and I met Zeke. To tell people I decided to come to L.A. to follow my dreams and now I'm signed to one of the biggest labels would be like false advertising which can only get you so far. This was not a coincidence. I truly believe God made all this possible."
A.B. glanced at me. "Doing what you and I... and many people have done is not easy, but it gets to a point where your Why has to be solid. The stronger your Why is, the longer you'll be able to withstand. When I look back, I don't know how I went through some of those moments in my life without knowing God. I used to take credit for everything I succeeded in, and I thought I was doing a great job on my own. All I wanted to do was get rich and make more money, but that only drained me. I was stressed out, unhappy, and unmotivated."
I nodded my head.
A.B. said, "It really takes God to give you complete confidence and courage to be able to survive in this world. It takes faith and trust in Him to make it. I didn't realize how close I came to the end had it not been for God covering me. He really got my attention, and I had to humble myself before Him. Now, I have a solid foundation, and I know who made it all possible for me to be alive today... and it wasn't money." He chuckled.
My grinned as I wondered what A.B. went through before he became who he is now. Looking at him, I'd never think he went through anything too severe. "I'm happy God protected you," I told him.
A.B. nodded his head, "I'm glad God protected you, too."
I began to shiver as I wrapped my arms around myself.
"Are you cold?" A.B. asked me.
"A little, but I don't want to leave yet," I confessed.
"I wish I brought a jacket," A.B. said. "Get closer to me."
Without hesitation, I nearly rammed my shoulder into A.B.'s shoulder. He took a step back. Before I knew it, he was standing behind me with his chest almost against my back. The butterflies in my stomach were having a party.
I'm sure the fish in the ocean could see me blushing. I'll turn into a dolphin if he makes any sudden movement. I know I'm not right, but neither is A.B. He knows I like him. I mean, I like him as a friend. That's all we can be, anyway.
"Before I forget, you're lease will be up in two weeks," A.B. informed me.
How could I forget? I slightly turned my head to see the side of his face. "Where will you live?"
"I'll have a place by then," he answered.
I looked straight ahead. "Are you staying in East Grove?"
"Of course."
I happily exhaled. "Good."
"Don't worry about your things. I'll put them in storage."
I don't care about that. Jamie, what are these thoughts? Stay focused. "Thank you. Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah."
"What's the longest relationship you've ever been in?" Girl, what happened to staying focused?
A.B. didn't miss a beat. "Two years."
"Why did it end?"
"I wasn't willing to do certain things. She wanted more excitement."
I arched my brow.
"Same question to you," he stated.
I bucked my eyes. "Okay..." I took a deep breath. "Do not laugh."
"I won't."
"Four months," I regrettably answered.
A.B. was quiet.
I completely turned around.
A.B. took a step backwards. "You ready to go?"
"No," I folded my arms. "Are you not gonna ask me why it was so short?"
A.B. grinned, "Tell me."
"He graduated, and he went right back to wherever he came from." I waited to see or hear A.B.'s reaction.
He asked, "Graduated?"
"He graduated a year before me. I was so easily influenced when I was in high school."
"High school?" A.B. asked, "You haven't dated anybody as an adult?"
I held my head down. "Not seriously... I've been on a few dates." I turned back around to lean on the rail.
"Dating is hard," A.B. continued, "Especially, these days."
I shook my head. "I blame men or rather the boys that's pretending to be men." I glanced at A.B.
He smiled at me. "Are you ready to go?"
"Just a few more minutes. I may not get this opportunity anytime soon; especially, after you go."
A.B. stood next to me. "Do you think you'll be able to have a relationship with your busy schedule?"
I thought before answering, "I think I can, but the guy has to understand my career."
"I can understand it. My career isn't really structured. Today, I flew out for business."
"And a little pleasure," I spat out.
We both laughed.
"This is really relaxing. I'm glad we could hang out, again," A.B. told me.
I rubbed my arms. " Me, too. Hanging with you is always fun. You're such a good listener, and you know how to hold a good conversation. That's why I like you."
"I like you, too."
What did I get myself into? What am I supposed to say that? Now, I was freezing.
A.B. ended the silence. "It's been a long time since I felt like this."
I remained quiet as I listened to the waves, and the people walking and talking nearby.
"I remember walking in my uncle's store, expecting to meet some college student who would train me. Instead, I met a very beautiful, funny, intelligent woman. Do you remember when I walked you to your car?" He asked me.
"Mmm-hmm."
A.B. lightly laughed, "It's been years since I walked a woman to her car. That week at work when we had the cooking competition and talent show, it wasn't just a fun week, I got to see how you are at work. You didn't hesitate to help anyone. Whether it was a customer or your co-workers, you had so much patience. And you always found something to do even when there wasn't any work."
I never knew how much attention he paid me, but everything was starting to make sense. So, I asked him, "When did you know for sure?"
A.B. immediately answered, "At Yellow Sand Beach."
I boldly faced A.B. "Me, too."
We stared at one another for a few seconds. My heart was no longer beating hard or fast. It was just right.
He asked, "What time do you have to be back?"
"Not anytime soon."
A.B. held his hand out to me.
I took it. "Your hand is so warm."
"That's because I'm with you."
I pointed at him with a smile on my face. "You can't say stuff like that to me. I'm trying to stay level-headed."
A.B. grinned, "Don't worry. I have self-control."
"I'm still a work-in-progress." I made it clear.
"We all are," A.B. told me.
If he keeps this up, I'd be able to get out of any situation. But please don't start testing my weaknesses now.
He said, "Let's go."
We held hands as we walked back to the car.