Loving True by Marie Rochelle

he glanced over at True. I can’t believe tonight isn’t totally ruined. He got out of the Blazer and opened the door for her. “Do you still want to watch the movies with me later?” He asked True as she got out of the car.
    The rich smell of new leather hung in the air between them. Colorful wildflowers danced in the hot late July breeze behind them, but none of the scene’s natural beauty interested him. He wouldn’t be happy until she agreed to see him tonight.
    “Yes if you still want to.” She moved out of his way, so he could shut the car door.
    “Wonderful.” His heart slowed from racing pound to a slow steady throb. “Why don’t we go inside?”  
    * * * *
    Grabbing one of the bags from the backseat, True followed Hayward into the house but her mind was still on what happened at the store. Softly, she closed the door and followed him into the kitchen.
    “Just set the bags on the table.”    
    She placed the bags on the table, and then watched Hayward take everything out and put it away. She couldn’t hold it in any longer. She had to know if what Nikki said was true. “Did you really ask me out to see what is it like to be with a black woman?”
    Hayward paused in front of the freezer with the package of frozen biscuits in his hand. Tossing the biscuits inside, he spun around and stared at her. “What would make you say something like that?” He took a step toward her and she quickly took a step back.
    “You aren’t answering my question.”
    “I asked you out because I found you very attractive.”
    “Have you ever dated a black woman before?”
    “No, I haven’t, but I’m not trying to date you out of curiosity,” Hayward uttered.
    “The temptation of an attractive black woman living right next door and the slim chance you might get a chance with her wasn’t enticing.” She countered.
    “Fine, I did wonder for a second or two what it would be like,” Hayward confessed softly.
    True glared at Hayward as he soft-spoken words rolled around in her head. His honestly wasn’t helping the situation it only made matters it worse. “Well, I guess Nikki isn’t the liar you tried to make her out to be.” True exclaimed.
    “ Hayward , I don’t think we should have the movie date. Furthermore, I’m not sure if we can even be friends either.” True turned on her heel, strode out of the room and then she went out the front door slamming it behind her.

Chapter Six
     
    A long boring month had past since True stormed out of Hayward ’s house over the Nikki incident. “I can’t believe I let him use me like that,” she mumbled falling down on the chaise with a book in her hand. Hayward had called her several times during the past four weeks, but she hadn’t answered the phone. When that didn’t work he came over and tried to encourage her to open the door. She hated to admit it, but she actually missed him. The way his eyes wrinkled at the sides when he smiled. Or how a lock of hair fell across his head every time a light breeze stirred up, begging her fingers to brush it back in place.  
    “I can’t keep fighting this temptation or hiding in the house every time I see him outside.” She knew deep down if Hayward came over again she would answer the door. “Please let him stay at home. I’ve got to keep a safe distance from him.”
    She opened the newest bestseller on the market, but she couldn’t focus her attention on the black and white print. The tiny writing became more blurred as her mind wandered. The well-written reviews in the newspaper two weeks ago were what had made her purchase it, but the book wasn’t living up to the hype.  
    “I can’t even get off of chapter one.”   Her eyes stared down at the book; this was her first time reading a mystery and her last.   The characters didn’t jump off the pages fast enough for her. “Maybe I’m not giving the book a fair chance.” She turned back to page one and hoped for the best.
    An hour later, True tossed the