Page 11 of Book Bae

“Yeah. Those are the vibes I get from you, but a man can be wrong. Just have a hard time imagining you hunching to Strokin’.”

I laughed so hard. “Not quite, but I love good music, especially when they have a good story to tell, like blues and country music. A lot of people think I’m crazy when I say that I listen to country music, but it’s part of our heritage.”

“Yeah, well the roots of country music are steeped in black culture. The industry grabbed hold of it as they do with everything, marketed it to the white folks’ segment, and pushed their artists to the forefront, when their artists were learning from ours. So, yeah, I feel you on country music.”

“You ever been to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville?”

“I can’t say that I have.”

“You should go; it’s an experience. I like to travel a lot, so that’s why I’ve been able to check it out.”

“Where do you travel?”

“I own my own travel agency, so I’ve traveled all over. I’ve been to Spain, Cape Town, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and Paris. I’ve been to plenty of tropical islands, Canada, South America, and a few places in Europe, and all fifty states.”

“Nice.”

“What about you? What do you like doing when you’re not at romance events with thousands of black women going crazy over a book bae?” I teased, pointing at the security logo and words on the front of his hoodie.

He smirked, and it felt so personal, like he was sharing a secret with me.

“I travel a little bit, but I usually find myself in New York checking out plays, symphonies, and cultural museums. Now, I will travel to check out food from various countries and old ruins. Other than that, I’m basic. I love shopping, going on vacation with friends and family, and reading, that kind of stuff.”

“You like plays. That’s unique. I don’t think I’ve ever met a man who does. What are some of your favorites?”

“Lion King, Lost Boys, and Wicked. I still want to see Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.”

“You sound so damn cultured,” I stated, laughing lightly.

“Not half as cultured as you, Miss World Traveler. Is that what you do all the time?”

“No. I work too hard running my business to travel as much as I’d like, but I do get away about six times a year. Other than that, I’m usually at home reading or out socializing with my friends.”

“Solo or with friends? Traveling, I mean.”

“Usually, there’s a group of us, but I always reserve the right to separate and do our own thing. I really don’t like clingy people or being locked into an itinerary. It feels like it inhibits me from being my true self. I don’t always want to feel like I have to put on to get people’s approval, and sometimes I find myself doing that when I’m with a group of people. They expect certain sacrifices, and if I don’t meet their expectations, then there’s a problem.”

He motioned to the server who came over to our table. “Can we get a refill on our drinks, please?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be right back with your bourbon and her red wine,” the waiter stated.

We started with coffee and graduated to alcohol.

He turned his attention back to me. “I can appreciate needing to have your freedom. I feel the same way, except when it comes to my woman. I expect to know where she’s at and what she’s got going on. If I don’t, how can I protect her?”

“Why does she have to be protected by you? What makes you think she can’t protect herself?”

“She can, to a certain extent, but there are times in life where a woman can’t protect herself. Her strength will never match a man’s. Hell, I can’t beat everyone, so I know she can’t. I just want her to know that I have her, with me she never has to worry, and I don’t want her to cause me to worry either, not if she cares about my heart the way I care for hers. The woman who is my soulmate will never have to prove herself to me. She doesn’t have to try to compete or be my equal. I just need her to be my lady, and I’ll be her man. Simple and true.”

“You’ve got a point,” I conceded. “What are your character flaws other than overprotectiveness?” I teased.

He smirked. “Maybe not flaws as much as they’re pet peeves. Like when people ignore me; it’s just rude, and that doesn’t sit right with me. I don’t always have an easy time of facing difficult realities either.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like if I’ve poured my heart and soul into something and gave it my all, and then it still doesn’t come out right, I sometimes need a minute to get in the right space. I don’t want anyone trying to tell me how to handle things; give me a minute to process it and peace it out.”

“I can understand that. Sometimes you don’t want people all in your space and head when you’re trying to figure out your own emotions. They get all mixed up, and sometimes you’re not clear on what you feel versus what someone has put in your head.”