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“Masterpiece” - Sault



I’m doom scrolling, trying to ignore that every nerve in my body is buzzing like I took a pre-workout.

It’s only been sixty-two days.

That’s how long I’ve been talking to a woman I once thought existed only from an app.

We’ve cycled through early morning check-ins, late night chats, and FaceTime calls that crept into early mornings. I know her wake up time and her favorite coffee order. Her storytelling hooks you like your favorite TV drama series. Every conversation has me thinking about our future plans.

And right now, her flight lands any minute, and I’m stuck in my head.

I’ve been running through these dating apps searching for something real, and I think…

No.

I know I found it. Her energy is magnetic. She’s outgoing, but peaceful; conservative yet undeniably sexy. The kind of balance most people spend a lifetime trying to find in someone.

Am I ready for a woman this secure? This perfect?

I catch myself and shake it off.

There I go again.

I deserve someone like her.

My phone rings and I jump, snatched out of my own head.

The blunt is in my hand before I can think twice.

Pull deep.

Blow out slow, then answer.

“Nahlia, you made it?”

My voice cracks.

Embarrassing. Tighten up man.

“Hey! Yes, I did. I still need to grab my luggage and my rental. Can I just swing by you afterwards?”

“Yeah, um…” I clear my throat. “Yeah, I’ll be here. You sure you don’t want me to come pick you up?”

“No, no! I told you I didn’t want to burden you. I still plan to link up with some friends one of these days. You might discover you hate me, then, I can leave you be.”

She chuckles.

“I can only hate you if you never bring your pretty face here.”

“If you say so.”

“I’ll text you the addy. Drive safe, this storm is looking crazy.”

“Right! A whole hurricane watch on my birthday weekend.”

“They hype these storms up. Never as bad as they say.”

“I hope so. I can’t wait to see you, Avant.”

“Me too. I mean…I can’t wait to see you.”

Between the thick humidity and my clammy skin caused by my nerves, I need to clean up a bit.

Nahlia deserves the best version of me.

After a shower, I quickly spray on my favorite cologne.

I’m so busy packing and getting ready that I don’t notice headlights creeping through the window.

I pause to take a deep breath and look out the window.

She pulls up slowly, searching for the address.

My bag goes over my shoulder as I reach for my blunt to take another hit, only to realize it’s gone.

Shit, I gotta go to the gas station.

Walking onto the driveway, every one of my thirty-two teeth is on display, my silver braces catching the porch light.

She’s smiling right back at me as I walk up.

The car door swings open.

“Avaaaant!”

Dropping into the seat, I throw my bag in the back and immediately lean in for a hug.

Our embrace lasts longer than I plan because I need a second to confirm she’s actually real.

Still can’t believe she’s here.

She smells sweet, warm, and expensive.

Her curls flow effortlessly, and her copper skin reflects in the streetlights.

She pulls back, blushing, and those Egyptian almond eyes lock on mine.

Silence lingers long enough to hear the windshield wipers fighting the rain.

Stay cool.

“Wow,” I say.

“Whaaat?”

“Absolutely stunning. Even on a rainy night like this.”

She giggles.

“I’m a lucky guy.”

“Ok where to?! I know it’s late, but I need food and a drink.”

“You want to keep it low-key tonight? Let’s grab some food. There’s a liquor store close by.”

“Works for me!”

“Aight, cool. Turn left at the end of this street. I need to grab some woods.”

And some rubbers, maybe?

She taps her thumbs on the steering wheel until I ask about her flight.

“It was cool. Surprisingly the weather didn’t cause a lot of turbulence.”

After parking the car, she slowly wipes her hands on her dress.

I hope I’m not making her feel uncomfortable.

Inside the gas station I realize I never asked if she needed anything.

She probably won’t notice.

Rubbers. Woods.

I’m staring at the Trojan display as if I never did this before.

Was her mentioning coming by a hint?

Items secured, back to her.

On the way back, I notice her texting with focus.

A quick scan of her face tells me she’s calm, and at ease.

Seems to be a check-in text, nothing heavy.

“You letting everyone know you made it?”

“Yeah! Just texting my mom and my home girl.”

“The home girl you linking up with?”

“Nah, back at home. The ones here already know I may or may not pull up on them. Depends on when you kick me to the curb,” answering quickly.

My lips smack.

“Man, why you keep saying that? You know you feel these vibes.”

She randomly bursts into singing“It’s a Vibe” by 2 Chainz.

“You silly. I’m surprised you know some new music.”

For a second, nothing comes out.

“Old lady.”

“It’s my birthday weekend, I’m trying to have some fun! Ain’t nothing old lady about that.”

“Aight then, put on your playlist. Let me hear what you into, prove me wrong.”

“Listen, just because I’m almost ten years older don’t mean I’m old.”

“Put on the playlist.”

Toni Braxton,“He Wasn’t Man Enough”plays first.

“See. Old lady music.”

“This is a classic, don’t play.”

“Yeah, it is.”

We both fall out laughing.

Despite the gloomy weather, her joy calms the storm.

Her presence feels less like meeting someone new and more like catching up with someone I forgot I always knew.

After a night of hitting every spot before last call, Nahlia asks if we’re heading to my place.

“I see you already packed a bag. You must’ve assumed I had a hotel.”

My stomach drops.

“You don’t?! I can book one right now.”

“I can’t crash at your place? Someone is hiding a wife.”

A laugh slips out. “Ah! You caught me.”

She twists her face.

“Don’t play like that, Avant.”

“Then don’t say things like that. You know I’ve been on the phone with you through the night.”

“Okay, so you just don’t want me at your house? It’s not clean or something?”

The lightning followed by explosive thunder makes Nahlia jump. Her elbow hits the steering wheel, causing the horn to honk as we sit in the liquor store parking lot.

“Ouch! Whew, that came out of nowhere!”

I’m still cheesing at her, smitten by her presence.

“All I’m saying is we need a sexy hotel for a sexy lady. It’s technically our first date, I want to do this right. For both of us. I’ll book a double bed just to take the pressure off.”

“Awww, look at you.”

The sarcasm is written all over her face.

“But you know me. I already booked a hotel. King bed. So, you gone need some self control.”

I throw my hands up and smirk.

“No problem.”

If I’d known where loving Nahlia would take me, I’d still have opened that passenger door.

© 2026 by Ynobe Simone