Page 4 of Missing White Woman
I opened the app on my iPhone and prepared for the onslaught of the first automatically loading videos on my For You page.
A somber-looking blond white chick popped up under four words: Where is Janelle Beckett???
Though the name was slightly familiar, I didn’t stick around to find out. Just thumbed to the next video, this one a Black woman with deep brown skin as clear as glass. I sat back and watched.
I was five videos and three products-I-need-to-buy-right-this-very-moment deep into her TikTok when the door banged open. I screamed, then reached for the Mace in my bag, all while praying I’d remember how to actually get it to work. Only one thought went through my head.
Of course my mother was right.
I just hoped it wasn’t my last.
“Bree, it’s just me.”
Ty stood frozen in the doorframe in his dress shirt, a hint of muscle caressing each sleeve. He was tired, the bags under his eyes a dead giveaway that this wasn’t his first late night at work.
“I called out when I came in,” he said.
I forced myself to relax, deep breaths in and out like right after I finished a run. After a good ten inhales, I was finally able to speak. “I didn’t even hear you come up the stairs. It’s like the whole place has been soundproofed or something.” I paused, then took him in again. “Not necessarily a bad thing.”
He laughed, and when he stepped inside, I could practically see him shedding the stress. “I missed you.” He sounded like he meant it too.
“How was work?”
But he was shaking his head before I even got to the w. “No work talk. Please.”
“Fine,” I said. “This place is gorgeous. Have you stayed here before?”
“Nope. First time seeing it in person was when I checked in this morning. Found it online. I’m just glad the pics did it justice.”
He stopped a foot from my side of the bed, taking me in from head to toe to head again. I wished I’d struck a better pose than just sitting up against the upholstered gray headboard. At least I’d touched up my makeup. Damn my mother.
He bent down to kiss me and had the nerve to try to stand back up, but I wouldn’t let him. Just cupped his face in my hands, wiping off traces of my Dope Taupe Mented lipstick from his dope medium-brown skin. Because I had missed him too.
Even with the bags under his eyes, he was divine, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. He somehow got more beautiful the more I looked at him. Ironic, considering I hadn’t paid him any attention when we met.
We’d been on the same weekend running schedule even during the winter. Both of us preferred the same trail. He claimed we passed each other for two straight Saturdays before he told me my shoe was undone. I hadn’t noticed it, just like I hadn’t noticed him. I definitely did after. It took another two weeks before he asked me out. I immediately said yes, assuming it would be another one-and-done. Except I enjoyed myself so much that I didn’t make an excuse when he asked when he’d see me again.
And now here we were.
My mother would find flaws for sure, but she’d have to look hard as hell. He was tall, attractive, but not intimidatingly so, with both a decent job and decent teeth. And he had no kids despite being thirty-two and everything I just mentioned. If I weren’t already dating him, she’d want to set me up.
He finally retreated, going for the bag he’d left in the doorway. “I know being this late that I couldn’t come up in here empty-handed.”
I feigned confusion. “Jewelry stores aren’t open this time of night…”
“It’s even better. Close your eyes.”
I made a big production of slapping both hands over my eyes.
When he spoke again, it was from a few feet away. “Hold out your hand, but keep your eyes closed.”
I did as told. After a second, I felt a bag, then smiled and opened my eyes. Sure enough, it was what I’d thought. “Muddy Buddies.”
My snack of choice. Luckily cookies and cream since he was allergic to peanuts. He shook his head as I tore the bag open and shoved a handful into my mouth. “Gross.”
I leaned forward. Smacked my lips. “Let me give you another kiss hello.”
“Not with that Muddy breath.”