Chapter 3
Waking up the next morning, I see a text from Michael.
M: Good morning mi Beleza.
C: Good morning my Outlaw. How are you?
M: Absolutely perfect.
C: Really now. How's that?
M: I get to wake up and text a beautiful woman. Doesn't get much better than that.
C: Do you now? How could it get better?
M: If I could wake up next to that beautiful woman.
C: Smooth talker huh?
M: Is it working?
C: Maybe. Lol. I better head to work.
M: Text you later?
C: You better. Be careful today.
M: You too mi Beleza.
I look at my phone and smile. He's really easy to talk to. I get to work and Mandy comes over. "So, have you talked to him?" she asks. I show her the texts from this morning. "I talked to him on the phone for about two hours last night. He's really easy to talk to." I tell her. "That's good though but don't rush into anything. Make sure you're comfortable with everything before you do anything." she tells me. "I will. He's making things so easy though." I tell her. "What does Beleza mean?" she asks. "He said it means Belle in Spanish. Since I'm a Southern Belle and all." I tell her laughing. "Good to see you happy." she tells me and my smile gets bigger. A little later at lunch, my phone dings.
M: How's your day going mi Beleza?
C: Better now my Outlaw. How's your day?
M: A lot better now. Only have a minute and wanted to make sure you didn't forget me.
C: Never. You want to call me tonight?
M: Absolutely. I better get back.
C: Talk to you tonight. Be safe.
M: Always sweetheart.
I look at my phone and smile. A real smile. He's really sweet and isn't pushing me for anything more than conversation right now. I find myself looking forward to talking to him tonight. And my good morning texts? I am really starting to get used to those. After work, I am lying in bed watching a movie when my phone rings. "Hey." I say as I answer. "Hola Beleza." he says and I can't help but smile. "How was your day?" he asks. "Long." he tells me. "I'm sorry. Anything I can do?" I ask. "You're already doing it sweetheart." he says. "And what's that?" I ask softly. "Giving me something to look forward to." he says. "I know the feeling. I couldn't wait to get home today for you to call. You're just so easy to talk to and I don't feel all this pressure that I thought that I would." I tell him. "Can I ask you something?" he asks. "Sure." I tell him. "Do you think that meeting up would be something you can see for us? When you're ready?" he asks. "I think so. There's something you need to understand. My last relationship, the guy that I was with, he...well, he wasn't that nice to me. Telling me all the time that I was too fat. Things like that. I will never be a skinny girl. But I am happy with the way I look. He wasn't and him making it known, took a toll on me." I tell him. "I've seen the pictures that are on your profile and I don't see anything wrong with you." he tells me and I smile. "You know none of those pictures show all of me right?" I ask. "I know. But you'll let me see in your own time." he tells me. "Shit. Can you be more perfect?" I ask and start laughing but he doesn't. "Are you okay Michael?" I ask. "Yeah Beleza. Just thinking." he says. "About what?" I ask. "Would you let me take you on a date?" he asks. "Michael…" I start. "Please? We can get coffee at the park or just get tacos from one of the food trucks. Just something simple." he tells me. "Coffee at the park sounds perfect. Saturday at eleven okay?" I ask. "Perfect." he tells me. We talk a little longer and I tell him I better go. "Dormir dulce mi Beleza." he says and I feel the butterflies in my stomach do summersaults. "Sleep sweet my outlaw." I tell him before ending the call.