Taj POV

Finally!

The guys crossed and after celebrating with them, there was only one place he wanted to be. With Faye.

Even after seeing Sherry again, he knew in his heart he was over her and ready to move on. He had to convince Faye that he was serious about her and that it was not just a crush.

He texted Faye before the end of the probate show and she was free because she had a friend watching her daughter. He was so hyped that he could finally take her out. He left the probate celebrations early to shower, get a fresh shave and change into something date-worthy-dark slacks and shirt, even a tie, and his best dress shoes. He made sure he smelled good as well, girls liked that stuff.

He drove to her place and walked to the door, texting her as he walked to let her know he was outside.

Before he made it to the door, she was coming out of the house, locking up behind her.

"Oh wow!" he said to her.

She was dressed in an outfit he appreciated, showing off her curves. He was glad she was not one of those girls that covered their curves but put them on display. She wore a red dress fitting her perfectly, and red sling heels. He was not much into designer name anything, but it seemed higher-end. She was not dressed like a broke college student like him.

"Hey, Taj." She gave him a light hug.

He smiled because she smelled good as well.

"Thanks for agreeing to go out with me. I know it's a hassle with balancing your daughter-"

"Yes, but it is the weekend, and I am still grown and like to have some fun and dress up and go out with a cute guy sometime."

"You think I'm cute?"

"Oh come on Taj, you know you're handsome." She leaned closer and kissed him on the lips. "No, you're sexy."

That made him blush. He never thought he was the type of guy girls fell all over. He was just a regular Joe. So it pleased him that a girl of Faye's caliber found him attractive.

He held the door open for her then strolled over to his side to get in, stopping himself from doing a little dance he was so happy.

"So, where are we off to?" she asked once he started up the car.

"Well, you're looking this good, I want to show you off to my bruhs...but no, I don't want to share you with them just yet."

"First of all, share? Boy, please. And why do you need to show me off to your little frat brothers? We're just going on a date Taj, I never said it was anything more."

"We can be a lot more...but I'll let you call it when you're ready." He pulled off and headed to his destination.

There was no way he was taking her to a simple place to eat and call it a night. He wanted to take full advantage of spending time with her. Jim's Steakhouse was nice because they had nice affordable food and a live band always playing. He was still a college student on a scholarship that got by working part-time in the same office that she did.

Because she was a grad student and full-time, she made way more than home. In fact, he was sure she knew how little she made. Obviously, that did not matter to her, she still wanted to be with him. He was already planning in his head other places he wanted to take her and things to do with her.

"You ever been here?" he asked her as he parked.

"No. I've only been here since school started and I don't go out anywhere. If I am eating out it's McDonald's or Pizza Hut, something a kid will enjoy."

"I've been here over three years now, not much to Bloomington-Normal, but the few spots they have, I know about." She started to get out of the car but he put his hand on her arm and stopped her. "Wait."

He hopped out and made his way to her side so he could help her out like a gentleman. She straightened her skirt and then smiled at him.

"You're always a smooth operator or you're trying to get brownie points?"

"I like sweet things, so sure," he said with a grin at her.

Then out of nowhere, she pulled him to her for a kiss. He liked her assertiveness, it sure was a turn-on.

"Was that sweet enough for you?"

"Now I need to cool off." He loosened the collar of his shirt a bit. He was all warm and fuzzy feeling. "Come on, let's enjoy the night."

He took her hand and they walked into the restaurant. The band already was in high swing and a singer performed as well. They were seated and looked over the menus.

"Maybe I should not have worn something so tight, I want to eat everything on this menu!"

"Enjoy yourself, get whatever you like."

She ordered a stuffed chicken breast with a sage dressing and mashed potatoes and he ordered the lobster tail with a salad and a baked potato. There was plenty of bread for them to eat before their meal and they ordered drinks as well. Faye ordered a white red and he tried the same, even though he was not a wine drinker. The waitress ID'd them both and he understood. He was only twenty-two and probably looked younger, and Faye did not look her age at all.

"This place is nice, and I like the music," Faye said, slathering her bread with butter. "It's not too corny or anything, it's just right. You must take a few girls here."

He took offense to that. Yes, he had, but that was only because there were not too many nice places in the small town.

"I've dated since I've been to school here, yes. I'm not the type of guy to just bring every girl I meet here. You have to be special."

"Humph!"

"Come on Faye, I'm trying to get to know you, you're trying to get to know me. Tell me something about yourself."

"Well, you know I have a daughter. I was married and divorced young."

"Really?"

"Yes. You know how you're young, fall in love, and think every person is the one? Well, I thought he was. Met him in college. Dated less than two years and we were engaged. Another year planning a wedding. Married less than a year when I found out he was a serial cheater. Had several girlfriends, including one of my close friends who was in my wedding."

"Ummm...wow." He was speechless.

"Oh, he never admitted it to me. She did. When I told her I was pregnant, she said she was too and that our kids were going to be siblings."

Was this some time of drama on Netflix he was hearing?

"So I up and left, what was I supposed to do? You live and you learn I guess."

"So, does he take care of his daughter?"

"Hell yeah, I made him pay child support. And he's paying for my ex-friend's as well, considering he dumped her for another. Does he spend time with Kelz? Not enough. Sees her a few times a year, that's all. It's whatever."

He sipped his wine thinking of something to say. That could have easily been him if he stuck with Sherry and married her as he wanted to one day. Would she have continued to cheat on him? Once a cheater always a cheater.

"I'm sorry you went through that."

"I'm not. Everything I went through helped me to grow as a person. When you're young and dumb, you just do things without thinking it through. I think I saw the signs of what he was like, but I chose to ignore it. I wanted that happy ever after."

"What's wrong with wanting that?"

She leaned closer to him. "And what about you? You're looking for a happy ever after?"

"I mean...why not? Sure."

"Boy, you're young. Just have some fun."

"What if you already know what you want." He stared into her eyes, not backing down. He moved even closer so they were almost touching and could kiss. "What if you found that woman that has everything you want."

She chuckled at him, moving away. "Cute."

Their food came and they dug in. He wanted to say more things to her about where he wanted their relationship to go. He wanted her to be his girlfriend and he would take nothing less. But instead, he let her lead. Wherever she wanted things to go.

"I'm divorced now. Happily single. Haven't dated since that asshole, so-"

"So, you're ready to date?"

"That's what we're doing now, right?"

"I find it impossible, someone as gorgeous as you haven't had a man in...how many years?"

"Three. And why not? First of all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I'm glad you behold my beauty. Secondly, I'm not ready for  anything serious, and I believe I have told you that."

"And I respect that, I just want to be the only man you are dating...nothing serious, just dating...giving me a chance to win you over."

She smiled at him. "I like how smooth you are. You do get points for that."

After dinner, he drove her back to her place, walking her to the front door."

"Faye, I had a nice time and would love to take you out again, and again, and again-"

He stopped because she moved in for a kiss by grabbing his face. Nothing for him to do but get into the kiss. His arms wrapped around her waist and he was all kinds of turned on being so close to her. He wanted her in every way.

"I really like you, Taj."

"I like you too."

"But I'm still not ready for anything else."

"Understood."

She kissed him again, then pulled away. "Stop looking so sexy though."

"I'll try."

"Okay, let me go in, relieve the sitter."

"I can come in and hang out-"

"Or you can not. Goodnight Taj." She kissed him on the cheek and then went inside, closing the door on his face.

He accepted that, walking away with a smile. He was going to plan another date real soon. Maybe even one day an overnight date.

He was back in his car about to pull off when he got a text.

We need to talk

It was from Temira.

A/N: Y'all vibing with Taj and Faye? He needs a nice girl in his corner for a nice guy. Well, you know I will throw in some drama because I'm evil.

On another note, I'm currently obsessed with Rome Flynn, face claim for Taj, so I might keep switching his picture up. That man is so 🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥