Marlene Dr.

Los Angeles, CA

The sound of the metal gate sliding open caused Sadie to jump back a little. She still haven't recovered from Jodie interrogating her yesterday.

True enough she felt some type of way about the sight of Beverly walking in as if she was the important person of the night played back in Sadie's mind like an old record. She still could smell her scent of cream and vanilla. Why did she have to be so damn perfect? She was everything, and the more she stared at her, she knew exactly what Jodie saw in her.

So when Jodie asked her to stop by her house, she was a little hesitant. She had enough of Beverly encounters before she would eventually speak her thoughts. None were negative, it was just the simple fact that she wanted to be in her place. How much longer did she have to bare this pain? When was her feelings for Jodie going to finally come to the light?

Her worn out Converses took step by step on the stone square steps. The heavily large door swung open with Jodie grinning from ear to ear. She looked down before sighing as she lean to pick up a small dog. She had on black basketball shorts and a t-shirt that read "Protect Black Women". Just from the sight of it caused Sadie to laugh to her self. She looked like she just woke up with her hair that were usually in braids was now all over her head. Giving the dog that she held tightly with one arm she gave it a gentle rub before her eyes met back up at Sadie.

"I should've known you would be here on time" she said, opening the door wider to let her inside. Sadie slowly walked in, to a dim house. The dark burgundy curtains were blocking any sun from coming in and the blinds being completely shut didn't make it no better. Soft tunes of Wale filled the house, giving it a chill but restless environment. Jodie closed the door, not forgetting to lock it. She creeped on the side of her, guiding them both to the front area.

Art displayed on the white shadow walls. One in particular caught Sadie's eye, a woman who she assumed had to be nude. "Beverly" Jodie said looking over her shoulder, the dog still resting in her arms. "It was a birthday gift from Beverly two years ago" a smile appeared on her face.

Just by the look, she knew that the woman in the picture was indeed, Beverly—in full nudity. "Oh" was all she could say, as she turned, hoping that Jodie caught on and continued to lead the way.

When they made it around the corner, the large pale couch back was face against them. A figure was sitting there, flicking through the channels, disregarding the music playing loudly. "Baby" Jodie whispered, walking around the couch. She leaned down to hand over the dog but not before kissing the person. "Sadie's here"

She turned her neck, facing towards Sadie, who stood in the same place awkwardly. Beverly hair was wrapped in a beige scarf. Her face completely free of makeup and Sadie swore she was even more beautiful. "Hey girl" she said, waving.

Out of self consciously thinking, she just nodded. "Hey" she murmured. She showed no animosity towards Beverly as if she didn't give them both attitude at her dinner party.

"We're about to go upstairs okay," Beverly just shook her head. Allowing the small dog to fall asleep on her lap as she went back to flipping through the channels. Jodie turned, and pointed to the spiral stairs that were right behind Sadie. "Come on I gotta show you something" she said, jogging up the stairs, with Sadie following right behind.

Upstairs only occupied three bedrooms. It wasn't as dim as it was downstairs but it was still dark. Jodie continued down the hall until she got to the last door. Twisting the knob, Sadie was hit in the face with straight sunlight. With just being in the house for no longer than two minutes, the light from the sun was already hard for her eyes to adjust. "Think you can help me with a few samples" Jodie asked, walking farther into the room.

"Samples?" Sadie repeated, "You're starting a clothing line?"

A mysterious smile spread across her face, she walked over to a rack that displayed a few clothes. "I mean—" she rubbed her hands together, "I'm trying too."

"I just wanted a fresh set of eyes you know" she said again, looking directly at Sadie, who still stood by the door. "Beverly said she like it but that's my baby, of course she gone hype me up". She pulled a red silk dress from the rack, twirling it around to show Sadie.

"Think you can try this on?" She asked furrowing her brows.

"Me" Sadie pointed her finger to her chest, "you want me to model for you or something?"

She laughed as she gave a simple nod, "I can pay you for your time" she joked, "how much?"

"It's free" Sadie smiled, "this time."

Jodie gave the same gesture back as she handed over the dress that was in her hand. "The bathroom is to your right" she told, pointing towards the bedroom door.

Sadie hesitated for a minute, she didn't want to just roam around alone is somebody's else house. She gave Jodie one more unsteady look before turning to leave out. Now in the hall, there was a door across from her and one to her left and right. She followed the directions Jodie gave her and turned right. It was about five feet away, not really taking her long to get there. She knocked first just in case Beverly wasn't sitting pretty on the couch as she remembered.

When no one answered, she twisted the knob and was bomb rushed with Plum Blossom incenses burning in a crystal like jar.

She looked down at the red silk dress and it was almost like Jodie designed this dress specifically for her. She began to remove her clothes one by one until she was completely nude. Stepping in the dress, she pulled it up on her waist, putting her arms where they needed to be. It felt soft against her skin, the spaghetti straps and the v-cut in the neck area made the dress extra sexy. If you looked hard enough you could see the shimmer of the glitter shining from the dull lights in the bathroom.

In Sadie's mind, the dress was perfect. And she wasn't just saying this because she knew Jodie not only designed it but also made it. It took a while to take her eyes off herself while standing in the mirror. She didn't realize that she was taking a long time until she heard a knock on the door. "Everything okay" Jodie's voice peaked from the other side of the door. "Can I come in?"

The door knob twisting as the door finally started to open. Sadie still amazed, she covered herself as if she was still naked. Jodie head peeped in and once her eyes landed on Sadie, her jaw dropped. The twinkle in her eyes verified that she indeed wore the hell out that dress. A smile slowly creeping on Jodie face, she quietly closed the bathroom door once she stepped fully in. "Man" was all she said, eyeing her from head to toe. Jaw still dropping to the ground, it caused Sadie to look down at her appearance then back up.

"What?" She asked, "It's bad?" Starting to hear her insecurities coming out.

Jodie furrowed her brows, moving closer to her, "Hell nah" she almost yelled, "you look—" stopping mid sentence. Jodie fingers trailing down Sadie's shoulder, fixing the straps that were falling off. "You look perfect Sadie, I don't even know how to put what I feel in words"

Licking her bottom lip, her fingers moving alongside the dress, that was perfectly placed on Sadie's body. "Shit I think you made it look better than it was before" she began to laugh.

"Looks like Beverly didn't lie to you" Sadie said speaking under a whisper, "you did a good job Jodie."

"Yeah" she nodded, "but even if Beverly wore it—" she stepped back to take all of Sadie in, "even if she wore it, she couldn't pull it off like you."

Sadie's heart literally falling out her chest and rolling on the bathroom floor. There was no way those words left Jodie's mouth. She searched her eyes, hoping that she would eventually laugh or crack a smile but it was then known that she was serious. The way she stared at Sadie was more than enough for her. If Sadie didn't know no better you would've thought it was lust behind those eyes of Jodie. "You good?" Sadie finally interrupted the silence.

"I just forgot you know" she stated

Confused on what she meant by that, she wanted to say something but decided not too. The chemistry she felt in this bathroom was enough for her already. Not to mention, Jodie's fiancé was right down stairs.

"But anyway" Jodie finally stepped back closer to the door with a grin on her face, "that's just one piece, I got two more for you to try on."

"Okay" she mumbled, kind of wanting her to leave to get her heartbeat back on track. She was surprise she couldn't see the sweat peeping through the dress, her nervous was off the roof because all she wanted was for Jodie to kiss her.

"I'll let you get undress," she stated, "I'll bring the next one to the door" she told her. Glancing down her body one last time, Jodie smiled and turn to head towards the door. When she left, Sadie exhaled, letting out a deep sigh. Every time she was close in her bubble she felt like she stopped breathing and not on purpose—it was just the effect she had on her. She knew Jodie could tell, just by how the shakiness in her tone and how uncomfortable she looked. And the compliments she was giving her, didn't give her friend vibes, it was almost like she was trying to tell her something but in a hidden way.

But when it was all said and done, she was still getting married. While Sadie was presenting a fake smile, she was still torn when it all came down to it. Somebody else being Mrs. Pierce besides her didn't sit well with Sadie. Maybe Cynthia was right. It wasn't good having all this inside, Jodie getting to be happy while she sat back in despair. Rejection was her problem and if she was to finally confess and Jodie didn't feel the same—that would be worst than not telling her.

Here & Now

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