“What’s up?” I greeted him with a hug.

“Long time no see,” he responded playfully as he held me close.

He looked like a regular dude that day instead of a nerd like usual. He had on some baggy jeans that draped over a pair of fresh tan Tims, or butters as I called them. He had on an off-white long john shirt and a fitted cap that matched the Tims. My intentions were to flirt with him briefly and then go on about my business, but Tariq acted like he didn’t want to let me go.

“Where you been?” Tariq asked, still holding on to my waist.

“I been around,” I responded as I gazed at the people passing by. I avoided eye contact with Tariq, as I was trying to see it all, not wanting to miss a beat.

“I haven’t seen you in a while.” He wanted to press the issue.

“You’ll be seeing a lot more of me after tonight, babe,” I said with a smile as I kissed him on his cheek. I was trying to keep the conversation short so Tina and I could continue to see and be seen.

“What are you doing after this?” he asked.

At the time I didn’t have any definite plans for after the game, but I was sure I would make some and they wouldn’t include being with Tariq. Not that there was anything wrong with him, I mean he was paying my mortgage. It was just that I was in the mood for something different, something new.

“I’m not sure just yet. Tina’ll probably drag me to something,” I told him.

“I want to see you this evening,” Tariq said in a rather demanding tone. “So make sure you call me when you get done being dragged around by Tina.”

“All right,” I said. “I’ll see you later.”

I kissed Tariq on his cheek once more and slipped back into the crowd. I made it my business to go all the way to the other side of the building before I started hollerin’ at dudes. I didn’t want Tariq to see me in action. Shit, I didn’t need to give him any excuses to stop paying my house off.