Taraji's P.O.V.

I cooked while Fantasia showered, my natural instinct to take care of those around me kicking into overdrive now that I had company in this big, empty house. I might have went a little overboard with making an appetizer, a main course, and two desserts, but I just want her to feel so comfortable that she doesn't want to leave. If it were up to me she would be moving in right now, but I suppose it's too early on for that kind of fast movement. Hell, she didn't even want to kiss me. I'm not going to pretend like it didn't hurt my feelings when she didn't kiss me back, because it did. I'm only human, and there's no human being on this Earth that can just easily accept rejection. I'm ready for us to really clear the air so this tension between us can go away. I don't want to talk about or even think about what happened in Aspen anymore. I want to look towards the future, and I want to do it with Fantasia. Maybe I need to spend some more time alone considering how recent my breakup with Kelvin was, but Fantasia isn't going to sit around and wait for me, and I could never be selfish enough to ask her to do that. I have to be ready now. And I am ready. She just needs to see it and feel it from me. Besides my acting career, I've never wanted something as badly as I want Fantasia. When I fall, I fall hard. I'm a lot to take, but I believe I'm worth it. I just hope that Fantasia believes it, too. I have a lot of baggage, but I pray to God that I don't unintentionally drop it on her to carry. I'm too much for most people to handle but I'm never enough at the same time.

I was setting the table when Fantasia came downstairs in the pajamas that I leant to her. My shorts and t-shirt looked tight and small on her body, but it was a visually appealing look. My white shirt that usually looked like a nightgown on me was more like a crop top on her busty frame, and the grey shorts were rising up and cutting at her thighs, showing a peak of the butterfly tattoo on her left ass cheek. My intrusive thoughts were telling me to lick it, but there's a reason why those kinds of thoughts remain trapped in your head. Her eyes roamed over the spread on the table and a delicate smile graced her soft facial features. I fiddled with my nails in anticipation of what she would say. Her approval is very important to me. She came to my rescue when she could've left me to wallow in darkness, and I just want to do one thing to please her and make her feel good.

Fantasia: Is all this for little ole me? You didn't have to make a cake and brownies, Taraji.

Taraji: I didn't know which one you liked better. The swirl in the brownies is cream cheese. I-I hope you like cream cheese. I guess I could've asked. I didn't think about the possibility of you being lactose intolerant. Oh God I'm such an idiot-

Fantasia:*chuckles* Taraji, calm down. It's ok. I'm not lactose intolerant and I love cream cheese. I am going to tear these brownies up. And are those au gratin potatoes? Those are my favorite.

She winked at me, easing my nerves and making my heart flutter at the same time. I fixed her plate and my own before we sat down together at the dining table. Instead of being on opposite sides of the table, I sat directly beside her to feel closer to her. We starts with the Caesar salad as an appetizer, and for a while we just ate in a comfortable silence until we moved on to the rib tips and potatoes. Fantasia broke the silence with a candid admission about her last relationship that struck me like a bolt of lightning.

Fantasia: I cheated on my ex. That's the reason why our relationship ended. I'm not saying that to scare you or make you feel like I'll do the same to you. Honesty is the foundation of a relationship, so I have to be honest with you no matter how shitty it makes me look. 

Taraji: Who did you cheat on her with?

Fantasia: One of my tattoo artists. The young woman no longer works in the shop. She got extremely attached and we both made the mutual decision to part ways. I wish her the best, but if I could take it back, I would. I don't want to carry that guilt into what me and you are trying to build with each other.

Taraji: What made you cheat? Why not just break up with your girl from the beginning if you weren't satisfied? I'm not judging you. I'm just wondering.

Fantasia: I don't know why I did it. I was holding on to Nastasia while distancing myself from her at the same time. My employees are like a second family to me, so it was easy for me to get personal and cross boundaries with my staff. Still, that's no excuse. I wanted to have my cake and eat it too, and I had a lot of growing up to do. I'm telling you that I grew, but I can show you better. I was insecure for the longest time and I felt the need to give myself to anybody who was willing to take me because of how unwanted my mom made me feel, but I'm not that girl anymore. I know my worth and I know that I am too valuable to be lending myself to just any and everybody. I want to give my time and attention to one person who works hard to show me that they want it.

Taraji: I want to be that person. I can be that person. I'm going to continue going to therapy and I'm going back to my AA meetings again. It doesn't matter that I'm still sober. I don't live in a sober mindset, and that's a problem. I want to turn to a bottle every time something goes wrong. A healthy person doesn't think like that. I want to be healthy and I want to be happy so that I can make you happy. I really like you, Fantasia.

Fantasia: So you've told me.

Taraji: And I meant it. I'll always mean it and I'll never stop reminding you. Can we do something together tomorrow?

Fantasia: I'm booked all day tomorrow.

Taraji: Isn't that what your employees are for? You have plenty of amazing artists in your shop.

Fantasia: I know that, but some people come to my shop specifically for me. The celebrity clients come for me. If it's meant to work out, then we'll find time somehow.

Fantasia was playing hardball, but I could handle it. She's still punishing me for having sex with Gabrielle in Aspen. I just have to take it in stride and continue to work on earning her trust. I'm not entitled to her forgiveness, so I have to prove that I deserve it.

Fantasia's P.O.V.

Walking into my shop, I froze in my tracks when I saw a gorgeous, large bouquet of long-stem red roses sitting on the receptionist's desk. It was so big that I wasn't sure how I was going to get it into my car. I immediately knew that it was from Taraji.

Kat was smirking and eyeing me with her brows raised in amusement. I playfully rolled my eyes and shook my head, trying to be causal and cool about the whole thing, but deep down inside I was giddier than a little schoolgirl. Acts of service is my biggest love language, so thoughtful gestures like getting flowers sent to work is the way to my heart.

Kat: Someone has a secret admirer. They have to have money to afford a bouquet that big. Good job, boss lady.

Fantasia:*smirking* Kat, mind your business. If there's something to tell, I'll tell you.

My cheeks were burning from how hard I was smiling. I took the little white card out of the bouquet and unfolded it, my eyes scanning over Taraji's dainty handwriting.

- Roses are red, violets are blue. I'm not the best poet, but I'll try anything for you. I know you have to work, but if I have to wait for you all night then that's what I'll do. If you want to hear some real poetry, then come with me tonight. There's a slam poetry club downtown, and I think that for me and you it will be just right.

I giggled at her corniness, finding it cute and endearing. I have no idea when I'm leaving the shop tonight, but I like the idea of Taraji waiting for me. I'm not going to keep torturing her for too long. If tonight goes well, then I'm going to put Aspen completely behind us.