Page 24 of Solomon’s Temple

I chuckled, then led her out of the building. Once we made it to my car, I helped her inside, then got in and pulled away from the building.

“I know why I wanted to leave, but why didn't you want to stay?” she asked.

“The images. I appreciate the story, but the images don't describe who I believe looks out for me. Who I worship.”

She tittered. “That's literally the same thing I thought.”

I smiled. “Plus, you were texting your sisters in the group chat about how lame I was.”

She laughed aloud. “I was not!”

I chuckled. “I know how to have fun, but I try to keep everything I do clean. I'm not trying to convert you, Temple. I like you just the way you are, but just hoping to help you clean up your words a little. That's it. I'm not perfect, and I may slip occasionally, but I try to catch myself before I do.

“You’ll be my biggest challenge, but I'm confident that at the end of this race, we’ll both come out the victors.”

I could feel her eyes on me as I drove away from the museum. She took my hand and interlocked our fingers. I glanced at her and smiled.

“I don't know why you're choosing me, but I like you too.”

“Maybe I like a good challenge.”

“I'm sure you do.” She smirked. “I just have one request.”

“What's that?”

“That you let me choose the next date.” That mischievous grin on her face made me nervous.

Yeah, she's going to make me lose my damn religion messing with her.

“Ah shoot. I’m nervous.”

She laughed. “I promise it'll be nothing crazy.”

“Okay. It's a bet.”

“Good. Now, take me somewhere with some good food because I'm starving.”

I chuckled. “I got you, baby. Always.”

I walked inside the locker room to grab my things to clock out for the day. Today would be my and Solomon’s third date, and I had the honor of choosing what we’d do.

Since it was still early, I wanted to take him somewhere fun without crossing his holy boundaries.

I honestly didn't know where this thing would go with either of us. I wouldn't say I didn't love or believe in God, but I wasn't typically trying to be anyone’s First Lady unless the nigga was the president.

But Solomon was different.

He was humble, fucking sexy as fuck, had money from what I could tell, smart, a little funny, and had a little edge to him. Beyond the righteousness, I could still see a bit of the gangsta in him.

We ate at a nice upscale steakhouse in Ohio, then found a park near the water. He told me stories of his childhood, his parents, and how he had a cousin who used to be in the streets that he protected until he finally quit and opened multiple motor companies around the city.

He massaged my feet and listened to me tell him about my high school days with my sisters, and how much Ma Lula meant to me.

When he dropped me off at home last night, I wanted him to kiss me so bad, but he only kissed my hand and my cheek, then left with promises to see me today for part two of our date.

I smiled to myself because even though he took me three hours outside the city and didn't finish the tour, he still managed to turn the date around and make me laugh, blush, and smile.

That alone earned him this third date because I didn't do this with men.