The One That Got Away by Danielle Martin (chrysanthemum read aloud TXT) 📖

doorstep. "Like I said, your a real backstabbing bitch. You did a real good job masking your true colors, but you wont fuck me over a second time! I promise!"
"What??" Nya asked clearly not getting it. "So just because I reached out to Rodney just to make sure hes okay, that makes me a back stabber? Did you forget that I've known Rodney for 11 years? Am i supposed to just forget he and I were ever friends????"
Makayla smacked her lips, becoming fed up with this girls excuses. "Oh cut it out Nya! You went to highschool with Rodney. You never knew him, you were never friends with him until I started dating him. The fact that you are making excuses for your actions is really pissing me off! but its Okay. I'm not going to let you or anyone else break me! I refuse!"
Nya smacked her lips on the other end, her defense suddenly weakening. "I would never do you like that Makayla. I dont get how you dont see that ive always had your best interest at heart."
"You dont care about shit but yourself Nya! You think you doing so good, you have nothing better to do than down talk the people who arent doing as well as you. Ive always noticed that about you, but I never wanted to acknowledge it until now. You are not the woman I called my bestfriend all these years. I dont know who you are, and I could care less about getting to know you! This fake ass friendship is OVER!" Makayla shouted, hoping she was cutting her with her words.
"Makayla." Nya begin to protest. "I cant believe your saying this right now. After all we have been through as friends! We've never had a fight, and I am the one whose always been there for you at your worst! And your going to let something like this come in between our friendship!? I cant believe that."
Makayla glared, convinced that she was done with Nya and her sneaky ways. She had enough of the betrayal and the decietfulness, she wasnt going to take it anymore. From anyone! "Like i said, we're DONE! Delete my number." Without waiting for a response, Makayla quickly dropped the call, feeling a breath of relief as she realized that it was time to eliminate all the bad seeds in her life. Even if it was the people that mattered to her the most. Chapter 22

Makayla took a deep breath as she walked up the concrete steps leading to the L’Ecole french resturaunt that sat 1 story high off the ground. She trotted up the 15 steps, hiking her dress up to ensure that she didnt slip and fall down these flight of stairs. Makayla had never been to a french resturaunt. She did her research before coming here tonight just so she didnt embaress herself by looking like a rookie and not knowing what to order on the menu. Reaching the top of the stairs, she admired the view of the newly renovated resturaunt. Glancing at her reflection in the vanity mirror by the entrance, she began to question wether or not wearing her long maroon strapless dress was a good idea. She didnt want to feel as if she were overdoing it and didnt want to feel too casual at the same time. Judging upon the looks of the resturaunt, everything looked fancy and upscale so she was happy that she made the right decision.

Makayla toyed with her hair, which she decided to wear bone straight for the night. The dark plum lipstick she wore set off the dress and also complimented her diamond necklace and matching earring studs. She sighed, knowing that this was her moment to make an impression that could possibly last a lifetime. A fresh start was exactly what she needed in life, and Makayla was not going to stop until she found happiness.

Taking that step forward, she reached for the door, walking into the resturaunt. Her heart beat out of her chest as she immediatly followed the directions she was given. Walking straight down the hall, she passed the hostess notifying her that her guest had already been seated and was waiting for her. She made a left by the water fountain which made a lovely sound as the water flowed and changed colors before running down a tunnel. This truly was a nice resturaunt. Makayla was impressed and surprised she had never heard of it before.

Hitting the corner, Makayla held her breath because she knew she was close. There was no turning back at this point. She hadnt come all this way and got all dressed up for nothing. There was no point in stalling or beating around the bush. Immediatly approaching the table, her heart beat began to quicken again as she laid eyes upon Nathan sitting at the table dressed in an all black suit. He had cut his hair and was no longer rocking the fro he wore before. He smiled at her, flashing her the most perfect pearly smile she had ever seen. She seen Nathan so many times, but something about seeing him right now completley took her breath away.

Nathan stood up from his chair, immediatly walking to her side untucking her chair from the table. "Wow Makayla." He extended his arm while holding her chair out for her to sit. "You look amazing."

She blushed, feeling shy as he admired her from head to toe. That didnt stop her. She leaned forward, pulling him in for a hug after feeling the rush to get close to him. "Thankyou so much for having me." She spoke in the nape of his neck as he hugged her back. She took a deep breath, admiring how good he smelled.

'"Ofcourse. Thank you for blessing me with your presence beautiful. I been asking you to have dinner with me for the longest. Now here we are."

She blushed again, thinking about how far they had come. In the beginning, when she first laid eyes on him at that therapy center, she never thought she was going to feel the way she felt the way she felt for him now. Makayla always thought it was impossible to love anyone else other than Rodney. And she defenitley wasnt expecting to meet someone so soon after her breakup. But sometimes life planned its own course, and Makayla decided now it was time to go with it.

They both had a seat, placing their order with the waitress as soon as she came to the table. Makayla ordered a Quinoa Salad with Spice-Rubbed Chicken Thighs. Rodney ordered the shrimp sautéed with sun-dried tomatoes, corn and leeks. They both sipped on a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne, the finest the resturaunt had to offer. Makayla smiled, staring at him from across the table as he stared back at her, gazing longingly into her eyes. For some reason whenever she was around Nathan, he made her forget all about her worries and everything she had been going through these last few months. He took her mind off of everything.

She sighed, feeling overwhelmed and knowing this feeling all too well. "Nathan you have no idea how much I really like you. I just have a connection with you and I cant explain it. It all happened so fast."

He nodded his head while massaging his chin. He paused a moment before speaking. "I feel the same way Makayla. I tried to resist for so long. When i first met you, I wasnt trying to push up on you at all. I just thought you were a very beautiful woman who had a very troubled past. But then, it got to the point that I couldnt ignore it anymore." He didnt break eye contact as he spoke to her. Makayla shuttered, getting the chills as he poured out his real feelings to her. "I dont know what it is about you Makayla, but im drawn to you."

She licked her lips while crossing her legs under the table, her panties immediatly becoming wet. At this moment, she was so vulnerable and desperate for his affection. It had been months. Makayla had never in her life gone this long without sex. But her body craved for more than just the feeling. She craved for Nathan. She wanted him and his body. She wanted everything and every inch that came with him. She had never felt that before. An emotional connection before a sexual. Even with Rodney, she eventually had to sleep with him to realize that she was in love with him. It was something about Nathan that was different than anybody she ever met.

 "So what does this mean exactly?" She raised an eyebrow while sitting her chin in the palm of her hand. She didnt want to sound to needy, but she was desperate to know where she stood with Nathan. Makayla felt deep down that she had proven herself enough and she wanted nothing more than for him to accept her into his life.
"What do you mean?" He questioned while leaning forward, fully attentive. One thing she loved about him, he always seemed to be very concerned and interested in whatever she had to say. He was a good listener and she needed that in her life right now.
"Well.." She took a deep breath before speaking, afraid to say whats really on her mind but she knew now could possibly be her only chance. She took another deep breath, feeling as if she was stalling. "I'm ready to take that next step. I've never been inside your home. You never been inside of mine. This is the first time I get to have you outside of your element." She leaned forward making direct eye contact so he could see that she was serious. "Now, if I sat here and told you that I dont want to sleep with you, I would be lying. I've never wanted someone so bad in my life. But I promise with you, its more than just sex. Its way deeper."
Nathan nodded his head while taking a swig of his champagne. Placing the drink back down on the table, he sucked his teeth as he leaned back in his chair, obviously hesitant to respond.  

"No response?" She asked. Makayla didnt want to pressure him. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel as if she was too persistent, but she couldnt help it. When a woman really wants something, she fights for it and thats what Makayla was determined to do. 

He shrugged his shoulders, "I dont know Makayla. I really do want to believe everything you saying. Im confused. I dont know what to think?"

She leaned forward, preparing to press for more. "Why are you confused?" She asked, desperatley wanting to know what was going on side his head. He shrugged again.

"I really dont know Makayla. I just dont know if your ready for me. I've said it so many times. I believe that you and I have something but I dont believe that you are done with your past."

Makayla rolled her eyes and smacked her lips, annoyed that her past was constantly being brought up by almost everyone in her life and she was