Goodbye, comfort zone | A Short Story
Hey, you!
Here’s an update on Jana x Quinton.
*Please note, this content may contain spoilers if you haven’t already indulged in Impassioned Intentions. Jana also popped up in Everlasting Love.
You can learn more about why I chose to write Impassioned Intentions here
In the meantime, happy reading! 💋
With love, ShanicexLola
(Copyrighted material)
“You never said goodbye to me; you just left,” I sang, then hummed the melody of Heather Headley’s What’s Not Being Said track. I ran my fingers along the keys of the mini piano keyboard on my lap and sighed.
I wasn’t feeling my voice tonight, and my rapid thoughts made it hard to find my vibe and thrive.
“I’m still here, though,” Quinton said from my office doorway. I looked up at him and smiled. I’d gotten used to him towering over me and everything else in the room.
“I thought you were asleep,” I soothed.
“I was.” He walked inside and plopped down on the beanbag chair next to me. “Until I turned over to pull you closer, and you were missing. How was I supposed to go back to sleep after that?”
Pulling me into his arms, he kissed my neck and quickly whispered about how sweet I tasted on his tongue three hours ago.
I grabbed his face. “Quinton, go back to bed. I can’t focus with you here, and you have work in the morning.” I kissed his cheek, assuming that would be it, but he didn’t budge.
I should’ve known better.
I stared at his beard as he ran his fingers through my curls. His handsome features stunned me every time.
“Something’s on your mind, and I wanna know what it is.”
“Don’t you always,” I playfully rolled my eyes and batted my lashes.
“Spill it, woman.” He set my keyboard aside and pulled me onto his lap.
“I wasn’t going to tell you until I decided, but—“
“Oh, that’s what we’re doing now? We’re backtracking and keeping secrets?”
I shook my head. “No, we aren’t, but I got a really good offer the other night at the lounge after I performed a short poetry piece. I already know what you’ll say.”
“Damn, I missed it,” he said as his golden brown eyes bore into mine. “You told me it went well but didn’t tell me about an offer.” One of his large hands roamed under my silk nightgown.
Though his touch was warm, it sent chills down my spine. Quinton slapped my ass and kissed my bottom lip. He knew how to gather my attention whenever my thoughts drifted. I would never tire of his smooth, dark brown skin or elf ears. I latched onto his ears and giggled until it faded into nothing, leaving me grinning in his handsome face like a fool in love.
Except I wasn’t a fool.
Loving him had been a blessing and nothing short of it.
“Miranda, the owner of Stardust Lounge, was there the other night. No one recognized who she was at first besides her family who work for her. Supposedly, she keeps a low profile, which surprises me because that woman is gorgeous!”
“Mhm,” he murmured, following along with my ramble as I got to the most important part.
“Long story short, she introduced herself when I got off stage. She told me she heard about my performances and saw a few of my YouTube videos. She wants me to be one of the main events at the lounge because people are responding to me well and love the poems I share and the covers I sing—“
“Breathe, J,” he said, and thank God he’d stopped me when he did. I’d run out of breath.
I shrieked excitedly and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Two thousand dollars a week to perform three to four times. No less than three performances a week and two acts a night.”
Quinton cupped my face. “And you’re questioning whether or not you should take that?”
“I’m questioning whether or not I’m ready for that big of an opportunity. I mean, wow! Me?”
“Hell yeah, you! You’ve been ready for this. You deserve everything good that’s happening to you. And you deserve this opportunity, J. I think you should take it.”
“I told her I would think about it, but I think I’m going to take it,” I whispered against his full lips. “I’ll have my sister’s husband look over the contract; he’s an attorney. But won’t you miss me at work? You know, bossing me around and all?” I straddled his lap. “Making love to me in the janitor’s closet?” I bit his bottom lip. “Between all the new dessert sales on my website, baking for work, and now this, I’ll have to put my two weeks in soon.”
“Yeah, I’ll miss you. But I still miss you when you’re there,” he confessed. “It’s easy for me to let you go in that sense because I know you don’t belong there. You were created to create, and look where it’s gotten you.”
I tore my gaze from him, looking at his chest as tears welled in my eyes. Quinton spoke life into me at every turn, tackling every moment to remind me who I was. He uplifted me like no man outside my father and brother had. Sometimes, I contemplated if I deserved him, but deep down, I knew I did. Together, we belonged.
“So, if the contract is solid, you’re accepting the offer, right?” He wiped my tears with his thumb as they fell.
“I’m accepting the offer,” I confirmed and lay my head on his shoulder. I couldn’t wait to finally send my brother and sister the long, drawn-out explanation in our group chat tomorrow. Monty and Monae celebrated my wins harder than I did, and I loved them for it.
“Good; now, can you sing something a little more loving the next time you perform? That sad heartbreak shit you’ve been rehearsing lately is starting to offend me.”
“Yes, and I think I know the perfect song to start with,” I whispered.
Quinton stood with me on his lap and carried me into my bedroom.
“Ready for me to put you back to sleep?” He tossed me into the middle of the bed.
I spread my legs and said, “Yes, please.”
“That’s my best friend!” Molli shouted when I entered Stardust Lounge. Thankfully, it was only about a dozen people in attendance. If any more had looked back at me and cheered, I would’ve run away. “Might have to start sneaking you in through the back door.” She bounced on her stool at the bar, holding her arms open like a toddler reaching for their mother.
I walked into her embrace, and we held on like we hadn’t seen each other in months. Or, like we hadn’t gossiped on FaceTime about any and everything for hours last night while drinking wine.
“Can you stop it!” I slapped her hand down when she snapped her fingers at the bartender. “We can wait our turn like everyone else. I’m not a damn celebrity.”
“Aw, you’re no fun.” She rolled her eyes. “With your humble ass.”
I settled on the stool next to her and laughed. “I’m trying not to let this opportunity go to my head. You know, today was my last day at work, and I wanted to knock all the computers off every desk in the building. “
“Except for Quinton’s, right?” Though she side-eyed me, she already knew the answer to her question.
“Even his,” I said, resulting in us cackling so loud that everyone looked at us.
“I’m so proud of you, Jana. Your growth’s been amazing to witness.”
“You pushed me to get out there,” I reminded her. Molli had relentlessly encouraged me to put myself out there. She despised how shy and laid back I was about my gifts and motivated me to remember my talent and capabilities.
“Yeah, but I can’t take credit for how you’ve bossed up. That’s all you.” As she smiled, her eyes watered.
“Oh, come on. Please don’t do this to me right now. You see my makeup?” I pointed to my face, turning my head from side to side for her to get a good look. “Took me forever to do this. I don’t want to cry… yet.”
“Okay, okay.” She sniffled and rubbed her eyes. “You look good, too. That dress is it!”
“You like?” I stood from the stool and twirled in my new high-slit, floral lavender sundress. “I got it from Target.”
“Impressive.” She nodded.
“You look good yourself.” I looked her up and down, obsessed with her drawstring front mini skirt. She’d been dressing sexier since she met Grayson. It made me proud she didn’t hide her body in baggy clothes anymore as her last insecure man convinced her to do.
I sat back down just as our favorite bartender, James, slid our drinks in front of us. “Two Pink Panties on the house.” He winked and then sashayed away.
“We love you, James,” we sang in unison.
“So, what are you performing tonight? Something you wrote? An acoustic cover? Both? It has to be big since it’s your first night getting paid to perform. No pressure, though,” Molli said.
“No pressure at all,” I cut my eyes at her. “Just for that, you’ll see when I get up there.”
“I can wait,” she chirped. “And so can Mona, Monika, and Quinton…” She motioned behind me with a nod. Her sisters, Mona and Monika, had entered the lounge with Quinton behind them.
Oh my God!” I covered my mouth as they surrounded me in a group hug. Molli’s sisters supported me wholeheartedly, and I’d never met a better trio than the Hill sisters. They were genuine and loved everyone around them as family. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Mona said.
They released me quickly for Quinton to take over, who wasted no time pulling me into his arms and pressing his lips to my forehead. I exhaled deeply, blushing as his sweet and spicy cologne engulfed me. He was dressed in a suit, which reminded me of the meeting he mentioned earlier.
“You didn’t have to leave work early for—“
“I didn’t?” His eyebrow raised.
“Okay, you did. I’m glad you did.”
“Then there’s Monae and Monty,” Molli continued. I squealed excitedly at my sister and brother entering the lounge.
“I don’t know why you doing all that. You knew damn well we were coming,” Monty said. “What’s wrong with her?” he asked, dapping fists with Quinton.
“She’s a little dramatic.” Quinton shrugged.
“A little?” Monty threw his head back and laughed. “Yeah, okay.”
“Excuse me? Both of y’all can get off my sister,” Monae said. Right or wrong, my big sister defended me with her life.
I stood before them in awe. Everyone looked good and dressed to impress; even Monty wore black slacks and a button-down shirt. I was sure Monae had forced him to wear something other than his usual white T-shirt, jeans, and sneaker combo.
In the background of the neon purple, luminous bar, the band walked on stage and commenced their set up, informing me I only had about ten minutes to prepare myself to hit the stage.
More patrons piled in by the minute. Some sat around the white oval tables, while others lingered in corners, ready to sway to the music with a drink.
Tonight, I was especially grateful for Stardust’s no-phone policy. They couldn’t keep people off their phones altogether, but for the most part, everyone obliged to their ‘No Phone and Chill’ motto. Their motto helped me stay calm. I didn’t want to discover my performance online if I tanked under pressure.
“You look beautiful,” Quinton said, cuffing my ass on the low. It hadn’t been long since he and Monty officially met, only a few weeks. He trod carefully around him out of respect for him and probably from Monty’s indirect threats during our first dinner together. “You’re going to do great; you always do. You’re a natural.”
There he was, speaking life into me again.
“I love you,” I looked up at him and said, instantly hooked on his golden brown, mesmerizing eyes that gleamed for me.
“Awwww,” everyone around us cooed, except my brother, who’d broken off from the crew to order a drink at the other end of the bar.
“I love you too, beautiful.” He patted my butt, urging me in the direction of the stage.
This time, I didn’t want to be introduced by the host; I wanted to introduce myself. Trailing away from my crew, I walked on stage with trembling hands and wobbling ankles. Choosing flat sandals over a thick wedge or heel was one of my wisest decisions tonight.
Suddenly, everyone cheered, and I knew the culprits who started it. I looked into the crowd and noticed Molli, Mona, and Monika were the loudest in the building. I calmed the crowd by waving my arms to end their applause. Once I could hear myself think, I closed my eyes and channeled the soft tune from the band, leveling the mic stand and taking a deep breath before opening them again.
“Can you believe I rehearsed what I would say when I got up here all last night? I was in the bathroom mirror for hours, and now, I got nothing.” I awkwardly laughed, grateful when everyone joined in. They probably felt sorry for me, but there was no need.
It is what it is.
“For those of you who aren’t familiar with me, my name is Jana. I’m a poet, I sing well, and I can bake a cake worthy of saving my life,” I said, pausing as everyone laughed again. It seemed genuine this time, so I basked in it before continuing. “Today was my last day working for a company I’ve outgrown, and tonight is my first night getting paid to perform for you. That’s all I have. I hope you enjoy what I’ve put together for you.”
After waiting for the cheers and applause to end, I nodded for the band to follow my lead. I searched for Quinton’s bright eyes in the crowd, and when I found them, I smiled and whispered into the mic. “This one’s for you.”
He winked, and my juices flowed. I would’ve leaped off stage to have him if I had followed my impulsive thinking.
“Stop your heathen antics, Jana,” I thought, swallowing hard before singing…
“If I was to fall apart
Please don’t leave me in the dark
Baby, ooh, baby
When you cry
Shed your tears
I will catch all your fears
Baby, ooh baby,” I closed my eyes and harmonized.
The lyrics to Tamia’s Stuck With Me track rang true to my heart.
“Don’t you ever worry
Cause I’m here for you
I’m always by your side
Always near
When I’m not with you
I feel lost without you
I’m telling the truth
I’m so lost without you.”
The proud, broad smile on Quinton’s face made my body tingle. Everyone around us disappeared as our eyes and body language spoke for us.
At the end of my first performance, I blew him a kiss. This was the beginning of a new era for me—one where I was unconditionally loved by a beautiful man who challenged me to follow my dreams.
Goodbye, comfort zone.
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