Free Turn It Loose by Britni Danielle

usually slammed on the weekends.”
    “Remind me to steal your dress,” Jaylah said, grabbing a menu. “What’s good here?”
    “Everything! I think I’m getting the Turkish eggs. Feel like heading to Oxford Circus after? I want to look ‘round.”
    “Sure, I don’t have anything else planned today.”
    “No date with what’s his name?”
    “We aren’t talking about him,” Jaylah said , changing the subject. “Want to see a movie tonight?”
    “You never explained what happened . Was he a nutter?”
    “No, I…messed it up,” she said.
    Jourdan waited for an explanation.
    “Well, on the way to his car, he asked me if I was in London because of a bad break up. At first I played along, but then I decided to tell him the truth.”
    “Ok, and?”
    “And I kinda started to cry.”
    Jourd an’s eyes got wide. “On the street?”
    “I know, straight crazy woman style,” she shook her head. “I was telling him about getting fired and…it just poured out.”
    “So he got freaked out?”
    “I thought so. I mean, wouldn’t you?”
    Jourdan nodded in agreement.
    “Anyway, he drove me home and I was so embarrassed. I was about to run out of the car when he kissed me.”
    “No!” Jourdan gasped. “Seriously?”
    “Yes! And his lips—” Jaylah had a flashback. “We made out like a pair of high schoolers.”
    “I don’ t get it. What’s the problem then?”
    “Let me finish,” Jaylah snapped. “We were kissing and I asked him if he wanted to come inside, you know, to continue the evening ...”
    “And?”
    “And he said no.”
    “What?!”
    “He said he had an early meeting and couldn’t come in. Then he claimed he wanted to see me again, so I gave him my number and damn near ran inside. The end.”
    “So he hasn’t called?”
    “Would we be having this conversation if he had?”
    “Right. Well, maybe he really did have a meeting. He was dressed like a barrister or something.”
    “Come on, Jourdan. What man is going to turn down an invitation to a woman’s apartment after making out with her in his car?”
    “Hmmm. Guys in London can be a bit dense at times. He might still call,” she said, trying to be optimistic.
    “I doubt it, b ut here’s the thing—I really hope he does.”
    Jourdan patted her friend’s hand. “Me too. Maybe his handsome ass can convince you to stay.”

Six
     
    “Hey, it’s Johnny,” he said. His accented baritone caused Jaylah to momentarily lose her voice. It had been six days since she met him and they made out in in the front seat of his sleek Mercedes. Six days since he said he wanted to see her again, but never called. Six days since she’d try to exorcise him from her memory and failed miserably.
    Six.
    For the past week she’d sulked around the city kicking herself for thinking about him. In the queue at Tesco. Riding the Piccadilly Tube. Ordering lunch at the deli. Johnny invaded her thoughts like an unwelcomed guest making himself at home. She tried her best to evict him, but he just wouldn’t leave.
    He broke the silence. “Hello?”
    “Oh….hey,” she said, finding her voice. “I didn’t expect to hear from you. I figured you lost my number.”
    “Sorry, i t’s just…been really crazy at work. I’ve been pulling back-to-back late nights and—”
    “Careful. Next you’ll tell me you’re tired of sucking up to the boss,” she teased, a nod to their first conversation.
    Johnny chuckled, “ Well this time I don’t have to worry about getting sacked; I’m in charge.”
    “ Must be nice.”
    “ Actually, that’s why I called.”
    “Need brownnosing tips?” she quipped.
    “No. I’ve been meaning to reach out, but just got so caught up—”
    Jaylah rolled her eyes. She subscribed to the He’s Just Not Into You School of Dating that said if a man wanted to see you, he would see you. Busy schedules be damned. “Umm hmm,” she groaned.
    “My afternoon meeting was canceled, and I wanted to see if you’re free. Perhaps we