Free Crazy Love by Desiree Day Page B

sniffed. “Tyrell was telling me about his boy, who, by the way, is unmarried. I think you should meet him.”
    â€œMeek, you know I hate blind dates,” Stacie whined. “They’re just so weird. Hell, we’re in Atlanta, who can’t find a date here? Half the people here get picked up just by walking down the street. There must be something wrong with him,” she stated.
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with him…honest. Tyrell and I just thought it would be a good idea for you two to meet. Then if you guys hit it off, and I know you will, we can double-date.”
    â€œI don’t know…”
    â€œJust look at it as an adventure. Please think about it, okay?”
    Stacie shrugged. “I might, but don’t be mad at me if I say no. I’m not totally feeling a blind date.”
    â€œWhy, because he doesn’t meet the requirements on your list?” Tameeka asked in a snippy tone.
    â€œDon’t be getting tart with me,” Stacie said curtly. “I haven’t even met him, so how can I know how he ranks on the list?”
    Tameeka shook her head, disappointed in her friend. “You and that damn list. You know what?” she asked, and Stacie glanced at her. “That damn list ain’t gonna keep you warm at night,” she said, then turned back to the stove and muttered about women not appreciating a good man when they have one.
    â€œLike you don’t have a list.” Stacie glared at her friend.
    â€œI don’t,” Tameeka replied.
    â€œLike hell,” Stacie snorted. “You review your list every time you meet somebody. Now tell me I’m wrong,” she challenged.
    â€œYou’re wrong,” Tameeka replied in a singsong voice. “I don’t have a list,” she insisted.
    â€œYou crazy, girl! Whether or not you want to admit it, you—have—a—list!” Stacie said as she pounded her fist on the counter. “Check it out. What do you do every time a man step to you?” she asked, but plowed on, not giving Tameeka an opportunity to answer. “You decide, based on the standards that you have, whether or not to let him have the digits.”
    â€œThat’s not a list— list,” she said. “It’s just my way of weeding out the jerks,” she explained.
    â€œSounds like a list to me,” Stacie muttered. “Okay,” she said in a patient voice, “so if it isn’t a list, then what is it?”
    â€œWell, it’s a system that I use. And this system does require me to note certain information that determines whether or not the man is worthy of my time,” she answered slowly and deliberately.
    â€œSo when you note your information, how do you keep a running tab of it?”
    â€œIn my head,” Tameeka answered, then tapped her temple. “It’s all here.”
    â€œAh-ha! You’re keeping a list. Only it’s internal. That’s all I’m saying.” Stacie smiled triumphantly. “There ain’t nothing wrong with keeping lists, they keep things organized.”
    â€œThey do,” Tameeka agreed. “But why don’t you admit it, your list is c-r-a-z-y. You’re over thirty years old and you’re still keeping a ‘what I want in a man’ list. That’s just crazy,” Tameeka said as she made her way over to the table.
    Tameeka’s words stung. “It might be c-r-a-z-y, as you put it, but I will be going out with my green-eyed, six-foot-two doctor. Who makes over six figures,” she sang. “And he’s good in bed. So something’s gotta be right about the list,” she bragged as she pranced around the kitchen.
    â€œIs that all you think about?”
    â€œWhat else is there?” Stacie shrugged. “Other than sex,” she added.
    â€œYou’re serious, aren’t you?” Tameeka asked, but she didn’t need to. The finality of Stacie’s words said it