The Lies for Love, page 1
The Lies for Love
Jaé D. Evans
The creation of this work is done from a fictional perspective. None of these events are factual nor based on any known stories. All publishing rights reserved for the creator not to be recreated without permission.
Copyright© 2022
Dedicated to those that put love first.
May that which you seek be found and fulfilling.
The Lies for Love
Preface
There wasn't even a logical reason for her to be here.
What kind of person goes to a coffee shop that doesn't like coffee? The change of scenery had to be good for something. A need for revamped mind, where creativity flows is the main reason. An unexplainable urge for something new is what brought her here—and even that was a stretch of an explanation.
As the line crept along, with parents entertaining their small children and college students mumbling, Tierra stood in her spot desperately trying to figure out what she wanted.
Twirling the ends of her hair, she wondered why she even dressed to be here. Without a place to go, a simple t-shirt and jeans should have been enough to run all of her errands and to stimulate the mind.
However, her hands ran across those thigh-high boots at the beginning of her day, Tierra found a huge button up and fat belt to piece together. With a fedora and some jewelry, she found herself standing in this crowded coffee shop on a fine fall morning. Amused by the menu item's names, she finally placed her order with the barista and went to look for an empty table.
There was none.
Wall to wall seating. A desktop bar. Booths and tables. They were all practically full. Yet tucked in the corner by the fireplace rested the lone unoccupied table. B-lining for the seat, she hadn't realized it wasn't as vacant as it appeared.
Pulling out a chair, she hadn't expected to see a messenger bag with a newspaper resting so neatly on top. Were there even people that actually read the physical paper anymore? As her mind drifted, Tierra was startled by the light touch on her shoulder.
"Hmmm... excuse me, but this is my table."
The deep, velvety voice was smoother than the warm chocolate gouache coating the pastry she purchased. That voice struck a chord in her soul. A sudden sense of home fell over her. As if she'd been traveling cross country, by train, and finally put her key in the door where her family was impatiently waiting for her.
Turning towards the vessel of that voice, everything went silent. Gone was the bustling coffee shop noise, mummering of traffic; even the crackling of the fire no longer existed. Just her.
That velvety voice was connected to the most stunning woman she’d seen in a while. Dusty bold locs were secured at her neck, while the tapered line up left her eyes exposed. Those eyes Tierra easily got lost in were pools waiting to be swam in. When she took in the rest of the woman, the tailored suit and wingtip shoes made the messenger-bag make more sense. With style remnant of the Harlem Renaissance, knew this woman would be a set back in time.
The waving of a perfect hand is what brought her back to earth, with the uncertainty if she'd be able to stay.
"I'm sorry, what'd you say," Tierra asked, ashamed she hadn’t heard a word the first time.
"Uh...I said I was sittin here." The mystery voice repeated.
"Oh, my bad," Tierra rambled off, "I'll find somewhere else." As she gathered herself and things to find another seat, she felt the softest touch against her wrist.
"Stay... please. It’s packed in here today," she mentioned a lot softer.
"Oh okay...umm thanks."
"I'm Crystal by the way, but I go by Crys," the woman introduced herself as.
"And I’m Tierra," Tierra said while shaking her hand.
“What? No cry-a-lot jokes,” Crys teased.
“Nah. It just might make me wanna hear something else,” Tierra said without thinking.
A smile that had to be as bright as heaven greeted her. It would be that smile that led them to hours upon hours talking.
This was not Tierra’s plan when walking through those doors that morning. They had occupied that table so long that they brought additional tea, coffee, and pastries. It still was so long that they had to leave the shop before the waitress came back a third time.
With an agreement to meet up for another day, Tierra left desperately trying to remember everything else she had to do that day. Or what was left of it.
Chapter 1
“Curiosity”
Walking up and down the aisles, Crys wasn’t surprised that the bulk of her chart was full with baking supplies. The emotional baker that she was meant that she still needed to work through all of these feelings the best way she knew how. Trips to the gym and sets upon sets of repeated reps would never do the same as lifting a cake out the oven or the smell of chocolate melting over the stove.
Yesterday had been wild. Never, in all of her thirty-four years of life had she instantly bounded with a person before. Normally, it took years to bond with another woman the way she did with Tierra at that crowded coffee shop.
What is it about women that always drew her in?
Why must they all want her, in whatever way possible?
From the moment Crys turned ten years old, there were girls always around her. This flocking to her, almost more poignant than honey drawing flies, would only get worse when puberty hit. By sixteen, Crys knew she could have any girl she wanted with her just smile and a bit of flirting.
It wasn’t until recently that she discovered how not to abuse the trust and love of another woman. Of course, it took seeing the damage of a broken heart from her sister that she wore never to be the intentional cause of another woman’s pain. The process had been long, with a lot of healing and seeking forgiveness but she came to a good place.
Meeting Tierra felt like a test. This was the first time Crys had actually enjoyed a woman’s company without sex being a factor. Of course, she found Tierra attractive. She’d have to be blind not to.
At first, Crys had been a bit annoyed seeing her at the table, trying to take her seat. Then Crys had taken an actual look and was mesmerized. Tierra had to be what art students would kill to stare at and draw daily. The way Crys could tell she was fine from afar was confirmed when they started talking. She had been cast in her spell ever since.
Although she appreciated all women, there was just something about a black woman that was top tier. And Tierra was definitely blessed. Considering the boots, she had to be about 5’4 with a curvaceous frame. The desire to follow every twist, dip, and arch in her body were at the forefront of Crys’ mind. Would the smooth, chocolate skin taste as divine as the coloring inspiration? Was she able to arch and move her hips the way Crys needed her too?
Taking a mental slap, Crys knew she shouldn’t reduce Tierra to simply feeling a sexual need. There was something special about this woman that earned more respect. Still, the sexual chemistry was potent.
But Crys wanted whatever this is forming between them to be slow. There was something about this woman that she knew would be her downfall. Crys was going to fight and enjoy it for as long as she could.
Cry was so deep in thought that she didn’t hear her name being called. The world and even her shopping was an afterthought. Even to the point that she was still holding the same bag of sugar she picked up two minutes before.
“That sugar can’t be that interesting,” a familiar voice teased.
“Only you think that,” Crys mentioned when she realized who it was.
“You need a different kind of sugar,” the jokester of a friend hinted.
“Now, Kam, why and how would that even be needed,” Crys questioned as she finally put the bag in her cart.
“From the looks of it,” Kamron dramatically paused while looking at how many items were in there and knowing of Crys’ nervous energy coming alive, “you’ve already met a potential candidate. I haven’t seen this much since Kennedy wasn't a thing anymore.”
It would be her best friend to make that connection. The last time Crys had genuinely cared for a woman, Kennedy had claimed the top spot. But Crys hadn’t been able to get out of her own way and eventually fell in several compromising positions. The video made waves and the relationship ended badly. That baking lasted for two months before she got over her guilt long enough to start the healing process.
It led her here. She was a lot more aware of her actions. Which also made her more cautious in starting something new.
“You good bro,” Kam asked out of genuine concern.
“Yeah.”
“Who is she,” she asked, getting comfortable picking through Crys’ things.
“A prospect.” Crys tried to ignore Kamron’s wide smile and raised eyebrow. The pleading look almost went ignored. Kameron knew there would be a better time for questioning all that was going on. For now, she’d let it go.
The will power of self-control is strong.
That's what Tierra kept telling herself. In knowing the power, a fine woman could have over her, she was not ready to relinquish control so soon. But in the same breath, it had been a very long time since she enjoyed the company of a woman, and it was so effortless.
Life as a business owner always seemed to be the best of both worlds. She could come and go as she pleased but there were times that she had to extend the midnight oil.
Her last girlfriend hadn't been so understanding. If it wasn't complaints about Tierra spending too much time at the boutique, then she was feeling some type of way about her family. And as muc
Dating after her was problematic. Tierra decided to nurture her nature and enjoy women just because. Which is how she got caught up with the worst situation. She never liked getting her brother involved but the aspiring rapper did the most.
The only good thing that came from the situation was it forced Tierra to slow down. She made a vow not to get involved with another woman for the rest of the year. But this thing with Crys could very well change that.
Even her name did something she wasn't ready for. Although she had abbreviated it, Crystal was a beautiful soul. She had to be for Tierra to spend damn near all day with her.
After leaving the coffee shop, they planned to see a play. When there was only one ticket left at the box office, they decided to walk to the renovated park. Dressed for a magazine photoshoot, they strode around in a circle for hours getting to know each other on a surface level.
Chapter 2
"Stressed"
After a week's worth of nonstop communication since their unofficial first date, the day had finally come where they were both free for a redo. The hours leading up the actual date were mayhem. Pure chaos was the only way to describe Tierra’s emotions and how her bedroom looked.
Her closet had things hanging off the hanger, the bed with several piles of things that just didn’t fit her vision and there wasn’t anywhere to walk without bumping into one shoe. What made this comical and a bit sad was the fact that she owned a boutique and made a living on helping people find looks. Why she couldn’t do this for herself was beyond her.
It could very well be the fact that there was something about Crys that terrified her in the best of ways. Having been down this road before and being burned, Tierra wasn’t in the mood for learning another lesson from another failed love. Even the thinking of the word felt premature at this moment.
Sure, they hit it off great that first day.
And if Tierra was completely honest with herself, she wanted whatever this was to become something more than a hookup. Still, she was reserved after the last debacle of a situation. That paired with several hit-n-misses, Tierra needed this to workout.
But first, she needed something to wear.
Crys was certain this was the slowest and tedious day ever. All the errands she was doing were simply to pass the time. As much as she didn’t want to admit it. Crys was nervous–and that realization made her cautious.
It had been a long time since a woman made her nervous!
The fact that every feeling was intense when Crys thought about her. Crys was anxious. She needed to accept it and act accordingly. There was too much to lose if this didn’t work out.
The crisp, mid-October fall day was in her favor. Without a cloud in sight, the comfortable mild air was perfect for dining on a patio. There was a new bar-n-grill that recently opened at Willow Lawn shopping center she had been dying to try. What a better way to start a new phase of life than at a new restaurant with a new woman.
Shooting a confirming text, Crys finished the last of her errands with a little extra urgency. This was about to be a great date. She had to make it so. Her kitchen couldn't handle any more cookies, pies or poundcakes.
This was madness, pure and complete madness.
There was nothing on her racks catching her eye either. Had it not been her store, Tierra would have tossed everything on the floor. She was a failed zip away from doing it when her phone began vibrating. Seeing the text, time was now a factor she didn’t need. With a calming breath, she did something she had been avoiding.
“Rosé. Simonè. Somebody help!” The pitter-patter of heels clicking against the floor could be heard across the store to the private dressing rooms. She didn’t have long before they saw the mess she had made in vain.
“Psk. Psk. Psk,” Rosé sucked her teeth while stepping over clothes.
“Took you long enough.” Simonè's comment earned her a soft punch. The teasing came to a halt when they noticed the somber look on their boss’ face. Sharing a side-eye, they both bent down in front of the ottoman Tierra was sitting on.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t find anything to wear,” Tierra admitted in defeat.
“First date?”
When Tierra silently confirmed, Rosé and Simonè knew what needed to be done. For once, they saved questions for later. Looking at the clock, they didn’t know how much time they had to work this miracle. With an executive decision, they shut the boutique down for the afternoon and called in a few favors.
The time flew with the small crew assembled. Hair. Makeup. An outfit to die for. Rosé and Simonè had out done themselves. Tierra knew if anything came of this, they were bound to ask thousands of questions.
For now, she was grateful that her employees were more family.
Chapter 3
“Will Power”
The string of women that had her life spiraling out of control had left Crys at an impasse. She needed to reclaim her mind, body, and spirit. Yes, before starting these relations she had with those women had been consensual and honest. There was never a time where she led any woman on. But she had given little pieces of herself away which led her to needing a break.
Being a womanizer couldn’t be her life!
Meeting Tierra during this healing process was unexpected. The traditional courtship that was mutually agreed upon left her wanting to spend actual time with this woman. Learning things solely through phone conversations wouldn’t be enough. Sure, those conversations gave insight, but Crys wanted to know it all. There was nothing like seeing how Tierra’s eyes lit up when a dog came around them or learning that watching superhero movies were a rite of passage in her house. The thing that Crys was discovering she loved the most was how details mattered most to Tierra.
Whether it was an outfit or outing, Tierra prepared as if it were a life-or-death event. The meticulous planning, that could have been annoying on anyone else, was sexy on her. Or maybe it was just her.
A goddess draped in bronze skin with mahogany undertones, bright brown eyes showed the universe was walking on earth. Tierra had the cutest set of dimples that she tried to hide but Crys was determined to make appear any chance that she got. And her lips. Whether turned into a smile, made up of the stars and the sun, or caught in thought, Crys just wanted to kiss her.
Modern technology made dating easier and longing hard.
Each night she stared at this woman wanting her. Crys could tell that Tierra would be the most sensual encounter she had in a while. And these thoughts were magnified each time Tierra nervously curled and twisted the ends of her hair while talking. Each time she did it, Crys’ mind would instantly travel to them spending hours in bed and having the permission to grip those loose strains in a different way.
