My place would be the safest option for us to chill. Nobody popped up at my house, not even my mother. I knew occasionally her brother popped up at her crib because I’d been with him a few times, and I wasn’t trying to get us caught so soon.
“That’s fine.”
I opened the door for her when we reached my car and stood back while she got inside, then closed the door once she was settled.
We didn’t talk as much as I would have liked when we were in the movies, so I wanted us to have uninterrupted conversations. I did want to kiss her again, but only if she allowed me to.
“You straight?” I asked when I got in the car. I noticed River was on her phone, and I wanted to make sure nothing happened to her pops.
“Yes. It was just my friends checking on me.”
She didn’t have to tell me who it was, but I liked that she did.
“You told them you were in good hands?” I winked.
“Yes, Coye.” She giggled.
I turned the car on and pulled out of the parking lot. I had to send my connect at the movie theater something for hooking me up at the last minute. I knew his wife had her eye on a pair of earrings at my store, so I would send them to her on the house. I would miss out on some money, but River was worth it for me.
“How come I haven’t seen you bring anybody around in a while?” River asked as we drove to my house.
“Multiple reasons. For one, I knew I was ready to tell you how I felt and knew you wouldn’t take me seriously if I kept bringing women around. For two, the last couple weren’t worth bringing around.”
It would have been hypocritical to flaunt a chick in her face, knowing how I felt about her.
“Interesting. So there is nobody that thinks y’all still got something going on?”
“No, ma’am. I haven’t even dated in the last few months, because I didn’t want to give anyone the wrong impression.”
I wasn’t one to lead a woman on for the sake of companionship or pussy. Over the years, I learned how to control myself.
“Hm.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I glanced in her direction.
“Nothing, really. I wish more men were like that. It seems like a lot of them like to drag a person along until they find someone else to fill that spot.”
“I feel you. I can say the same about women as well.”
Being a loner for most of my life, besides hanging with her brother, or dealing with my employees, I didn’t like being around people taking up space for no reason. Every person in my life served a purpose.
“That’s true,” River said as we pulled into my driveway.
I shut the car off, got out, and walked around to open the door for her. I grabbed her hand and led her up the steps. After unlocking the door, I let her enter the house first. I had a light on a timer, so it wasn’t dark when we entered.
“Make yourself comfortable,” I told her as I locked the door.
She took off her shoes by the door, then walked into the living room. I couldn’t help myself as I watched her walk away. River’s ass looked like a damn peach in her jeans. I wanted to grab that shit, but I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.
“It’s not too cold, is it?” I asked as I sat down next to her.
“I’m okay.”
I liked to keep the temperature in my house colder than most people. My mother hated it whenever she came over and would always adjust the thermostat. I never argued with her because that was my girl, and the only woman besides my future wife that had that kind of power over me.
“Let me know if you get cold. Do you want something to drink? I got water, juice, wine, and probably some other shit.”
“I will let you know. And I’m guessing the other shit is protein shakes.” She laughed. “I’ll take some water.”
