I stood and followed behind him, close enough to feel the pull of his presence without touching him. When we walked into the smaller living room, it settled me instantly with one couch, one chair, and a TV mounted above a small fireplace.
Proctor sat down and leaned back; his arms stretched across the couch like he owned every inch of air in the room. Once I sat beside him, I felt small, almost like I was next to agiant. Me and Josiah were pretty close in height, so I never felt this petite next to his ass.
“So, what did you give your friend that has her knocked out like that?”
I froze.
“Excuse me?”
A low laugh slipped from him.
“Don’t play with me, gorgeous. I saw what you did. What did you give her? And how long is she going to be sleeping over there?”
“I—I—” The words tangled in my throat. My face burned. How fucking embarrassing was this?
“Don’t worry about it. I get it. Shorty cute and all, but she runs her mouth too damn much. I got friends like that. I’d drug her ass too if I wanted some real time with somebody.”
“Who said I wanted real time with anyone? I just knew that she’d drink and drink and drink and regret that shit in the morning.”
“Or maybe you didn’t want her to drink and keep making moves on me.”
A smirk tugged at his mouth.
“Whatever, Proctor.” I laughed lightly.
“And for the record, I didn’t drug her. It was just Benadryl.”
“Damn, she must be a lightweight. Her ass is knocked out. But now that she is sleep. I can really get closer to you.” He moved his body in my direction.
“Are you really ready to get married? I know a lot of women say yes to get dressed up and eat fancy dinners, but don’t think about the rest of their lives. Is he a good dude?”
“I guess. I mean, I do love him. We been together for years.”
“And time builds love, right?”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
He shifted on the seat, rubbing his knee slowly, eyes never leaving mine.
“So, what does he do for a living?”
“Stock trading, DJing at parties, along with some other things.”
“Sounds like he dips and dabbles in a lot of shit to avoid settling into one lane. Am I right?”
“Sort of. He is honestly just good at a lot of things, too.”
I took up for Josiah even when I didn’t mean to.
“So, what do you do for a living. Does he take care of you?”
I hesitated, then decided the truth felt easier than telling him another lie.
“I dance.”
“Dance?”
“Yeah, on a pole on the weekends. That’s how I make extra money.”
