“It’s kinda crazy running into you here, considering we’re neighbors and I haven’t seen you since I moved in,” he said.
“I’ve seen you a few times, coming and going, or working in the yard. I guess you’re not looking at the right times.”
He smiled. “I guess not. Hey, can I?—”
“Order for Diggs!” someone shouted up front.
Graham stopped mid-sentence, went to the front, and retrieved his food. As I watched him move to the side to check his bag, my mother’s last name was called. I approached the counter while digging the cash my mother had given me from my purse.
“I got it,” Graham said, as I prepared to pay.
“Thank you, but I got it,” I declined.
The woman behind the counter looked at me with raised brows and said, “Girl, I’m not taking your money when there’s a fine man who’s willing to pay.”
She reached past me and took Graham’s money instead. There were too many people in here to argue with her, and I didn’t want to hold up the line. I put the money back in my purse, grabbed the bag of food, and headed for the door.
Graham was right behind me, and when we got outside, he gently touched my shoulder, sending a wave of electricity through my body. I stopped and released a nervous breath before turning to face him.
“I can’t get a thank you?”
“I didn’t ask you, nor did I need you to pay for my food, but thank you.”
I started to turn around and head to my car, but for the second time, he sent shockwaves through me with his touch. I thought I’d imagined the jolt his touch sent through me the first time, but when it happened again, I knew it was real.
“What do you want?”
My question came out much harsher than I intended, and I could tell from his expression that my tone caught him by surprise.
“Are you always like this?”
I wanted to ask what he meant, but it wasn’t necessary because I knew exactly what he meant.
“I’m sorry. My family is waiting for me, and I don’t want our food to get cold.”
He nodded. “Cool. I won’t hold you, but I hope to see you again soon, and we have a much smoother encounter.”
He winked, and I smiled uncomfortably before rushing to my car. Graham watched me until I drove away from the restaurant. The last thing I needed was another fine, chocolate man fucking up my life.
“Stay away from him, Naryah. Stay far away from him.”
“I ran into my future wife,”I told my brother as we settled down to eat.
I’d only seen my brother and his family a few times since I touched down, and my nephew had been bugging me to come over and chill for a while. My previous visits had been short, and he wanted my undivided attention.
“You’re getting married, Uncle G?” Trey asked with a mouth full of food.
“One day, Nephew.”
“Wait a minute. I thought you were gonna go out with a few of my friends,” Kindra said.
DJ gave me an ‘I told you so’ look.
“About that . . .”
“Graham! I already got two dates lined up and a possible third.”
“Tell them something came up.”
