“Do I what?”
“Have everything you need?”
“I do. I didn’t know I wanted a kid, but now I have Sakani, and we really click. It’s like he was born to be my son.”
“I’m really happy to hear that. Sakani didn’t know he wanted a dad either, but watching you two the other night told me you were born to be his father.”
“Now, all he needs is a mother.”
Stone flashed me the most devilish smile, like he had it all planned out. He really thought I wanted to become a ready-made family, when I had no idea if I wanted a family at all. I’d seen the horrors of so-called family, and I had no desire to be attached to it again. At least I didn’t think I did.
“I hope you find the woman you’re looking for.”
This time, I looked him dead in the eyes. He needed to know I saw every shot he was taking and was dodging them one by one. I had more pressing things to worry about.
It wasn’t long before the waitress was returning with my latte. She set it in front of Stone to keep from reaching over him, and he slid it over to me. I wasted no time taking that first sip because if I didn’t need anything else, I needed my latte every single morning.
“Thank you,” I said as I placed it back on the table in front of me.
“I think I already found her.”
“You think you’re so smooth, don’t you?”
“I’m not trying to be smooth. I’m just telling you what I want.”
“And what about what I want? Does that matter to you?” I checked.
“Yes, I know you want me. You just don’t want to admit it yet. I’m here to help you admit it to yourself so it’s easy when it’s time to tell me.”
“So, how long have you been in town? I know you’re new here.”
“I actually grew up in this town. I graduated from Biloxi High School, joined the army, and only came back to visit. I retired last year and decided to come back home.”
“What made you come back? You have family here?”
“Mama Bea is the closest thing I have to family. She was my mother’s best friend, so they raised me and her son like brothers.”
“And where is your brother now?”
“He passed away not too long ago.”
“I am so sorry I asked.” Asking such an off-the-wall question sent me right back into a fog of awkwardness. “I, um, should get to work. I have a lot to do today.”
“You don’t have to always be nervous around me, Shanet.”
“I’m not nervous,” I lied, then got up to leave as fast as I could. Before I could get out of there, he grabbed my arm. I didn’t know what it was about that man’s touch that made me melt every single time.
“Give me your number before you go.”
It was more of a command than a suggestion. Every digit spilled out of my mouth like they had been waiting to be released. I hadn’t given a man my number in years, but I was happy to give it to Stone.
“Mr. Stone,I’m sure you understand fighting at this school cannot be tolerated.”
We were sitting in the principal’s office of the school Sakani had just started and was already about to be thrown out of. I was at home, working on my business plan so I could start pitching it to banks, when I got the call. So instead of securing our future, I was sitting here hearing about Sakani almost being involved in a gang fight.
“We understand that Sakani is new and is still finding his footing here, but we can’t have him hitting other students.”
“All they gotta do is stay out of my face.”
