"Good, because he does and he wouldn't cheat."
"I know…" Sheree huffed. "Now, how did your night end? Did you two make beautiful music together.?"
Samari almost tripped and crash landed on the treadmill and decided this was a perfect time to end her run.
"Why would you ask me that?"
Had Sheree recognized him? Samari sure as hell hadn’t.
"Because you, my little songbird, were smitten by that handsome stranger who graciously came to our rescue last night.”
When her pace slowed to a staggered walk, Samari pressed the button to end her workout then stepped off the treadmill, relaxing because maybe Sheree didn't know who he was.
"We didn't need to be rescued and all he did was give us a ride home."
"We were both drunk…"
"No boo, you were drunk. I was pleasantly tipsy but still very in control of my faculties.”
"Okay fine, I was drunk but he gave us a ride, was respectful, and didn't try to get the panties." Sheree paused. "Or did he?"
"No, he didn't."
But he kissed me and promised to help me get back the one thing I love most, music.
"Okay, so did you offer the panties since he was a gentleman?"
She laughed. "No, I did not."
"Mari, seriously. Not even a quickie as a thank you for the ride home."
"Not even a quickie. Sorry to disappoint."
"You should be sorry because you disappointed me, friend. That man was fine, Samari. Lick him like candy kind of fine. I raised you better than this."
Samari frowned, pushing through the glass doors of the gym, heading to the elevator. "You did, Ree, but sometimes your baby bird has to go against the grain and spread her wings. Me not having a quickie with a stranger was spreading my wings."
"Hoe, you're aggy as fuck but I still love you. I would love you more if you could report on what his dick game is like. But wait, never mind. Let me hold onto the fantasy. A man that fine has to have flaws. So I bet he can't fuck, and if he can, he has a little dick. Yep, thank you for not ruining the fantasy."
Samari frowned as she pressed the button and waited for the elevator. "You're fantasizing about him?"
"Nope but you are because your tone just got tense as hell. That tells me everything I need to know. Mari has a boyfriend."Sheree sang the last part and Samari felt set up. How the hell had she fallen for that?
"I don't have a boyfriend. I don't know that man."
"Okay then, a crush. Please tell me you have his number or he has yours."
"Wouldn't you like to know? I'm about to step on the elevator. I'll call you this week. Love you, mean it," Samari rattled off quickly, knowing Sheree was going to be pissed and blown by the secrecy.
She would put her out of her misery and admit she had Asao’s number and he had hers after ignoring Sheree for about an hour or so. But she wouldn't tell her who he was just yet. She planned to hold onto that privately for a little while longer. For some reason it felt like confessing his promise out loud would ruin the opportunity. So for now, Samari was keeping this close to her heart and praying things worked out. Asao was literally her last hope for getting her life back. One that had been stolen from her.
7
"Sit, let me feed you."
Asao smiled at his mother as she moved to the kitchen and began filling a plate. Her entire place smelled like well-seasoned food, reminding him of his childhood and causing his stomach to grumble. His mother had been born and raised in the south in a small town where family was important and Sunday dinner was not a choice.
Kendra’s parents passed their values down to their two daughters but both women were disowned because of their life choices. His Aunt Kelly had fallen in love with freedom whichmeant doing everything but what her parents expected. And his mother had fallen in love with a man she shouldn't have. Leedren Delane was a proud Black man who loved beautiful women which meant he carried a reputation. Only one, however, had stolen his heart.
