“I apologize.” He touched his chest. “Something came up that night. You know I wouldn’t stand you up if my situation wasn’t important.”
Pursing her lips, she retorted, “Oh, yeah? So, what was it?”
“Business.” Noble kept it short, not wanting to discuss how Irish had found her way back home to him.
“Yeah, I bet.” She twisted her lips. “Did you blow me off for some pussy?”
Noble chuckled, knowing he had stood Danira up for pussy that was so good that he gave it a nickname.
“I told you, business. Why you questioning me?”
She raised her hands, surrendering to him. “You're right. You don't owe me that, but you could’ve at least called and told me not to go wait for you. You had me looking stupid as hell.”
Twisting his lips, Noble replied, “I doubt that. I already know you caught the eye of some nigga, and he was all in your face.”
Beaming, she nodded. “You're right. I actually exchanged numbers with this guy, and we went on a date on Sunday.”
“See, I helped you out,” he boasted. “You probably met your future husband.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. I mean, he was cool, but future husband, yeah, no.”
Noble glanced at his phone to ensure that he didn’t miss the meet up with his lieutenants.
“So.” Danira rested her elbow on the table, smirking at him. “Did your heart heal yet?”
Noble’s heart was so content that he had a permanent smile on his lips. His time spent in Jade Mountain with Irish was a moment he didn’t know he needed. They’d emptied themselves into each other, then filled their souls back to full. This time around, Irish was insistent on being with him. There was no doubt, no uncertainty, or any hesitation on her part. She’d chosen him, and Noble was ready to take complete care of her. He just needed to figure out how he would navigate their relationship on his end.
“I’m straight.”
A knowing expression covered her lightly made-up face. “That’s it? Straight?”
“Damn, why do women want a complete breakdown of everything?” That made Danira giggle. “If a man tell you that he’s straight, believe him.”
“Okay, Noble, I believe you.” She stared at him for a while before taking a sip of her drink. Steam floated from the topas her gaze deepened on him. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot, lately. You know, hoping that you didn’t let this break up get to your heart.”
Leaning back in his seat, he wondered where Danira was headed in this conversation.
“Everything is cool, Nira. You know you don't have to worry about me. I always bounce back. Besides, shit ain't so bad on that end.”
Her mouth gaped as she pointed at him. “I knew it. You blew me off for her, didn’t you?”
Noble couldn’t hide his smile at all. “Aye, didn’t I tell you it was business.”
“Yeah, pussy business. Wow, you are really in love with this girl, Noble.”
He would never deny it but the way she said it made him ask, “Why you say it like that?”
“Because you don't do the back and forth. Once you're done, that’s it.”
That was life before his Pumpkin came into his existence. She forced him to feel emotions that never had been a part of his character. When they departed months before, Noble had written Irish out of his life. It was a painful experience, but he never avoided doing the hard things. However, something deep in the cranny of his heart wouldn’t release Irish. She dwelled there, folding her arms like a defiant child and refusing to leave.
“Guess what song I heard the other day?” She changed the subject.
“What?”
“Luther Vandross’PromiseMe. Remember how much your mama played it back in the day?”
He snorted as she cackled. Lyra had played that song so much that he loathed it to this very day.
