Cash let out a deep-bellied laugh, showing off his perfect smile.
“That nigga not stupid enough to press charges,” he said, putting his gun back into the waistband of his pants. “He think just ‘cause his people own this spot that he got pull, but I own the building. So, it’s whatever.”
“Uh huh.” I grabbed my phone, already pulling up the Uber app.
“Who you calling?” he asked, leaning over to peek at my screen.
“Damn, nigga, you not my daddy!” I fussed, elbowing him.
“But I could be,” he whispered in my ear, kissing my neck.
My mouth fell open—the audacity.
He snatched the phone from my hand and stood, striding toward the exit.
“Hey!” I yelled as I grabbed my purse and chased after him.
He was leaning against a blacked-out Range Rover, smirking and holding my phone hostage between his fingers.
“What’d you do?” I demanded, snatching it back.
It immediately lit up, andBig Daddy Cashflashed across the screen.
I gave him the nastiest look I could muster. “I’m gonna block you.”
“Go ‘head,” he said, completely unfazed, nodding toward the open passenger door. “Get in the car, sweetheart.”
“No.” I planted my hands on my hips. “You can’t just show up?—”
“Jasmine.” His voice dropped low, and he stepped into my space. “Get in the car before I pick your thick ass up and put you in.”
“I don’t need you to take me anywhere.” I held my chin up. “For all you know, I got another date lined up for tonight.”
“Oh yeah?” he laughed dryly. “Are your other dudes corny like that nigga Amir? ‘Cause I’ll follow you to the next spot and press you there too. And I wish they’d try to stop me.”
My heart thudded so hard I could feel it in my ears. He was doing too much, and it had no business turning me on the way it did.
I blew out a frustrated breath, bumping his shoulder as I climbed into the truck and slammed the door.
“I know you in your feelings, but don’t be slamming my shit like that,” he said, starting the engine.
I cut my eyes at him but kept quiet. I was already embarrassed and irritated on multiple levels.
“So, you not gonna tell me where you live so I can drop you off?”
“I’m surprised you don’t already know,” I said. “Since you clearly stalked me here.”
He didn’t say anything, turning up the music as he pulled out of the lot.
I closed my eyes and tried to steady my breathing. My heart was still racing from what happened in the lounge. I wasn’t sure it was from seeing Amir getting his face smashed or from how Cash had managed to hijack another evening from me.
“How’d you know where I was?” I finally asked, breaking the silence.
He shrugged, keeping his eyes fixed on the road as he turned on 85.
“Fucking Monica,” I muttered. She was with Jelani—it made sense. I was gonna curse her ass out next time I saw her.
“So, you make it a habit of dealing with corny-ass niggas?” he asked as if we were casually catching up.
