“Thanks. I probably look a mess.”
“You’re welcome and not at all. You’re beautiful.” She paused as she blushed. It was quiet between us before I said something.
“I apologize for overstepping, but I couldn’t help but hear that you’re looking for someone. I can help you with that. I’m a private investigator.” To help sell my business being legit, I reached into my pocket, producing a business card for her. She was hesitant to receive it as she pulled her top lip down, checking it out while I held it.
“Burkeley Morgan,” she said as she took it. “Do you just offer your services like this to complete strangers after eavesdropping on their conversations?”
“Only the gorgeous ones. And please call me BK.”
She snorted as she shook her head. “Well, considering how desperate I am right now, I guess I have no choice but to trust a stranger. I’m McKay, or Mickey. Tell me how this works, BK.Like what all do you need to find someone? I have a name and an old number and address.”
“However much you can get me. It works best if you know their whereabouts, like routine stuff. If they go grocery shopping this day or hang out at this bar.”
She tilted her head and frowned as she pressed her lips together.
“This might not work then. I don’t have much and now I feel silly for even being in my situation and not knowing a lot of that basic information. Thank you for trying though.” McKay went to slide the card back, but I halted her movements.
“You said you have a name? Give me that. It might take a few extra days to get a hit, but I promise I’ll help you out.” McKay was up now, moving to put all her trash on the tray.
“No. It’s okay. Maybe that’s my sign that this isn’t a good idea. It was nice meeting you, Burkeley Morgan.” I reached for her wrist, stopping her. Just the feel of her smooth ass skin had a shock of electricity running down my arms, causing goosebumps to form.
“Here. In case you change your mind.” I handed her the card. McKay stared at it before nodding then taking it. I watched her walk out and get into her car before I finally put my attention on my food.
I prayed like hell that she called me.
I sangalong to the hip-hop playing through speakers in my house while I did plant maintenance. This was a new hobby of mine, but I was in it deep. I had a total of seven and counting in the front room of my house or bonus living room. Of course, I had a money tree, but my favorite was my aloe vera plant due toall the benefits it produced. Like a lot of my plants, they were air purifiers as well as natural healing remedies and great for both hair and skin. Anna loved my hobby so much that she was always over here trying to steal leaves from my baby.
I trimmed the yellow leaves of my peace lily while I rapped the words from the song to it. I read somewhere that they loved music recently and had been trying out different genres to see which ones helped them thrive more.
The sound of my phone ringing broke my concentration from my process to see who was interrupting me and my babies.
“Hold on, Lily, Daddy has a call.” I turned the music down before putting my attention on my phone off to the side. I smiled once I noticed it was my mother calling. I was sure she was outside.
“Hello, Anna,” I greeted, saying her first name, knowing she hated it.
“Boy, you’re not too old to get popped in your damn mouth, now come help me bring this box in.” I was already in motion toward the back door where I knew she was parked. Family and friends knew to pull in behind me, leaving the other side of my driveway empty for my clients.
I chuckled just as I opened the door to see my mother standing there with her hand on her hip and a scowl on her face.
“I’m telling you. You go above and beyond for your kids and they remind you every chance they can that it’s too much. Get that box out of the trunk before I change my mind and send ’em over to Art,” she said, pushing past me into the house.
I shook my head as I smirked at her. Anna said all that but I knew better.
After I washed my hands, I followed directions. I made my way outside to her car to get my box of food from her trunk. By the time I made it back inside, Anna was looking at my aloeplant, plotting on which stem she would take with her, but I was ahead of the plan.
“I already got yours cut off and it’s waiting for you, Mama.” She popped up with her eyes wide, knowing I had just caught her in the act of stealing before she smiled. I pointed to the counter while I began unpacking the box to put the meals away.
“How did you know my stash was getting low? I swear your father is using my gel on that head of his. I keep telling that man he ain’t even got a pinch of hair and to stop wasting my stuff, but he doesn’t listen to anybody but himself. Saying he’s trying to grow an afro.” I chuckled because my dad Paul was bald for sure.
“Ay, let my pops dream. It could happen.” I laughed again, continuing to put my food away. I glanced over at Anna who was waving me off while she picked up the stems I had cut off and wrapped for her.
“Who’s this, BK? She’s beautiful.” I frowned before I put my gaze back on her to see she now had those pictures of McKay I’d meant to discard the other day. It had been a week since I’d officially met her in BJ’s and she had yet to leave my mind. It was weird how I didn’t know anything about her yet had played out multiple scenarios of her being with me. It sounded crazy as hell honestly, but I couldn’t help it.
I shrugged, hoping that was enough for Anna because that was all I had to give her, or wanted to anyway. I didn’t want my mother to know her son was out here taking random pictures of women while I was supposedly working.
Thankfully, Anna didn’t push for more.
“Well, whoever she is, she’s gorgeous. Ya know it wouldn’t be a bad thing if you decided to start dating, BK. Your brother has Amber. I would love to see both of my boys settling down and finding love, Burkeley. It’s time to make that move for you. Ooh, as a matter of fact, I know the perfect young lady for you. Don’t worry, Mama’s got you. ” I tossed her a look to check her bodylanguage to see if she was serious right now. When she wore a proud smile, it told me everything.
