“We’re supposed to be incognito,” I muttered as he pulled out a chair.
“Bébé, don’t nobody care about us right now.”
For effect, laughter ripped the club in half.
“If someone roasts me, I will eat your big ol’ sexy self alive with some A1 steak sauce.” I slunk into the seat.
Montana claimed the leather chair next to me. “Hope you get the chance. Nico is here tonight. Don’t forget to thank him for these seats before you eat him alive too.”
“What?” I squeaked.
“He’ll know me by the Dodger hoodie, and he hooked us up with these seats.” Montana turned to the server.
“Wai-wait. You didn’t tell him I said …”
“Double shot of Hennessy. Actually,”—he looked around at the crowd instead of addressing me—“Two hennies with Coke. One lemon drop martini.”
Hmmm. He knew my favorite drink. Finally, he glanced into my bewildered eyes.
“Cheesecake,bébé?” he asked.
“Did you tell Nico I said I’m your funniest?—”
“That’s it,” he told the server.
She sashayed away in shorts smaller than the Hanes hipsters I bought at Walmart. Should I whack him over the head because he stared atmy scaredface instead of watching her retreat? Or kiss him.Dang. I still craved a kiss from this man.
After a while, without being roasted like a whole hog, I chilled and laughed with Montana.
Once the hype man announced the headliner, I drank my martini.
“Chill, Sweet Cheeks, and drink up. Nico’s shooting a movie. He’s aware of the joke battle. Said he’s ready for you.”
“Mm-hmm. Do you even know NicoRoman?” The comedian’s name rolled off my tongue, softer than silk. My arms folded. Theguy was cute—no denying that. But Montana? Not a flicker of jealousy touched his beautiful skin.
Along while later, I’d hatched a plan while snuggling in Montana’s arms as he carried me inside his home. With each step up the sweeping staircases, I pretended to snore, cuddling into him.Miss Virginia, you’d be proud of me.
If this worked—making him meet me at my level—maybe I’d share my past? For now, I felt safe. Safe, exhausted, and wide awake.
Montana placed me on the bed in the guest room I’d chosen. His lips brushed soft against mine, a whisper more than a kiss.
“I know you done friend-zoned me,bébé. Snore a little louder if it’s a yes—since you really sound like you need a CPAP machine for your sleep.”
My cheeks burned, and I silently scolded him for lying.I didn’t snore.
He chuckled low, the sound softening the darkness. “You hatched that crazy plan while stuck in traffic. I like this, wearing you down.” His mouth touched one eyelid, then the other, feather-light. “Don’t know if I should hope my momma meddling got to you. Bet not be what happened at the restaurant,chère. You’re too strong to be afraid.”
The warmth of his words wrapped me like a blanket, and it took the protection I felt to another level. Cared for in ways I never experienced in the system. Loved.
Yep, that was the issue. If a fake date felt like this, how would my heart survive sleeping under the same roof with Montana, alone in La-La Land, for two nights?
“How’s mommy’s baby?” Sleep and distance made my voice crack. As I focused on FaceTime, my cheek left a bit of drool on the silk pillowcase.
Darius had called me first thing. Well, I guess not. He mentioned a sleepover with Shanice’s daughter and three other kids while shoveling pancakes into his mouth.
“Who are Terry and?—”
“Auntie Genèse’s kids. Grandmommy said she and Uncle Brian wanted a date night.”
