Wrapping his hands around my waist, he leaned in to kiss my forehead. I didn’t try to pull back this time.
“I won’t drag you. I’ll lead from a place of understanding. And if at any point you decide that this is too much for you, I’ll free you of me.”
I laughed softly. “I just don’t see that happening.”
“Real shit. I’d hate it, but your happiness means more to me than my need to be the reason you’re happy.”
His declaration made something shift inside me, and my arms found their way around his neck. Aura towered over me atan even six feet. I stared into his deep brown eyes and allowed myself to fully take him in. To feel for him openly.
“You knew and still loved me anyway. I have so many thoughts in my head that I still need to sort out, but I want to give us a chance. I think…”
I was cut off by him pressing his lips against mine. The kiss was soft, mixed with a hint of balanced aggression.
“You ain’t gotta think when I’m around, Nae. Just focus on existing. I got the rest, aight?”
“Okay,” I replied, giving my brain a break and letting my heart speak for me.
CHAPTER 10
Keep It A Stack
ENZO
Iwas leaving my office and headed to Thyri’s place when I got a call from Aura, letting me know that Amil had summoned us to the diner. According to him, whatever she wanted to talk about had to be serious because she didn’t want to talk over the phone. I figured as much. Amil didn’t call family meetings, especially at the diner during the midday rush. If anything, she was clear on the times she didn’t want anyone calling her phone unless there was an emergency. If she wanted us both in the same place at the same time, then we did something.
Walking into the diner, I headed straight to the back where Aura was seated. Sliding into the booth, I dapped him up. “What’s good? Where Mil at?”
His eyes shifted past me. “She in her office. Told me to text her once you got here.”
“Well, I’m here. Text her, nigga.”
“Aight,” he said but didn’t attempt to reach for his phone.
I glanced back over my shoulder to see what had his attention. Only it wasn’t a what but a who – Danae. She made her way around the diner, greeting customers, checking on staff, and tending to her managerial duties, while this crazy nigga watched her.
I smirked. “Yo’ ass is lovesick. Stop staring so hard. That shit creeped out.”
He chuckled. “A nigga can’t admire his woman in peace?”
“Feel free to stalk when I’m not around, man. You making me uncomfortable.”
“Nigga, shut up.” He balled up a napkin and tossed it at me. “Nae say she taking a chance on us, but I gotta go at her pace.”
I nodded. “That must be some Anderson shit cause Thyri said the same thing.”
“And how’s that going?”
“She’ll be pregnant by spring.”
We both cracked up laughing, slapping fives across the table.
“The Sullivan way,” he said.
“The only way. About this meeting though. What you think Mil wanna holla at us about?”
“Shit, hell if I know.” He shrugged. “I just sent her a text. It better not be about that nigga, Naim, missing. Cause she could’ve came by the crib for that. This my only chill day.”
“You still ain’t tell her ‘bout that shit?” I asked, referring to Amil’s ex, Naim, who Aura had put down a few weeks back.
