“I saw him a few times in passing starting from when I was thirteen. I never paid him too much attention, but when I saw him in the club, I recognized him. He offered me drinks, and I accepted because I was only nineteen and couldn’t buy my own drink. Then, he passed me a blunt, and after two tokes I noticed it tasted funny, and I gave it back. Whatever was in the weed, or the liquor, or both messed me up. I slept until three pm the next day, and I don’t remember having sex with him. I even took a plan B pill but three weeks later, I missed my period.”
“That’s fucked up. Especially since he was a grown ass man in his twenties. And he knew Devin was your pops? That nigga was either bold as hell or had a death wish.”
“Yeah and even as disgusted as I was with him, I never wanted any harm to come to him. I’m a softie at heart. That’s the main reason, I don’t deal too much with my father. I love him, but all that comes with his life can be a bit much.”
“I definitely get that kind of vibe from you. That’s why I felt like I was tripping when it seemed like you were flirting with me.”
“It’s been way too long since I had fun with a mature man that I was attracted to. I’d love to get married one day and have more kids but until then, I can have fun. I’m still human, and it’s been a hell of a long dry spell.”
“Got damn, you just sat there and told me all you want from me is dick. I feel violated.”
Apricot giggled then kissed her teeth. “Whatever.”
“What is your schedule looking like on Sunday? I have my son Friday and Saturday nights. Sunday morning, he’s going to church with my mom. We can do brunch, or we can do something later in the evening.”
“Brunch is fine. Kiwi and I are going to the movies at six.”
“Bet. I’ll let you go for the night. It was nice talking to you. Just decide where you want to eat brunch at and text me the location. I’ll pick you up Sunday at noon.”
“Okay. It was nice talking to you too. Goodnight.”
I was with whatever Ms. Apricot was with. I just hoped she knew what she was getting herself into.
CHAPTER 5
APRICOT
I didn’t wantmy father knowing that I was hanging out with Uno, so I chose to meet him at the restaurant. The entire way there, my nerves were on ten. It was true that I didn’t want anything serious with Uno, and I appreciated him inviting me to brunch. On the way there, however, it dawned on me that I didn’t know a whole lot about him. The attraction was there for sure, but I didn’t know if I was ready to just bust it open for him. Trying to be a city girl had me writing checks that my ass probably couldn’t cash.
When I arrived at the restaurant, I pulled up in front of the valet stand, and I saw Uno getting out of a dark grey BMW truck. It was nice as hell and so was he. Damn Uno was one fine specimen. After a few bottomless Mimosas, it might not be too hard for him to get in between my legs. Only time would tell. The valet attendant approached my car, but Uno said something causing him to step back. I couldn’t hear him, but it was soon obvious that he told the attendant that he’d open my door. When he did so, I emerged from the car and gave him a genuine smile.
I left the key fob inside the car, so after giving the valet attendant my name and phone number, I followed Uno to the entrance of the restaurant. He held the door open for me andthen went to the hostess stand to give his name since he’d made us a reservation. We were seated, and I ordered a strawberry Mimosa to drink while he simply got orange juice.
“You’re going to make me feel like a lush drinking alone.”
“Nah, do you. I smoked before I came, and too much too early will have me asleep. When Ace gets out of church, we’re going to find something to get into until it’s time for me to drop him off at home.”
“How many more kids do you want and what do you want?” I propped my chin on my fist and leaned forward ready to hang onto his every word.
“I think I want two more. If not two more than one is okay. I don’t think I could handle mad girls, so if I’m going to stop at two, a girl would be nice. If I have three or more, I want the boys to outnumber the girls. Females are something serious. I’m good on a bunch of daughters.”
I chuckled. “Now that’s stereotypical. Boys can be just as bad if not worse than females.”
“I don’t doubt that. The thing is, if my sons get out of line, I have no problem putting belt to ass. With a girl though,” he shook his head. “All she’ll have to do is pout and poke that bottom lip out, and I’m gon’ fold every time.”
“That’s definitely how my dad is with Kiwi. She can do no wrong in his eyes. So, yeah, stay safe my boy. Have sons.”
Uno laughed as the server set our drinks in front of us. “You funny as fuck. A woman with a sense of humor is a breath of fresh air.
“I do what I can,” I replied with a smile.
The fact that Uno was such an amazing father was sexy as hell to me. I wasn’t big on praising people for things that should be the norm, but being a single mother made me very appreciative of men that stepped up to the plate and was there for their kids. From his interaction with Ace to the way he talkedabout his son, I could tell they had an awesome relationship and once again, I felt a pang of sadness knowing that Kiwi didn’t have that. And she never would. At least not with her biological father.
“What do you like to do for fun?” Uno questioned after we ordered our food.
“Kiwi and I like going to the movies. We see almost every new movie that comes out that’s age appropriate for her. I’m currently teaching her to skate.”
“Nah,” Uno chuckled and shook his head. “What do you like to do for you? Something that you enjoy that doesn’t have anything to do with you being a mother?”
