I looked at him for a second, nodding slowly. “That makes sense.”
Leaning over toward the nightstand, he placed the blunt in the ashtray. “And you?”
“I didn’t pull the card.”
He gave me a look. “Tae.”
I rolled my eyes before answering. “Fine. I think people think I’m always in control. Like I never need help or that I always have everything together. And I don’t. I’m still learning and growing.”
He blinked at me, then reached for his Remy. “That don’t surprise me.”
“Why not?”
“’Cause you seem like the type that don’t ever ask for shit. You handle everything by yo’self. Even when you mad or overwhelmed, you still keep it cute like you don’t wanna slip and let nobody see the mess.”
I tilted my head. “And how would you know?”
“’Cause I’m good at readin’ people,” he said, taking a sip. “Been readin’ you since the first night.”
That made me feel warm. I bit my lip, holding his gaze for a second too long before I reached for the next card. “Okay, newquestion.” I cleared my throat and read it out loud. “‘What’s a red flag you ignored in your last relationship?’”
Ahmad laughed immediately. “You sure you wanna go there?”
I chuckled. “Don’t punk out now.”
He chuckled again, then ran his tongue across his teeth. “Aight. Everything ‘bout her was a red flag. She got issues but, you know… I fucked wit’ her enough to try. That shit got tirin’ as a mahfucka.”
“Do you miss her?’
“Hell nah. She miss me and this dick, though.” He smirked, gripping it, and I just laughed. “What ‘bout you?”
I took a slow sip. “My last actual relationship was a while ago, but… I wasrecentlyinvolved with a married man.”
“Oh, yeah. Ol’ boy that showed up tryna fuck when I’d already had you walkin’ funny.”
“Shut up!” I playfully hit his chest. “Yeah, him. It was just sex, but looking back on it, it was wrong. His willingness to cheat on his wife was a major red flag, but I didn’t care. I mean, as long as I got mine.”
“Damn. You cold, mamas.”
Rolling my eyes, I took another sip of Patrón before putting it on the nightstand on my side of the bed. My heart was beating a little faster, and I wasn’t sure if it was the liquor or the conversation. I slid the deck toward him. “Your turn.”
He took a card and chuckled to himself. “You sure?”
“I can handle it.”
He smirked and read, “‘What’s a non-sexual thing that turns you on?’”
I gave him a look. “You first.”
“Nah, you go.”
I leaned back against the pillows. “Confidence. Like when a man doesn’t have to say too much, but you still feel his presence when he walks into a room. That shit gets me every time.”
Ahmad nodded, clearly satisfied with my answer. “I got that,” he said cocky, rubbing his chest. “That’s me all day.”
I laughed. “Well, you definitely ain’t shy.”
He set the card down and leaned closer, eyes still on me. “Mine is when a woman speaks up for herself. Like, don’t let nobody play wit’ her. That shit do somethin’ to me.”
