She stares at me far too long, and then her eyes move back and forth as a single tear slides down her right cheek. “What happens if it doesn’t work out? How will you support yourself?” She shakes her head. “What are you going to fall back on? You know I want the best for you.”
My shoulders stiffen as I grab her hand. “I know. I know. Don’t you have a little faith in me?’
“Of course I do. I raised a smart, brilliant girl.”
“Then trust me.”
“I do. I think having a relationship is bad, and I don’t want you to turn out like your mother, head over heels for a guy who isn’t good for you.”
“He’s good for me. We love each other.”
“If you say so,” she says as if she doesn’t believe her own words.
Viper comes into the living room and stands next to my side. “Your guest room is ready if you need to spend the night.”
“I’m only staying for one night.” She glances around the room. “Your décor is nice. What is it you do for a living?”
“Aunt Savannah! You’re being rude,” I say, annoyed.
She picks at the skin around her thumb. “I need to know what kind of man you’re dating.”
“I’m a stockbroker on Wall Street,” Viper lies and winks at me.
She sits on the couch and takes in the view of the city.
“What are your intentions with my niece?” she says, not taking her eyes off the window.
“Be with her and take care of her.”
“She doesn’t need anyo—”
“Never said she needed me to. She works hard and has ambitions and is bright,” he states, tucking fine hair behind my ear.
She twists to look at us, and Viper intertwines his fingers with mine.
“How old are you?”
“Thirty-two.”
“You better treat her right because I’ll kill you and bury your remains in my friend’s pig pens.”
Shut up, Aunt Savannah. You’re embarrassing me.
“Yes, ma’am,” Viper answers with amusement in his tone.
“I’m serious. What’s your name?”
“It’s Demonte.”
She gets up from the couch and looks up at him. “You may call me Aunt Savannah.” She holds out her hand, and he shakes it. “You’re handsome. Very handsome.” She dusts off her pants. “Now we’ve got that out of the way, I’m starving. What are some good restaurants in the Big Apple?”
The next day, I’m up earlier and Viper has already left, so I get out of bed, brush my teeth, do my hair, and throw on some clothes. Last night, we came home after dinner, and I readThe Murder Houseby James Patterson while Aunt Savannah told him stories about my life.
Once I close and lock the door to the condo, I get into one of Viper’s cars and head to work. I’m dreading it because of Mr. Arthur. I don’t want things to be awkward between us, but I don’t feel comfortable working with him. Ever since he asked me out on a date, I’ve been avoiding him like the plague. He’ll try to hold a conversation with me about my personal life, but I keep it very short and professional.
When I pull up to Icon Parking, I hand the valet my keys and stride the block to the bookstore. My heart bounces in my chest as I yank the glass door open and head straight to the break room. I pour myself a cup of joe and add sugar and creamer. Two other employees I don’t recognize sit chatting among themselves so I say hello and they wave at me.
Once I finish my drink, I toss the cup into the wastebasket before strolling to the counter I normally work at.
