I laughed. “No, I wasn’t. I told you we’re not on that.”
“Mmhmm.”
“I’m serious, Nyx. I’m trying to get my shit together, and getting involved with another man so soon after Mecca is not the way to do that.”
“I said the same thing after Eli, and it didn’t take long for me to end up in Shade’s arms.”
“That’s different. Shade wanted you, and he was determined to get you.”
“Oh, Ocean definitely wants you.”
“Ocean wants to fuck me.”
“He already did that.”
I sucked my teeth. “Ha, you’re funny.”
“What? It’s the truth though.”
“Whatever. Anyway, you know what I mean. He would be okay with a friends-with-benefits type of situation, and I’m trying to steer clear of that.”
“Because you have feelings for him, don’t you?” she said. “I told your ass not to do it. The very first night, I told you?—”
“I know, I know, and believe me, I was fine. Had we just left it at that, I would’ve been good. But then it happened again, and then he turned into somebody that I just enjoyed being around. We have real fucking conversations. We laugh, we talk, and he looks out for me. Even when we’re not together, he’s checking in on me and making sure I’m good.”
Silence.
“Nyx, you there?”
She cleared her throat. “Yeah, I’m here. Sorry, I got dizzy for a second.”
“Dizzy? What?—”
“Never mind that. Like I was saying...I just find it crazy how fast all of this happened. It’s only been a few weeks since you guys even met.”
“I know. It’s crazy to me too.” I sighed. “It’s just...he does things for me that no man has ever done before. That’s why I’m falling, and I’m trying so hard not to.”
“Yet, there you are, spending the night in his home.”
“I know. But I swear, as soon as he tells me the security system is done, I’m going straight back to my place.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Don’t do that, Nyx. I need your support. I need you to stop me from making the same mistakes that I made in the past. I’m listening to you, I promise.”
She sighed. “Honestly, I don’t know about this one.”
“What do you mean?”
“As much as I want to keep scolding you about getting mixed up with him, a part of me feels like I shouldn’t. Like, the vibe is different.”
“Really? How?”
Silence.
“Nyx?”
“Look, I’m staying out of it. If you want to focus on yourself, you should definitely do that. That’s all the advice I have for you.”
