I rolled my eyes while taking a step back to create some distance. “You need to stop thinking then.”
Sym’s head dropped back when he released a hearty chuckle. “And what do you need to stop doing other than avoiding me?”
I tooted my lips and tilted my head to the side. “Boy, ain’t nobody been avoiding you. I’ve literally seen you every day this week.” I was totally avoiding him, and for good reason. It was clear Sym wanted me to cross lines I’d drawn very strategically for my protection.
“Not the way I’ve wanted to see you though. What I have in mind doesn’t include school pick-ups and drop-offs for a four-year-old.”
“I’m not fucking you,” I blurted out in case he was under the impression that I put out easily. Most men ceased to exist again once you let them know your legs were closed for business.
Sym sucked his teeth. “Girl, wasn’t nobody thinking about fucking you.” He frowned and gave me a side eye as if he was disappointed in me. “I mean, at least not yet. I was talking about taking you to dinner or something casual.” He shook his head as he backed away. “But I can see you don’t want to be bothered, so I’ma just stay out yo’ way.”
I watched the muscles in his back flex as he turned and began to walk away. I felt bad for assuming his only intentions were to get inside my pants. There was also the fact that I kind of liked it when he was around. Before I could stop it, I was calling out, “Wait!”
I knew the nigga was smiling hard, even though he wasn’t facing me. He was probably thinking, ‘got her’, with his arrogant ass. He wiped the smile off when he faced me to give me an annoyed expression instead. “What, Leigh?” he asked as if he had an attitude.
“Nothing, since you wanna act stank.” I rolled my neck at him like I also had an attitude.
“Girl . . .”
I shrieked and took off running when he sprinted toward me. Sym was faster and taller than me, so one of my steps equaled two of his. He caught up to me in no time and wrapped his arms around my waist. I was up in the air and pressed against his sweaty chest before I could stop it from happening.
“Stop! Get off of me!” I pleaded with a laugh.
“Nah, ’cause you gon’ stop playing with me. I fuck with your vibe, and I want to be around it more. Is that such a fucking crime, Leigh?” His voice was no longer playful, instead it was soft and vulnerable. When he placed me on my feet, I made the mistake of melting into his frame. His warm breath on my cheek comforted me in a way I wasn’t expecting. “Hm? Is it a crime?” he asked me for a second time. His voice was lower and detonating every one of my defense mechanisms.
I shook my head, slightly turning to look up at him. “No, it’s not a crime, Symphony. I just need you to know I’m not one of your little groupies I’ve seen you parading around the internet with. If you’re looking for a fling, I’m not it.”
He released his arms, allowing me the space to turn and look at him. “Let me find out you be watching me,” he murmured with a cheeky grin. I rolled my eyes, ready to walk away from him, but he chuckled, and his next words froze me in place. “Okay, okay, I hear you. I’m just playing, but what if I’m looking for a forever? Could you be that?”
I shrugged very nonchalantly. “Maybe if you mean well.”
That seemed to be all he needed to hear as he tossed his arm over my shoulder and began walking us back down the path. I settled into step beside him while trying to calm my racing heart. I was really casually walking along Lake Whisper with Symphony fucking Sinclaire. Was this real life?
“What are you doing out here anyway? Where’s your Doodle Bop?” I asked in a teasing manner, shattering the comfortable silence between us.
I could feel the heat of his eyes on me. “See, I knew you thought the name was cute, with your hating ass.” He pointed toward the playground in the distance. “I wanted to get a workout in while my Doodle Bop played with the other crumb snatchers.” He paused for a quick second. “I swear, it’s like she’s had an entire personality shift since she got her little glasses.”
I couldn’t help but smile because it was true. I had noticed a difference in Iylah this week, now that she could see clearly. She talked more, and when we sat down to work on her colors, she was finally retaining the information.
“I know. She looks so freaking cute.”
“Right. I’m obsessed with her baby glasses.”
We fell into another comfortable silence until I remembered something else he’d said. “Maybe I was hating because I want a cute nickname from Unca Sym too.”
“Oh, really? And what might that be?” His smile was so satisfying. I tucked my lips and looked away before I got myself in trouble.
I shrugged while dipping lower, so his arm fell off my shoulder. “I don’t know. That’s for you to think about.”
Before he could respond, I reached for the sweat towel in the waistband of his pants, wound it up, and smacked him dead in the chest with it. He hissed in shock while I took off running. The only things that could be heard were my laughs and his grunts as he chased me.
I didn’t know why I enjoyed it, but there was something so exhilarating about Sym chasing me. The reward was being lifted in his arms for a second time and pressed against a solid chest that felt too much like home.
“If I invite you somewhere, would you come?” His breath on my earlobe weakened me.
“Maybe,” I teased, using every grain of willpower I had left.
“What if I got on my knees and begged?”
