She swallowed. “Reek…”
“Let me stop flirting with you.”
Ava’s brows lifted again. “Is that what you’re doing?”
“Hell yeah. I’m giving you my best lines.” Then I took a step back. But let me chill. You don’t need a nigga like me ruining you, and I’m the kind of man that would.”
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn’t have a comeback for that.
I straightened up and tapped the bar lightly with my knuckles. “Drink your drink, pretty girl.”
Then I walked away, because I knew that if I ever acted on my lust for her, she would only end up hating me in the end.
RHYTHM BROOKS
The next day, Sincere and I were on FaceTime while I sat in traffic. My phone was propped against my steering wheel, and his face filled the screen from his car. He was leaving work too. His tie was loosened and his glasses were on, and he looked good in his sexy, nerdy way.
I stared at him for a second longer than I should have. I adored the way his eyes softened every time they landed on me. Even through the phone, he made me feel touched, like he knew exactly how to feel me without ever laying a hand on me.
“Do you think you can really love again? And trust your partner after what Tempo did?”
He thought for a second before answering, “My heart was guarded. It hasn’t even been that long. It’s only been a few months since Tempo. But it opened up easily for you. I don’t know why. I didn’t expect to love again this soon.”
I smiled like an idiot and didn’t even care. “You love me?”
“Of course,” he said, like that was obvious.
I leaned back in my seat and let myself enjoy that for a second. I loved how sure he was.
He looked at me through the screen like he was studying my reaction. Then he asked, “How you doing with not being with Kodi after all these years?”
I exhaled slowly. “I’m okay. I was mentally and emotionally out of the relationship a long time ago. I never expected to find someone this soon. I wasn’t even looking. I was trying to get my life together and focus on my kids. But I’m glad it happened.”
He smiled slightly. “Me too.”
We stared at each other through the phone for a second. He lifted his brows like he was flirting without saying anything. I rolled my eyes, smiling, then glanced back at the road.
A text notification dropped down on my screen.
It was Kodi. I read it without opening it fully:Can’t pick them up. Got a move to make.
I felt myself frown before I could stop it.
Sincere noticed immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“Kodi,” I groaned. “He can’t pick the kids up. And I can’t get there in time. KJ’s after-school program and Kinsley’s daycare close at six. I’m still in traffic.”
“I’ll get them.”
“No,” I said fast. “You don’t have to do that. I can call my mom or Joi.”
“I’m in the city and it’s already a quarter to five. I can get them quicker than they can.”
“Sincere, you don’t have to do that.”
“I’m not just fucking you, baby,” he told me. “You’re my woman. I got you.”
I bit my lip and looked away. “You don’t have to be responsible for my kids.”
