“Why didn’t you answer her question?”
“I don’t want everyone in my business.”
“So, you agree? We do have unfinished business.”
I rolled my eyes and headed to the kitchen with the flowers and the box.
“I have half a mind to toss these damn flowers.” I huffed, blowing my cheeks out as I stood at the trash can.
“Why?”
I jumped when I realized that he had followed me. Tingles went down my spine, and my thighs clenched tightly together.
“Because I told you that I’m not interested, and you’re being annoying.”
“So, you’re going to throw my flowers away, but I bet you’re going to eat that food, though, right?”
I sighed. “Hey, a girl’s got to eat. Besides, I was already starving and didn’t feel like cooking.”
“Sure. How about you put those flowers in a vase and let me plate our food,” he stated, stepping away from me. I turned to see him rolling up his sleeves and washing his hands in my sink.
The brother was bold, but something about that turned me on rather than annoyed me. He was a take charge, confident man, and that told me he wasn’t a coward. Cowards lied and cheated; ask Clayton Settles.
I went into the pantry to find a vase for the flowers before I returned to the sink to get water for them. I was surprised when I found a purple linen envelope inside that was larger than just a note card. After I put the flowers away, I washed my hands and grabbed glasses and two cans of soda. He was already in the living room, waiting for me.
“Tell me what’s that look about,” he demanded the minute I stepped into the living room.
“You bought me tickets toLonely Hearts.” I groaned.
“The theatrical presentation you’ve been wanting to see for a while, right?”
“How did you know?”
“I pay attention.”
“I don’t want to go with you.”
“Who else will you go with?”
“Damaris. My sister or cousin. Anyone but you.”
“Tell me something, Delaney. We had a wonderful date once you let your guard down. You laughed, you shared things about yourself, including the fact that you love theatricals and wanted to see that particular one, and we ended the night on a good note. So what’s the problem?”
I sighed. “I can’t date you, Naijhel. I hate you, and I can’t date someone I hate.”
“How can you hate someone you barely know? You haven’t gotten to know me well enough to hate me.”
“I know enough, Naijhel.”
“Do you really hate me, or do you hate the circumstances that we met under?”
“I hate what you represent. I hate what you did to me. I hate the fact that you represented Clayton in our divorce. You were the one who caused him to get that big settlement against me.”
“Delaney, I’m sorry. I wish that I could turn back the hands of time, but the truth is, I can’t any more than you can. It may sound callous to you, but I was doing my job, and I was doing it well. Anytime I’m facing an abuser, I’m going to come out with my gloves swinging. If all the cards were on the table, we would never have met each other. While I hate what we did to you, I’m glad that we met, Delaney, because you have brought sunshine back into my life. You could be my person.”
“I’m not even looking for a person. I just don’t know what your ulterior motive is. Why are you pursuing me? Why are you sending me these gifts? There has to be something more to it, and I wish that I knew what it was. Is Clayton behind this?”
He set his fork down and turned to stare directly at me. “I have no ulterior motive. I’m pursuing you because I want to getto know you better. These gifts are just my way of expressing that and showing you how worthy you are of a man’s attention, one who will pursue you with everything. As far as Clayton is concerned, I don’t have a damn thing to do with him. I’m no muthafuckin’ puppet, and no one pulls my strings. But if you don’t believe me, I guess you could always pick up the phone and call Clayton and ask him yourself.”
