“That’s my team.”
When he turned his head toward me, his dark brown eyes bored into mine. The intensity caught me off guard.
“Nice,” I breathed.
2
“Here you are,” Trina said, causing us to tear our eyes from each other. She set his brown liquor down on a white napkin. “And your food should be out shortly.”
I continued eating but focused my attention on the game. Several hard-hitting plays resulted in a third-down interception. The first time the quarterback for the Wasps dropped back with the ball, the Monarchs sacked him. It would’ve resulted in a thirteen-yard loss, but a late yellow flag came out.
“What?!” I exclaimed, almost choking on my fry.
“Bullshit,” he reacted at the same time.
The man and I looked at each other.
“That was…” I was distracted when he lifted the lid of his hat.
I could see his face clearly. He was strikingly handsome with his flawless mahogany complexion, impeccably manicured beard, and full, thick lips. His thick eyebrows framed beautiful brown eyes. It was almost jarring how attractive he was.
I cleared my throat. “That wasnotroughing the passer,” I continued. “That was a bullshit call.”
He let out a short chuckle and shook his head.
I glanced at the TV screen again before giving him a look. “What’s so funny? Itisa bullshit call!”
A small smile pulled at his lips before he flashed the brightest, whitest teeth. “You said it likeImade the call. Like, damn, I agree with you! You don’t have to yell at me!”
His smile was infectious, so I felt myself grinning as I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t yell at you.”
“You know the outcome of this game, right? I don’t want you to be surprised and act like them.” He gestured with his head to the few rowdy basketball fans who were across the bar, still reeling from the earlier loss. “They might put you out next.”
My jaw dropped when I saw a security guard ushering a group of people out the front door. “It’s never that serious.”
“They must’ve had money on the game because ain’t no way they’re acting like that for no reason.”
“I thought the same thing! The stench of lost wages was in the air.”
A deep, rumbling laugh erupted from him. It was the kind of laugh that spread warmth to everyone in its radius. It warmed me in areas where I hadn’t felt heat in a long time.
“I’m Lamar,” he introduced himself. “Lamar Anderson.”
“Jazmyn Payne—friends call meJazz.”
Before he had a chance to say anything else, Trina slid his food in front of him.
“Thank you,” he told her. “This looks good.”
“It is good,” I replied.
Lamar picked up his burger and took a huge bite. Nodding, he confirmed my words with a series of appreciative grunts. After he swallowed that bite, he looked at me and pointed to his plate. “This shit right here!”
“Okay!”
“I was going to get wings. If I didn’t come sit next to you and see what you had, I would’ve missed out.”
“I guess it was meant to be.”
