“That’s six hours,” I pointed out. “On a good day with no traffic.”
“Exactly.” He exhaled loudly. “This isn’t how I thought this conversation was going to go.”
“What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking your aunt was going to call you and tell you to call me. You were going to be at home, reading or running through football schemes.”
I laughed as he kept going.
“And I was going to ask if you had plans this weekend because I wanted to see you—Iwantto see you.”
“And I want to be seen.” I hesitated. “By you, if I didn’t make it clear.”
He chuckled lightly. “This is what I’m talking about. This is why I like you. You’re funny and different and… not boring at all. I was hoping to spend some time with you.”
“To do what exactly?”
There was a pause. “Anything you want.”
I inhaled sharply, squeezing my thighs together.
The sexy tone of his voice as he said it was intoxicating. I closed my eyes and let it replay in my mind two more times before I spoke.
“Anything?” I replied.
“Come on, Jazmyn, you know that you can get anything you want from me.”
When he’d said it a couple of weeks ago, it had sounded friendly. When he’d said it just now, it had sounded like a sexual invitation.
“Lamar,” I sighed, shaking my head. “Don’t you try to seduce me.”
He chuckled lightly. “I should be saying that to you! You gave me a taste, and now you’re gone for the summer.”
His words sent shock waves through my entire body.
“I’m exactly where you left me,” I said softly.
He made a noise, and I couldn’t take it. I had to change the subject.
“I saw your mom today,” I blurted out.
I knew I’d killed the vibe from his silence followed by the way he stammered.
“Y-yeah, um, yeah, she told me,” he sputtered.
“She suggested Hot Comb, but she didn’t tell me she works there. My aunt wanted to get her hair dyed, I looked up the place and the reviews were amazing.”
“She co-owns it with her business partner.”
“Oh, that’s cool.”
We talked for most of the night about his trip, my time with Aunt Addy, and our reviews of each other’s book. The conversation was fun and flirtatious but never teetered on sexual again. We laughed a lot, and when we finally said good night, I had a smile on my face.
When I woke up, I was home alone with a text from my aunt.
Addison Payne:I took an earlier doctor’s appointment, and I didn’t want to wake you. Let me know if you need anything. Be back by ten o’clock.
I showered and dressed for a chill day of games, movies, and conversation. I was just finishing my breakfast when I heard the front door open.
