“Obviously,” Evie interrupts with what I guess she would call a whisper.
“He said he’s gonna auction off a meet-and-greet with the Ravens and Ri is gonna auction off a custom-made dress, though.”
Janelle chews on the inside of her cheek while Rome rolls his eyes.
I’m not surprised Arnold and Amerie didn’t show their faces tonight. Things between Amerie and the girls are, at their worst, nonexistent, and at best, rocky. Plus, Micah told me that things got heated between the guys and Arnold in the last Baltimore Collective meeting earlier this week. Apparently, Arnold brought up the idea of selling one of his buildings to someone whose business practices directly go against what the Baltimore Collective stands for.
Rome let him have it for that one and they hadn’t heard from him since.
I’m not willing to spend any time worrying about the two of them right now, though, so I end the meeting. Christian leaves, but everyone else stays for another drink before heading out.
Micah catches my eyes and winks at me as he goes.
Hours later, my phone ringing shocks me out of my sleep.
“Do you even know what time it is?” I ask once the audio call connects.
“Yeah, it’s eleven o’clock. What are you, ninety-two?” Micah mocks.
Feels like it some days. “Sir, I am a child of the Lord and I’m in the bed rubbin’ my feet together. Is that a problem?”
“What if I was calling to get some ass?”
I sit up in bed. “Get some ass? Who even says that?”
He laughs. “I thought it might resonate with your ninety-two-year-old spirit.”
I force out an exaggerated yawn. “Boohoo. What are you calling Granny for?” If this really were a booty call, he wouldn’t have called.
“Come take a ride with me.” Seconds later, there’s a knock on my door.
Well, shit. I consider pulling the covers over my head and ignoring him but dismiss the thought as quickly as it comes.
I drag my feet over to the door and yank it open. He’s leaning against my doorway, looking like he’s up to no good. He adjusts the skully on his head as he takes me in.
“Take a ride with you? Are you a teenager?”
“Don’t get excited, cougar. My virtue is still intact.”
I snort. “Ha, now that’s a lie.” That virtue was left behind in a cabin in Colorado. I look down at my sleep shorts and thin shirt. “Let me go change.”
We’ve been driving around for thirty minutes. No destination in mind, windows down so the cool air kisses our skin, and Victoria Monét serving as our soundtrack.
I let my eyes fall shut and stick my arm out the window to let it fly with the wind.
“I like seeing you like this.” His voice is quiet at first; it almost blends in with the sounds of the night.
My eyes pop open. “Like what?”
“Relaxed.”
“You tryna say I’m high-strung?” I joke.
He glances over, making me roar with laughter.
“Damn. You never miss an opportunity to get on my fucking neck, huh?”
“It’s not a bad thing.”
