“Um, no.”
“Do you want to?”
With a shrug, I smiled. “It’s on my bucket list.”
He gave me that wicked smile. “Good. I wanna show you something.” I nodded and walked to the driver’s side of the car.Wicked opened it, and I got inside. I started the car while he did something on his phone. He lowered it toward my face, showing me a black motorcycle with blue that was almost the same shade of my car. I loved that it was a BMW, but I had no idea what he was showing me for.
“You like it?” he asked, putting his phone back in his pocket.
“Yeah, it’s cute.”
He chuckled. “Aight, bet. I’ma buy it for you.”
“What? Wicked, I don’t know how to ride a motorcycle. I thought you meant like sitting behind you on one.”
He laughed again. “I am, and you will, but I want you to have your own too . . . if you want to learn how to ride.”
“Hmm. Is it hard to learn?”
His mouth twisted to the side as he considered my question. “It might be a little difficult for you at first, I won’t lie, but once you get the balance and coordination of it out of the way, it’s pretty easy. I won’t let you ride alone until you’re ready. You’re safe with me always, in all ways.”
I thought about it for a while before smiling and nodding. “Okay, then yes, but don’t buy it yet. At least take me on a date first before you start investing money in me.”
Lowering himself with a smile, Wicked gave me a sweet yet tender kiss on my cheek. “All gas, bae. No brakes. Let’s go.”
Without waiting for me to respond, Wicked closed the door and sauntered over to his red and black bike. It was sexy and fit him, no surprise there. I waited until he’d started it and put his helmet on to pull out of my parking space. As he said he would, Wicked followed me home. I was a little bummed when he didn’t stay, but I was glad he respected my space. This man was driving me crazy already, and he hadn’t even been back in my life for a full week.
After making sure Jelai made it home safely, I stopped by the shop to see how things were coming along. It was crazy walking into my own business, a business I started while I was in prison, and see it flourishing. I knew it was doing well based on the bank statements my folks would share with me, but seeing so many cars being serviced or waiting to be serviced filled me with pride.
One of the first things I did when I got out was link up with the surrounding businesses so we could cross promote and advertise. The car wash and detail shop next door had already joined me. We were offering our customers a bundled deal for detailing and tune ups, and just that promotion alone had doubled our business. If things kept up like this, I’d be able to use the profit from the first shop to buy my second.
I busied myself with paperwork and thinking of some ideas for social media promotion for a couple of hours before getting ready to leave. My plan was to stop by the clubhouse before heading home since Mama wanted her kids there for dinner.
As I made my way out, I said my goodbyes to the crew so they’d know I was gone, and Mesha was the only one keeping me from making a quick exit. I released my annoyance through a long exhale. She’d made her attraction to me clear the first time I came and introduced myself. Though she didn’t straight up tell me she wanted me, it was clear by her actions that she did.
“Hey, boss. You got a minute?” she asked, gripping my arm, and I instantly pulled away.
“Actually, no. Did you put the company party on the calendar like I asked?” I checked, continuing toward the door.
“Yes. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
That made me stop walking and look at her. Truthfully, Mesha was attractive, but I wasn’t interested in her or any other woman that wasn’t Jelai. The women I talked to while I was locked down weren’t worth shit but meaningless conversation and a quick nut. There was really no effort on my part with them, and I was saving all my energy and effort for Jelai. Women were throwing themselves at me left and right since I’d gotten out. If only she knew how dedicated to her I was already.
“Wassup, Mesha?”
“I was wondering if you’d be my date for the party. I know you said it would be something small just so we could kick it with you and get to know you a little better but?—”
“No,” I declined.
“No?” she repeated, face scrunching up and displaying her brewing attitude.
“Ain’t that what I said?” I asked with my own frown.
“Why not?”
Chuckling, I shook my head and continued to walk with her trailing behind. “I gotta have a reason to not want you? Times have really changed.”
“Wow. That was rude.”
