I can’t explain why I’m comfortable with him speaking for both of us on this matter, but here I am, letting him take the lead.
“Hm. It sounds like our system glitched then. Your only recourse is to either receive a refund and vacate the premises, or stay and fulfill the lease,” the woman says deadpan.
“Oh wow. That doesn’t sound right or fair,” I say.
The woman shrugs, and my blood boils at her nonchalance as she speaks.
“Maybe not, but it’s the reality of this situation. We don’t have any available units, so those are the only two options I can offer you.”
What the entire fuck? This woman lacks professionalism, decorum, empathy, and basic conflict-resolution skills. She must have sucked her way into her position.
“We need to discuss our options and will get back with you,” Alijah interjects, and my face wrinkles as my head swings toward him fast enough to get a kink in my neck.
“What?” I ask as my brain processes his words and the woman’s unapologetic demeanor.
“Alright. We’ll be in touch,” Alijah says as if I didn’t just pose a question to his previous statement. Then he smiles at me before guiding my hesitant body toward the exit.
My body is in a frenzy from the heat that radiates within me from his touch. The overwhelming and unexpected contact has my brain short-circuiting. What in the entire hell is wrong with me? My mind dipped and a fog of sexual tension filled me to the point of delirium as Alijah wordlessly led us out of the manager’s office and then the main office altogether. Air slaps me across the face the second we’re outside, and I rip away from Alijah and stagger into him.
“Who gave you the right? Who—why did you . . .” My words trail off as I desperately fight to regain my right mind and a semblance of control that will let me think rationally.
“Ssh. Let’s go to that little breakfast spot on the corner, and we can discuss this with full bellies. My treat,” Alijah says in a too calm voice that somehow settles the storms brewing within me.
I nod, unable to verbalize my agreement, as I turn and walk toward the location Alijah had just suggested. Twenty minutes and a half of a cup of apple juice have passed, and Alijah and I have yet to discuss our present dilemma. I clear my throat and speak first so we can remove the elephant from the room.
“So, how should this issue be handled?”
Alijah’s intense gaze slams into me, reminding me once again of my attraction to him.
“My bad about catching you off guard last night. I can tell that shit shook you up.”
“Thanks. So how are we gonna proceed?”
“Don’t you want to apologize too?” His bushy brows hike as humor dances within his eyes.
“I have nothing to apologize for.”
A low chuckle falls from his mouth that causes me to clench my thighs together from the thunder that soars to my lower region.
“Wow. That’s crazy. You damn near dislocated my shoulder with that bat, and you’re not sorry?”
“Hell no. You said it yourself. You caught me off guard. You’re lucky I didn’t hit you over the head and keep swinging until the white meat showed,” I say as my shoulders lift and drop nonchalantly.
A boisterous shout of laughter falls from Alijah’s mouth, and it’s contagious, causing me to join in. After a couple of seconds, I shift the conversation back to the topic at hand.
“Seriously. What are we gonna do? I’m new to Kaigood and already love that apartment. I don’t want to uproot my life again so soon.” I swallow down a sob that hits me out of nowhere at the thought of making another change to my reality.
“Okay. Can we at least share this apartment until I get something else lined up? This wasn’t on my relocation bingo card, and I ain’t beat for sleeping in my ride.”
Wow. We have something in common.
At that thought, my mind sings an old-school R&B song by a singer whose life was cut short far too soon. But how can I be sure that sharing space with this stranger won’t be detrimental to my health?
Tuh. You mean detrimental to your pussy. Say what you mean and mean what you say, girl.
“We don’t know each other, and you could be a serial rapist, killer, or anybody. How can I be assured of my safety and your pure motives?”
“You aren’t afraid to use that bat of yours, so keep it near you. Keep locking your door. I’m not a threat to you. But I understand you want safety.”
