Page 18 of Just Like Summer

“I got you, take a seat,” he directed with a nod thrown toward the booths.

Kamilla remembered the quick lesson from the night before. Somewhere he could see everything. She slid in and continued looking at the walls. So many celebrities and notable community figures had grace this small donut shop. The fact that her father was photographed in a nearby booth solidified that attending OSU was the right decision.

Moments later, Cairo joined her in the booth with two donuts and a hot coffee for her.

“I know you said one, but it’s KP month and he makes a mariposa donut and latte. Figured you’d like it,” Cairo shared, taking her in as she took in the photos. He found himself in a trance every time he looked at her not because she was green and innocent but because she held something she didn’t even know was there. An energy that made a nigga like him stop and stay in the moment.

A dimple pierced her cheek, an offering for her and a reward for him. “That was thoughtful.”

Cairo shrugged as if it were nothing. “I be thinking.”

She chuckled softly. “You think music is going to put you on these walls?”

His nod was slow, his eyes watching her take a bite of the lavender doughnut dough decorated with white chocolate glaze and drizzled with blackberry syrup. Kamilla’s eyes closed after the first bite and she hummed.

“It’s good?” he asked, locking that sight of pleasure in.

“Yeah, that’s really good actually. Anyway, answer my question,” she muttered with a mouthful.

Cairo chuckled, took a bite from his array of doughnuts, and obliged her request. “Yeah.”

“That yeah didn’t sound too confident,” she muttered.

“Nah?” Cairo mused.

Kamilla swayed her head. “I’ve been kidnapped two days now and you just seem a little bit more confident than that. Let me find out you’re shy.”

He waved her off. “Girl, stop playing with me.”

“I’m just saying. You said you want it to get you out of here,” she added.

Cairo leaned back and studied her. “What you asking me all these questions for?”

Kamilla frowned. “I-”

“What I meant was you typically aren’t this talkative. You play difficult and run away. What’s going on?”

“Nothing is going on. I just-”

He swayed his head. “Nahhh, Kamilla. You want me to keep it real with you, you got to keep it real with me.” Cairo leaned up, holding eye contact with her. “Talk to me.”

Kamilla nipped the inside of her lip and sighed. “There’s a lot that’s happened in the past two weeks and I just want to distract myself from it all.”

“You don’t have to distract yourself. Tell me, I’m not a gossiping ass nigga.”

“Eh,” she groaned. “Maybe later. It’s too heavy for the first thing in the morning and I have to go to work and deal with your girlfriend.”

Cairo’s face twisted. “Never was and never will be.”

“But there was someone. Anyone I should be looking for my shoulder for? I heard these L.O. girls don’t play about their men and I can’t fight so…” Kamilla replied, earning a chuckle.

“I’m free and clear. Wouldn’t ever put you in that type of position. Any nigga that does ain’t a nigga you should be offering time to.”

“Noted.”

“Good, eat up so I can get you to work on time.”

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