Page 44 of Just Like Summer

She bobbed her head. “Hearing it like that? Knowing it’s going make it out into the world.”

Cairo scratched his chin through his beard and smiled. “Like I’m flying. In a place that’s supposed to keep me in a cage.”

“I think you’re a real big fish and this pond isn’t big enough for you,” she replied.

“I feel like there’s a but coming…”

“Why would I have a but coming, Cai?”

“Because you look like my biggest fan right now. But you’re honest, so you won’t let the hype be louder than the growth.”

“Shoot higher.”

Cairo approached the stop sign and peered at her. “How high?”

“Shoot for the stars and hit the moon while you at it,” Kamilla spoke one of KP’s lines. “Lock in, stack up a few beats. There’s got to be a club with some artist looking for the authentic L.O. sound.”

“I like the way your mind works. How the fuck you that pretty and so is your mind?” he mused.

“No friends lends to daydreaming and whole lot of books,” Kamilla stated with a giggle. “Your mind is beautiful, too.”

“Aw, look at you blushing,” he teased, pulling off and playfully pinching her cheek. “I might have someone I can call. Might help I didn’t rob that nigga.”

Kamilla laughed as she shook her head. “Yeah, might’ve helped.”

Cairo picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. “Thanks.”

“For?”

“Being the light for a nigga. This shit makes me feel like I’m not alone no more, on Azul.”

Leaning over, she kissed his cheek. “Same.”

“K.”

“Hm.”

Cairo gently tugged the hairs of his beard. “You wanna be my girlfriend?”

“You want me to check a box?” she teased.

“If I did, what box you checking?” Cairo mused.

Kamilla nipped her lip, waiting to answer as he pulled to back up to the house. “Maybe, and then I’m writing a note.”

“What’s the note say?”

“Ask me again when the high wears off,” she started, as his phone started buzzing. Kissing his cheek, she pulled away, retrieving her key from her bag. “And after you handle that.”

Cairo lowly groaned. “Lock up. I’ll be back.”

“Confident I’ll be knocked out by the time you get back. Be safe? I just started liking you, I’d hate to have to start over,” she teased, reaching for the door only to be pulled back by her shirt.

Cairo kissed her, deeply and released her. “Don’t touch that door.”

sixteen

“You seem cool,” Nate commented, peering over at Cairo who leaned on the hood of his car.