Page 26 of Finessed By A Hood White Boy

“I’m glad you were able to fit the dress. The necklace looks good on you too.” I toyed with the diamond chain around her neck.

“I appreciate it.” she smiled. “You know I can’t keep this necklace, right? As soon as we’re finished here, I'll give it back.”

“I don’t want it back. It was a gift, Ava. I wanted you to have it.” I frowned.

“Again, I appreciate it. But I can’t keep this necklace.”

There was no need to go back and forth because I meant exactly what I said. I made sure I looked her dead in the eyes and repeated myself one more time, slowly.

“It was a gift, so you’re going to keep it. Understood?”

She was quiet for a few seconds while holding eye contact.

“Yes, sir.” She nodded.

See, there she goes again. A smirk graced my lips but I decided not to speak on her response. She shyly looked away from me, I could tell she was trying to suppress her smile. I partially understood why she was on the fence about accepting anything from me. But shit, I wasn’t trying to hear any of that. Besides, she deserved it.

“Come on,” I offered her my arm.

She looked down at it before raising an eyebrow.

“You’re being a little too fresh, don’t you think? It wouldn’t be a good look for me to walk around clinging to my boss's arm as if I’m his date.”

She had a good point but I could care the least about what muthafuckas had to say. We were both grown and free to do whatever the hell we wanted to do. Instead of speaking my mind, I remained respectful and agreed. There wasn’t much time left before the auction started and she wanted to take a quick glance at all the paintings on display. While everyone else seemed to be obsessed with networking, she actually took interest in the artwork. We were standing in front of one painting and she just stared at it for about two minutes.

“What do you see?” She finally spoke.

“What do you mean?” I raised an eyebrow.

She reached over to gently grab my face, then directed my focus to the painting in front of us.

“What story do you think the artist was trying to tell?”

I stared at the canvas.

“Shit, I have absolutely no idea.”

She giggled lightly.

“Try.”

“Fine.” I sighed dramatically, studying the painting again.

I stood quiet for a moment, as I actually took in what I was examining. The dark colors gave chaos and there was a big ass red streak running through the center.

“I don’t know exactly what they were trying to tell, but this shit looks like it was made out of anger.” I pointed to the red streak.

I could see her smiling from my peripheral vision.

“Okay, is that all?” She questioned.

I continued to stare.

“I mean, the way they have the other colors intertwined; it feels sad and lonely too.”

“Oh my god!” her smile widened.

She quickly covered her mouth because she was a little too loud.