Page 28 of Beacon Grove Chronicles 1: Hassan & Sylvia

My thighs were cemented together and I was sure he could tell my breathing had kicked up.

“We have to go.”

“Nah, we don’t have to but we need to unless you trying to make something happen. I’m doing my best to be a gentleman and shit. Not like it’s hard to do because I got mad respect for you, Sisi. You just fine as shit and I know how that pussy feels so my mind wanders.”

I moved around my desk and walked toward him in the doorway. “You are so nasty.”

He put his hand at the small of my back escorting me out of my office. He muttered as I passed by, “Your fine ass shouldn’t have been around here calling me mister.”

He took my phone from my hand and slid it in his pocket for safe keeping so I didn’t have to worry about carrying it. The walk to the restaurant was quick but I could feel everyone’s eyes on us as we walked through downtown. The brick buildings all had awnings to keep out the heat of the summer. Very little had changed over the years as Beacon Grove expanded. The oldest building was the lighthouse style building that still served as the courthouse for local issues. Even as the town expanded the same style and charm of the original downtown was there reminding every one of the strength of our past.

We hadn’t done much talking but the silence had been comfortable. When I went to open the door Hassan gave me a look so cold I dropped my hand immediately.

“I’m glad you know. Trying to play me and shit. You bet not open a door for anyone when a man is in your presence. Not your doors, not your daddy and not even your son. They need to treat you like a fucking lady or they gonna see me.” He raised his brows like he dared me to challenge his words. I had a lot to say but kept my mouth shut.

“Okay, ’San.”

He gave me a that’s what the fuck I thought look before he ushered me inside. Since we had beat the lunch rush, we could seat ourselves anywhere. Hassan of course decided to sit at the corner booth with his back to the brick wall but where we could see and be seen. I wasn’t sure if he’d done this on purpose but I swear it felt like it.

“Hey, Sylvia. This is new.” Stephanie, the server whose family owned the restaurant, stopped at our table with a broad grin on her face.

Stephanie glanced between me and Hassan with the kind of interest that made me uneasy. Which meant that she’d leave our table and carry the tale of us being together to whomever would listen. That along with whoever had seen us walk in or were here now watching us having lunch meant we would be the talk of the Grove. I sighed and didn’t want to think about the rumors that would start but Hassan looked unbothered.

“It’s food, Steph. We’ll both have water for now.” I tried to shoo her away but Hassan just had to open his fine ass mouth to say something.

“It’s more than food, Steph. You’ll be the first person to know that this is a thing.”

“Oh really?”

He nodded but his eyes never left the menu. Which was purposeful since nothing on it had changed since before we were born. “Yep. And she wants a coke with cherry syrup in it and I’ll have the same.”

It was crazy that he remembered my drink from that long ago and I hated the way it made me feel. “Why are you listening to him, Stephanie?”

“When a man like this puts a claim on you, you don’t block that blessing. Stop being weird, Sylvia.” She gave me wink before smiling big as hell. I knew it was from the joy spreading my business would give her but I couldn’t stop her. She was always a pretty woman and after having four kids and being married for over twenty years she still looked great. Wearing a t-shirt with the words The Dive on it and jean shorts and sneakers she fit right in with her staff.

“Yeah, stop being weird, Sisi.” Hassan was grinning hard as fuck and I swore he was enjoying this far too much. I wanted to throw something at him but there wasn’t shit on the table that wouldn’t do him actual harm. Judging by the way he looked, like he knew what I was thinking, he’d probably catch that shit like a ninja.

“Okay nickname. I’ll be back with your drinks in just a second.” Stephanie snapped her fingers in approval before she sashayed away to get our drinks.

“You know she’s heading back to the phone to call somebody.”

Hassan eased back in the seat and nodded. Which confirmed he’d been planning this. Or at least anticipated this would be the outcome. “Good. I’m not about to let your ass weasel out of dealing with me like you keep trying to.”

“Nobody is trying to weasel—”

“Sneak? Hide? Obfuscate?”

His teasing made me smile and this time I didn’t bother to hide how he affected me. “Will you stop it? I’m being cautious. Let’s not forget your actions are the reason that I’m feeling that way to begin with.”

He seemed to take my words on the chin and waited to speak until after Stephanie sat our drinks down and left.

“I’ll own that. But not all of it. As a man who wants you to depend on him, I can see how my actions that night didn’t convey that. It left room for doubt which isn’t something I ever want when it comes to us. So I’m asking for a new start. Not a clean slate cause I want you to hold me accountable for shit the same way I’ll do with you.”

“I’m sorry for letting my own issues prevent me from reaching out.” I could admit I hadn’t been chasing him down to talk to him and the stress that Dave brought into my life made it easier to write Hassan off than to believe he was genuine.

That smile of his stretched across his face making it clear how much my answer pleased him.

“Look at us talking through our first misunderstanding like adults and shit. It’s only up from here, baby.”