Page 44 of My Heart Belongs to You

“I really don’t have a problem with you, Alexa. I want us to at least be cordial, for Nadir’s sake.”

“Whatever, Robyn.” Alexa rolled her eyes and walked away.

The next day Nadir told me they’d gotten into a heated argument which led to them breaking up. I already knew what it was about, so I didn’t bother pressing for details. I could’ve told him my side of our spat in the parking lot, but that wouldn’t have helped anything. The whole situation was super immature and didn’t deserve any more energy.

Nadir pulled me into his side, snapping me from my thoughts. The gesture was so natural that it almost made me forget what had just happened. He stared down at me with one eyebrow raised. I looked away, unable to withstand his heated gaze.

“This the band Q came to see,” Adrienne said, grabbing both of our attention.

We moved closer to the stage, bobbing our heads to the alt-soul band currently performing. Nadir stood behind me, so close that I could feel his body heat on my back. I closed the little space between us and sighed.

“Goldie, get out of your feelings,” he said into my ear.

“I’m not in my feelings.”

“Why aren’t you dancing with me then?”

It was then that I realized the band was playing a cover of Sade’s “Sweetest Taboo,” and everyone was moving to the music. The crowd swayed and some couples slow danced. Nadir’s hand rested on my stomach as we did a slow sway to the song. I placed my hand over his, inhaling deeply when he hummed. The sound of him hit me right between my legs. I hated how much I enjoyed being in his arms, the comforting smell of his cologne, the soft caress of his nose against my ear. This was the part of being in a relationship that I’d missed, affection. Before I got too caught up in this feeling, the song ended and so did our dance.

“Hey, sweetie. Welcome to My Place.”

I smiled at the hostess then shared the details of my reservation. She checked their reservation binder for my name, then waved for me to follow her. I loved My Place. It was a southern-inspired brunch restaurant with some of the best food I’d ever tasted and it had character. The recipes used were the owner's great grandmother’s. This wasn’t your typical chicken and waffle spot. Every dish on the menu—I’d tried everything —was delicious and made with love.Their staff wore white-collared shirts with either a vest or apron in the nicest emerald color. The bar was the centerpiece of the restaurant in the pit. High top tables surrounded the bar and on the upper level was a mix of booths and tables. Dark walls were illuminated by gold lights and oldies music played softly.

Shortly after being seated, the waitress came over and introduced herself. “What can I get you? Or do you want to wait for the other member of your party?”

I shook my head. “I’ll take a sweet tea, a half and half with more tea than lemonade, and an order of the honey old bay wings.”

Without another word, the waitress left. The longer I waited for Nadir, the tighter my stomach twisted. The playlist he made me had been in rotation nonstop. Each song raised a question and unearthed feelings I wasn't ready to address. Nadir was my best friend. If he wanted something romantic between us, I’d risk ruining us. I was in no position to be in a serious relationship. It took some time, but I was finally in my selfish era. And I wasn’t entirely ready to let that go.

“My apologies, G,” Nadir said, pulling me into a side hug. “Delivery came later than expected today and I got caught up in this budget for an upcoming meeting.”

“You’re fine. I wasn’t waiting long.”

I watched him remove his hoodie then sit across from me. Underneath his olive hoodie was a white T-shirt he paired with a pair of jeans and sneakers. He’d gotten a retwist styled into three-strand twists. My heart fluttered when I met his stare.

“I haven’t seen you since you got your retwist. Looks good,” I said with warm cheeks.

“’Preciate it.” His smile was so cute.

Exhaling, I pushed away the salacious thoughts in my mind.

“Did you order drinks already?” he asked while looking over the menu.

“I did. And I asked for more tea than lemonade, how you like it.”

Nadir smiled. “You treat me so well.”

“Just reciprocating how well you treat me.”

He placed the menu down and leaned in. “Robyn, are you flirting with me?”

Butterflies filled my belly as I met him at the center of the table. The glimmer of amusement in his eyes made tsunami-level heat wash over me.

“No.” I fought back a smile.

“Right.”

“What meeting are you preparing for?”