Page 12 of The Plus One

“Didn’t say you were. I just wanted to make sure you knew I had you.”

“You grabbed me like I was falling.”

“Would you rather I let you hit the concrete?”

She looked down at the ground, then at me. “No.”

“Then shut up.”

“Stop telling me to shut up.”

“Stop giving me reasons.”

She tried pulling away, but I tightened my arm. “Woman.”

“I can walk.”

“I see that.”

“You’re so annoying.”

“And you drunk.”

“Not drunk, tipsy maybe.”

“Whatever helps you sleep tonight.”

“I’m about to sleep good as fuck.”

My eyes dropped to her. Don’t do it, Ace. I reminded myself. I opened the passenger door to my truck and helped her inside. She settled into the seat before looking down at the running board.

“Why is your truck so damn high?”

“Why you so damn short?”

“I’m five-seven.”

“Exactly, short.”

“That is tall for a woman.”

“Still shorter than me.”

“Everybody's shorter than your big ass.”

I laughed and closed the door. By the time I walked around the truck, she had already reclined my passenger seat. “Make yourself comfortable.”

“I am.”

“I see.”

I started the engine, and Kema kicked her shoes off. “You just getting all the way comfortable, huh?”

“My feet hurt.”

“You been sitting down for the last three hours.”

“Being pretty is exhausting.”