Page 116 of The Sweetest Return

Her mouth threatened a smile.

I waited until we were under the awning before adding, “We talked at the hotel bar for a few minutes. That was it.”

“Dre, I really did not ask.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you explaining?”

“Because you care.”

She stopped.

I stopped too.

Her brows lifted. “You are feeling yourself after last night.”

“Last night ain’t the reason.”

Her eyes darkened.

“This morning either.”

“Dre.”

I smiled. “I'm telling you because I have nothing to hide. She seemed sad. We talked. I went upstairs. End of story.”

Imani studied my face. “A sad woman?”

“Yeah.”

“You noticed that.”

“I notice people sometimes.”

“Mmhmm.”

I laughed. “Keep her number.”

That surprised her. “What?”

“Nia’s. Keep it. She seems cool, and that event sounded good.”

The tension left her mouth.

“You’re telling me to stay in contact with a woman you met alone at a bar?”

“I’m telling you I ain’t got shit to hide, and you looked excited about working with her.”

That finally shut her up.

Briefly.

I opened the Escalade’s passenger door. “Besides, you need somewhere worthy of all them diamonds you keep walking around Pittsburgh teasing people with.”

She laughed.

Before she climbed in, I gave myself a second to look at her.