Page 166 of The Sweetest Return

Something in my chest lowered.

“And I need you to understand something too.”

“I’m listening.”

“I can handle attention. I cannot handle being made small.”

“You won't be.”

“I need more than that promise.”

“You'll get more than one.”

I meant it.

She would get the behavior too. The correction when somebody crossed a line. The consistency. Me standing beside her without letting anybody turn Imani Bennett into an accessory to Andre Jones.

“You still at work?”

“Yes.”

“What time you leaving?”

“I don't know. Soon.”

“Make it now.”

A pause.

“What?”

“Pack up. Be downstairs in ten.”

“Dre.”

“I’m coming to get you.”

“You're coming here?”

“Yeah.”

“Right now?”

“Unless you tell me not to.”

She grew quiet.

I stood with my keys in my hand before I even knew whether she would say yes.

“I do not want you showing up at my job making a scene.”

“I’m not coming upstairs. I'm not asking for you in the lobby. Your coworkers don't need our business.”

“What are you doing?”

“Driving to you. Taking you to my place.”

Another pause.