Chapter ten- Eshe
“You’re the only man on my roster,” Isaid, sipping my wine. “Temporarily.”
“That sounds like a challenge,” Westreplied, leaning in.
Hehadthese warm brown eyes Iliked. Clean-cut and collegiate, mixed-race, with dark brown curls, a sharp jaw, and dimples deep enough to make my panties raise an eyebrow.
Hesmelledlike five-figure cologne, and I’dbethe could fuck. And Ineededa little stress relief.
Wewere seatedon the rooftop of a cute little bistro off Franklin—soft music, warm breeze, string lights dancing above us like theyapprovedof this vibe.
Iwasactually having fun. The foodwasgood.
I’dmetWest at work a few months ago. Iwasa clerk for the Pinellas County District Attorney’s office, and hewasa lawyer from Pasco County who’dhada case in my city.
Hesawme sitting in the cafeteria on his way out,backtracked, andaskedme out. Isaidno.
Hewaspersistent. Tall, body like a track star—itwashard to keep denying him. Plus, the best way to get over one manwasto get under another. At least that’s what Storm, a girl Iused to workwith,toldme. Sheditchedher headache andfoundthe love of her life. ShesaidIhadto be open.
I was giving it a try.
The waitressdroppedoff the dessert menu, interrupting us. Iglanceddown at the options just as a voice Iknewentirely too wellslicedthrough the air andruinedmy fucking night on the spot.
“Eshe?”
I looked up, and my stomach dropped.
Sinica.
Of course.
Standing less than ten feet from my table in a flowy cream jumpsuit with a fake Barbie smile, her skin still bronzed from her honeymoon in St. Lucia.
And right next to her?
Donte. In a suit, haircut fresh, smelling good. My heartkickedinto overdrive.
His liptwitched, jawclenchedso tight itlookedlike smoke might actually start pouring out of his nose. His fistsballedat his sides before heforceda stiff nod in West’s direction.
“Hi,” Sinicasaid. “We just got back in town and decided to grab something to eat. Small world, huh?”
“Yeah,” I said flatly. “Real small.”
Donte didn’t say a word. Just stared at me like I stole his last breath.
Iwavedthem off before this shitturnedinto a scene. “You two enjoy your meal,” Isaid, dismissing them like a fly off my plate.
Sinica hesitated, like she wanted to linger. I gave her a look that said don’t try me , and she finally linked arms with her little husband and disappeared into the dining area.
Westglancedat me sideways. “Damn. That was... tense.”
I forced a smile and picked up my water glass, trying to keep my hands from shaking. I knew Donte was going to show his whole ass the next time he saw me.
“Long story,” Isaidcoolly. “I’ll tell you over drinks. Or not. It might just be easier to call it a night—unless you want to come to my place?” Ibitmy bottom lip.
Hesmiled. “I’d like that. But let me hit the restroom real quick, okay?”
“Sure,” I nodded. West was what I needed. Something new.
A clean slate.
When he came back, his jaw was tight, the twinkle in his eye replaced by something hard and angry.
“Hey,” Isaidslowly, eyes narrowing. “You good?”
Hesat,letout a breath, andrubbedthe back of his neck. “Look, Eshe... I think you’re great. Really. But uh…”
Here we go.
“…That guy from earlier? He cornered me in the bathroom. Said some wild shit. Threatened me. Told me to stay away from you.”
He waited for me to say something. Anything. But I froze. Who does that? Confronts another man—with his wife right there?
“I don’t want any problems. I’m new here, just got this job. I’m trying to get settled. I can’t afford drama. Maybe we should just... be friends.”
Be friends?
I blinked. Heat rose up my neck and exploded in my chest like wildfire.
Heplacedthree bills on the table andwalkedaway before I could even fake a reply.
I sat there alone, hands trembling, heart banging against my ribs like it was trying to punch its way out. Not because I was hurt.
Because I was furious.
This man—this motherfucker. Donte’s asswasn’tgoing to let me have any peace until I finallygotfed up anddidsomething reckless.
“I’m gonna kill him.”
And this time, I didn’t mean metaphorically.