Chapter Seven #2
“Just cool?” Nivéa repeated, lightly bouncing Nyla when she began to fuss.
“Bitch, that man has you changing outfits multiple times. You even washed and flat-ironed your hair after a long day at work and we both know you don’t even play them kind of games.”
Caresha rolled her eyes. “Hush and mind your business.”
“Nope, not when you’re always in mine, asking a thousand questions. Oh, now your loud ass wants to be quiet when it’s your turn.”
Tuning her out, Caresha grabbed her new perfume from the dresser and sprayed herself down…another gift from Nivéa.
“And you’re putting on your good shit, too?!”
“Niv, shut up. Damn.”
They shared another laugh, but after a moment, Nivéa pressed on, refusing to let it go.
“You’re nervous, huh?”
Caresha glanced at Nivéa through the mirror, letting out a soft sigh. “Yep,”
“I can tell. So, what you think this is leading to? Are you taking this seriously, or just having fun?”
“I don’t know yet.”
Caresha wasn’t the kind of woman to tie herself down; it just wasn’t her style those days.
While Nivéa acted on love and emotions, Caresha valued her freedom and sanity.
She had consciously avoided real relationships over the past few years, wary of the mistakes and heartbreak they could bring.
Her focus was on living her best, worry-free life.
If anything stressed her out, it would come from her own choices, not a man. She swore by that.
Her perspective was shaped by witnessing her mother endure hardships with her father before ultimately divorcing him.
Caresha loved her father and considered him a great dad when he was alive, but a poor husband.
All she remembered was seeing her mama cry, which taught her early on that she never wanted to live that way.
Then there were her teenage years and early twenties…
she had dealt with multiple misunderstandings and disappointments from niggas.
Not to mention how she watched her best friend constantly get hurt by her first love, Boe.
All of that was enough to make Caresha say hell no to relationships and just have fun.
A guy could take her out, spend money on her, text and call here and there, but that was as far as she wanted to go.
“Well, I like how Danger is moving. Those Knight men know how to treat a woman. I think he’ll be different for you.” Nivéa said.
Caresha set the perfume bottle down. “Yeah, maybe so.”
Nivéa smiled knowingly. “And that scares you a little bit.”
“Girl, if you don’t quit analyzing me.”
“I’m serious. You actually like him.”
“Maybe.”
“Ain’t no maybe. You’re getting dressed like this for him.”
Caresha glanced down at herself and smacked her lips. “I always look good.”
“You’re right, but this is intentional. Did you remember to get that coochie waxed like I told you? Who knows what the night may bring.”
“Bitch, please. Stop always clockin’ my cat. Ain’t nobody worried ‘bout fuckin’ but you.”
“Shut yo’ ass up.” Nivéa laughed, tossing a pillow at her.
Caresha laughed too, grabbing her purse as Nyla let out a tiny squeak in Nivéa’s arms. “TT look pretty?” She cooed, walking over to the baby. “Tell your mama to stop being in my business.”
Nivéa laughed as Nyla stared up at Caresha with wide eyes. “Tell her butt she’s in your business because she cares.” She kissed Nyla on the cheek.
“I know you do.” Caresha lifted her phone when it lit up, smiling at the message on the screen. “Come on, let me help you walk out. He’s outside.”
“Yes, ma’am, sister-in-law.” Nivéa replied sarcastically as she stood and gathered Nyla's things.
They shared another laugh as they headed out. Once outside, Danger hopped out of his car, spoke briefly, and helped her load Nyla into her car.
Nivéa couldn’t get into her G-Wagon fast enough before calling Crown. She pulled away, blushing as the phone rang. She couldn’t wait to share that Caresha and Danger were going on a date and how cute they looked together.
∞∞∞
A few hours later, after a movie and good food with drinks at a nice restaurant, Danger brought Caresha to the clubhouse with him.
Everyone recognized her as Nivéa’s best friend and stood to greet her with warm hugs.
They had come to see both women as family, thanks to their president, and that bond would remain, regardless of whether things got serious between her and Danger.
After speaking and slapping hands with everyone, Danger led Caresha upstairs to the rooftop, where it was quieter. The city lights twinkled beautifully around them as a warm night breeze brushed against her rich skin.
“I ain’t gon’ lie.” She admitted, glancing around. “I’m having a really good time tonight. I loved the movie and restaurant you picked.”
Danger leaned back in one of the lounge chairs, sipping his drink. “Me too. I wanna do this again, Ree.”
Caresha smiled as conversation flowed easily between them. They talked about everything…music, relationships, their childhoods, and her work drama. Nothing felt forced.
“So, what’s the timeframe the doctor gave you on your leg healing?” Caresha asked, keeping the conversation going as she sipped on her drink.
“Damn, my walk that fucked up that it’s bothering you?”
She laughed, realizing her question was random. “No, of course not. I’m just curious and genuinely concerned. I noticed you rubbing it when you sat down.”
“He said three to six months before it feels close to normal again.”
“Okay, that’s not bad. You’re lucky. It could’ve been worse.”
“Yeah, but I’m not tripping. It is what it is. As long as I can ride, I’m good.” Danger turned his attention to the thunder rumbling in the distance. “Shit, that rain's finally about to come down.”
“Yeah, and we’re some damn fools still sitting up here.”
He threw his arm around her. “We good. I won’t let nothin’ happen to you.”
“Mm-hmm, right. That lightning will come through and fry both of our asses. Your gun can’t get us out of that one.”
They shared another laugh as he took in her hair. “Your hair looks good. You did it, right?”
“Yep. Thank you.”
Danger nodded, looking her up and down. “Yeah…you got real pretty for me tonight.”
“I got pretty for myself.” Caresha sassed back.
“That may be true, but you got pretty for me, too.”
They shared a moment of silence as Danger caught her eyeing his hair. It was clear she wanted to ask about it but was too shy for some reason.
“You know how to do locs?” He asked.
“Yes, I do.”
“Aight, I want you to do mine.”
“Who normally does them?”
“A chick in the Heights. Why?”
“Just asking.”
Danger ran a hand over the top of his head. “But like I said, I want you to do them. I’m gon’ come holla at you before the reception to get me right, so make time in your schedule for me, aight?”
“I can do that.”
“You wanna do that.” Danger smirked.
“Maybe.”
“Nah, ain’t no maybe, ma. You want to, and that’s cool ‘cause I want you to do it.”
Blushing, Caresha nodded, feeling exposed as he read her like a book.
She had wanted to offer to do his hair since their last hangout, not because it looked bad, but because she craved the quality time it would bring.
And if she was truly honest, she didn’t want another girl to touch it now that she was in his life.
What the fuck Reesh? This nigga got you slippin’. She thought.
“How your tux fitting went earlier?” She asked after a while.
“Cool. Everything fit right.”
“That’s good.”
“What color you pick for your dress?”
“Mauve. That damn Niv wasn’t going for anything else.”
“That’s gon’ look real good on you.”
Caresha twisted her lips. “Nigga, now how you know that? What mauve look like?”
Danger sat there with a mischievous grin on his face, and they both laughed in unison, knowing he was full of shit. He had no fucking clue what mauve looked like, but what he did know was that she would look good in a dress. And that’s all that mattered to him.
“I ain’t gotta know what the color look like to know you look good in anything clinging to that body.”
“Mm-hmm, it’s a pinkish color. But why you asking about the color?”
“Cause I’m anxious. I can’t wait to see you in it.” He admitted.
“Pick me up then. We can ride together since you’re so anxious to see me in it.” Caresha messed with him, not thinking much of it.
But, to both of their surprise, Danger was all for it. He didn’t hesitate to reply,
“Bet.”
Caresha smiled to herself as they sat quietly, letting the liquor settle in. Danger stared out across the city, his expression eventually growing distant without him realizing it.
Caresha noticed. “You okay?” she asked softly, rubbing his back.
Danger glanced over at her but didn’t answer.
“You kind of do that sometimes. Go quiet out of nowhere. But I get it. Grief has a way of sneaking up on you. One minute you’re cool, the next your chest feels heavy all over again.”
She understood him perfectly, as that’s how it often went for him. However, shockingly, Danger felt good that night.
“Yeah, I’m straight. Actually, I’m feelin’ real good right now.”
“Then what is it? What you over there thinking about?”
He tugged at his chin hairs for a second, licking his lips. “You want me to be real?”
“Of course.”
“I’m wondering how you taste…what you feel like.”
Caresha froze mid-sip, lowering her drink slowly as heat rushed through her body. Her clit thumped first, then her thighs tightened. The way he said it, calm and deep, like he had been thinking about it for a while, left her feeling flustered.
She looked away, feeling the intensity of their eye contact. A nervous smile tugged at her lips as her fingers tightened around her glass, and she hated how hyper-aware she suddenly became of everything: his voice, his scent, his eyes on her, and the closeness between them.