Chapter 6
I leaned over the middle console of Kaleo’s car and he turned his head to catch my mouth with his. We shared three quick pecks before I smiled and sat back in my seat.
We’d had breakfast together then sex on his couch and cuddling. Then, we’d just existed together. I’d washed the dishes since he’d cooked. He started on his laundry. It was nice for us to do domestic labor together.
However, around one, he’d gotten a call from his brother and told me he had to run off but suggested that I maybe go hangout with Allur. I’d reached out to her and she’d told me immediately that we could meet up at the nail shop, get manicures then get a late lunch together.
Even though I adored Kaleo, it was always nice to spend time with my cousin too.
“There your girl right there,” Kaleo nudged his head and I looked over at where Allur was parking.
I waved at her to try to get her attention. She smiled widely when she saw me.
Kaleo popped open his middle console and grabbed a roll of cash. He pulled a few hundreds off and offered them to me. I lifted an eyebrow.
“Get you and Allur’s maintenance done on me.”
“Kaleo-”
He cut me off. “It wasn’t a suggestion, shawty.”
“Oh, yeah?” I cut my eyes at him.
He smirked. “I don’t want to argue with you. Just let me do this. Please.”
I looked him over, trying to see if I could read him and if he genuinely just wanted to pay for me and Allur’s things.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“Positive.’
I held his gaze while I took the money from him.
“Well, thank you.”
“Thank you,” he countered.
I scoffed. “For what?”
“For showing up when I needed you.”
“Kaleo, whether you pay for my nails or not, I’m still going to show up for you.”
“I know.” Kaleo reached down and started to mess with his keys.
“So, do you want the money back?” I asked carefully.
“Hell nah.” He snickered. “And uh…” He cleared his throat and lifted the key he’d taken off the ring.
“If you ever want to hangout at my place, I’d love to come home to you.
” He held the key out to me. “I don’t want there to be any pressure.
I just want you to know that you’re welcome at my spot whenever you want to be there. ”
My lip poked out automatically and Kaleo laughed before he leaned into me to kiss me two quick times again. This time I grabbed his face and held it in place while I deepened our kiss.
I felt butterflies in a way I hadn’t felt them in a long time and even though this thing with Kaleo was new, I knew immediately that I was done for.
“You’re making me feel like I may not actually want to go back home after this summer.”
“Good. Don’t.”
We jumped apart and looked at the passenger side window when knocking echoed throughout the car.
Allur cut her eyes at us.
“Girl, stop sucking that man’s face and get your ass out of the car.”
Kaleo chuckled but grabbed me by the back of my neck before I could climb out.
“I’m not telling you to give up your life, but I’m telling you to consider it, to consider staying around here.”
“Okay.” I nodded.
“And I’ll see you tonight?”
“Yeah.”
Kaleo kissed me again.
“Alright. Go hangout with your girl before she starts tripping.”
“Yes sir. Have fun with your brother.”
“I will.”
I turned and hopped out the car.
“Hey!” I hugged Allur immediately.
“Hey girl.” She looked around me. “Bye Kaleo!” She waved at him.
“Have a good one, Allur.” He waved back. “Take good care of my baby.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
She waved him off. He chuckled.
We watched him leave then headed into the nail shop together. We decided to get started with pedicures and were seated together immediately. I accepted the book of different nail colors and flipped the first page open while Allur collected her drink.
I flipped to the last page then backwards to the first one before giving up on that specific book and passing it to Allur.
“So,” she flipped it open. “You and Kaleo seem closer than ever.”
“Do we?” I grabbed the next book.
“You’re full of shit,” she accused and we both laughed.
“You already know that I like him though.”
“I mean, yeah, but are y’all official or still figuring it out or what?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I mean, we aren’t official but I don’t think we’re exactly casual anymore either.”
“He gave me a house key.”
“What?” Allur looked over at me. “A house key?”
“Yep. Just now.” I shimmied in my seat and giggled in excitement. “He said he would love to come home to me.”
“For the summer or forever?” Allur leaned into me.
“At least the summer, but I did tell him that he makes me not want to go back.”
“That man has your nose wide open, November.”
“Just a little bit,” I confessed.
“It’s cute though. I like it for you. He’s definitely a step up from the last one and honestly, it looks like he’s just as down bad as you are so I’m here for all of this. Get your man, girl.”
“And will.” I held my hand out toward her and we slapped palms. “I can’t wait to be in my ‘my man, my man, my man’ era.”
“Girl, you already are.” Allur laughed.
I nodded. “You right.”
Allur was definitely on to something. Even if I wasn’t going to claim Kaleo publicly until we were officially in a relationship, I was definitely already classifying him as my man to her and my imagination.
I liked Kaleo and everyday I was feeling more safe with the thought of letting him have me too.