Chapter 10 #2
When we got to the front, Koda insisted on paying for everything even though some of the stuff wasn’t for him or the hotel.
I told him he didn’t have to pay for it, because I used some of my client’s money for the things I got for them.
Anything extra came out of my own money, but I knew how to budget, so I never went over what I intended.
Every month, I figured out my bills and other household essentials, then I put money to the side for my business including buying things that I may need for the future, then I put some in some savings, and, lastly, kept some for myself.
I lived comfortably because I didn’t buy things I didn’t need; at least not that often. I also got paid well from my clients.
“Thank you for paying,” I said as we walked out of the store.
“I already told you there is no need for you to pay for anything.”
“I know, but still.
Koda popped the trunk, and we worked together loading the stuff up inside.
“No, still. Where do you want to eat?”
I told him what I wanted as he closed the trunk. We walked around to the passenger side, and after Koda opened the door, I got inside.
A few seconds later, he climbed into the driver’s seat, and we headed to our destination.
The restaurant I wanted to go to was only a five-minute drive, and we were seated as soon as we walked in.
It didn’t take long for us to place our order either.
“How many sneakers do you think you have?” I asked Koda as we waited for our food.
“Shit, I don’t even know. I lost count at some point. That’s why I had to use a whole different room for some of them.”
“That’s crazy. I thought I had a lot, but you have me beat. Mine is more shoes, but I have a nice sneaker collection.”
“I’ll have to get you some to add to your collection.” He winked.
We talked more about how he even got into collecting sneakers.
He told me he was the only one in his family that had as many as he did.
The more Koda and I talked and spent time together, the more I realized how much we had in common.
We both liked to try different places. I noticed he liked sharing the books he read with me, which I enjoyed.
I liked that he liked sharing something special to him with me.
The waitress brought our food to us, and we didn’t waste any time praying over it and digging in.
I had a taste for pasta, so we had gone to a factory type restaurant that made pasta on the premises, and I knew they made an eggless variation of different dishes.
It was a pretty popular place, but since it was the middle of the week, it wasn’t that crowded.
“Your lasagna looks good,” I pointed out.
I had gotten the shrimp alfredo, while Koda got lasagna. I made sure to tell them to make sure it didn’t have eggs.
Koda scooped a little onto his fork, then held it up to my lips.
I leaned forward and opened my mouth.
“Wow, I thought I’d never see the day,” I heard from the side of me as I chewed the lasagna.
I used my napkin to cover my mouth and looked up at the intruder.
“Tamika, why are you here?” Koda asked through gritted teeth.
He looked annoyed by her presence, but she didn’t seem to notice or care.
“Oh, I just want to tell your date not to take you seriously because you don’t do relationships. I mean, it wasn’t that long ago that I was fucking you.”
I tried my best to not let her words get to me, especially because Koda said he didn’t do relationships, but it still bothered me.
Koda closed his eyes and put his fork down. He slightly turned toward her and lowered his voice.
“Tamika, I’m going to ask you nicely to walk away from this table. Don’t act like what we had was more than what it was.” He leaned even closer toward her. “Don’t get hurt over some shit that don’t belong to you.”
Her eyes darted between us, but she didn’t say anything else. She swiftly turned on her heels and walked away.
She was a pretty girl, and even though I didn’t want it to, I let her words sink in.
“Don’t pay her any mind,” Koda said when we were alone.
“Can we leave?” I lost my appetite and needed to get away from Koda.
I wanted to kick myself for not driving my own car. I would have to ride all the way to my house with him, but I had nothing to say.
“You good?” Koda asked with his head tilted.
“Yup. Just ready to go.”
He stared at me for a minute, and I could tell he wanted to say something else, but he refrained. He waved the waitress down and had her bag up the rest of our food, then paid for the bill.
I held Koda’s hand as we walked out of the restaurant, because I didn’t want to cause an argument in public. I let him help me into his truck like he always did, but I didn’t open my mouth.
“Ava, don’t let her get to you. I’m in this with you, for real, and it’s only about you. She’s just mad because I didn’t want to take it further with her.”
“I hear you.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Don’t just hear me, understand me. I wouldn’t waste your time like that.”
I heard him, and I wanted to believe him, but self-doubt crept in. Thinking about it, I wondered what kind of man didn’t have relationships and was he even capable of one.
“Okay, Koda.”
We didn’t say anything else as we drove to my house. The radio wasn’t even playing; it was just complete silence.
When we got to my house, Koda helped me bring everything inside.
“Avalon, you have to believe that I’m not playing about you or the feelings I have for you. I’m sorry the rest of our day was ruined.” He kissed my forehead, then walked out my front door.
I spent the rest of the day agonizing over whether I overreacted or not.
He didn’t do anything to make me think any other than what he told me.
What made me so special, though, that he wanted to settle down with me?
I needed to figure out what to do about it.
Maybe I’d talk to Diamond about it and get her advice.
Instead of calling her, I decided to put the stuff away, then finish my food before shutting myself off from the world for the rest of the day.