Chapter 3 Zora
Zora
I spotted Tiana and Nia as soon as I walked in, both of them camped out in our usual booth with half-empty glasses and a basket of wings. Sliding in beside them, I set my purse down and reached for what was left.
“Look who finally showed up,” Tiana teased, nudging the basket toward me.
I took one and bit into it before answering. “You act like I’m hours late. Y’all been running your mouths without me, anyway.”
Nia shook her head with a heavy sigh. “Girl, one of these parents had me all the way fucked up today. Walked up in my classroom talking slick, like I’on have twenty other kids to deal with. She forgot I’m a teacher during the day, but I’m still Nia from the block once I clock out.”
I chewed slow, giving her a look. “And you would’ve been unemployed by Monday.”
“And it would’ve been worth it, too,” she said, lifting her glass like a toast before sipping.
Tiana leaned forward, groaning. “Please… at least you get summers off. I got clients blowing me up at midnight like their damn nails can’t wait until the morning. One even asked me to swing by her house before she left for work. Girl, fuck you and your nails.”
“That’s wild,” I said, leaning back with my glass. The liquor sat on my tongue for a second before I added, “Speaking of wild… Justin came by the other night.”
Both of them froze, then turned their heads at the same time.
Nia smirked. “And what happened?”
“You know what happened, so don’t start.”
Tiana narrowed her eyes like she could read right through me. “Zo, that man is consistent. He checks on you… he shows up… he puts in effort. Why you keep acting like you’on see it?”
“He’s good on paper,” I said, steady. “But good on paper don’t mean he’s good for me. I’m not moved like that, and I’m not about to force myself just to say I got somebody.”
Nia raised her brow. “Or maybe you’re scared of somebody actually treating you right.”
I set my glass down with a soft thud and smiled. “Or maybe I just know what works for me. Either way, y’all not about to make this about me all night.”
We were halfway through another round when I leaned back and asked, “Y’all still coming to the big race with me?”
Tiana smirked. “Of course. I already got my fit laid out.”
Nia tipped her glass, grinning. “Bitch, please. You know I wouldn’t miss that. All them fine niggas in one place? I might beat you there.”
We all fell out in a fit of laughter. I was still catching my breath when a shadow fell across the table.
“What’s good, beautiful?”
The three of us looked up, but his focus never left me. He gave Tiana and Nia a respectful nod before locking back on my face like they weren’t even there.
I arched a brow, keeping my voice calm. “Do I know you?”
“Not yet.” His grin spread slow, deliberate. “Name’s Semi. I’m the one setting up shop across from you.”
I knew exactly who he was. I’d spent most of the day sneaking glances through the window like a creep.
“So you’re the neighbor,” I said, lifting my glass to hide the curve of my mouth.
“Yeah… and I couldn’t let the night pass without properly introducing myself. It would’ve felt wrong watching you all day and not introducing myself.”
“You were watching me, huh?” I smirked.
“Hard not to.” He let his eyes drag over my frame before making it back to my face. “Figure we’re gonna be seeing each other a lot, so we might as well make it easier.” He pulled out his phone and held it steady in front of me. “Why don’t you give me your number?”
I let him wait through a long pause, then slid the phone from his hand and tapped it in. Passing it back, I watched him tuck it away, not bothering to check and see if I’d given him the correct number.
“You’ll be hearing from me soon,” he said, his voice low, before nodding at Tiana and Nia again and walking off without a glance back.
The second he was gone; Tiana smacked the table. “Zo, don’t play with that man.”
Nia grinned wide, shaking her head. “He don’t look like he plays fair, anyway.”
I laughed under my breath and finished what was left of my drink. “Good. I hope he doesn’t.”
They groaned, ready to give me a questionnaire, but I had no answers for them. Not yet anyway. Semi had my attention, even if it was only temporary.
***
I was setting up for my first client, laying everything out on my station, when the door opened and Semi stepped in with two cups in his hand.
“Morning, beautiful,” he said as he came closer, setting one down in front of me. “Figured you could use a pick-me-up.”
I glanced at the cup, then back at him, a smile tugging at my mouth. “You bringing me coffee now?”
“Of course. Only right I look out for my neighbor,” he said, leaning against the chair like he had all the time in the world.
I picked it up, letting the warmth run through my hand before taking a sip. The taste hit just right. “This is perfect,” I admitted, setting it down again.
“Good. Means I guessed right.” His eyes never left mine. “So what about you? What’s the story behind the fine stylist across the street?”
I folded the towel in my hands, not breaking eye contact. “No story. I keep my circle tight, I ride with my girls, and I work hard at what I do. Nothing complicated.”
He studied me like he was reading between every word. “You say that, but nothing about you looks simple, Zora.”
I arched a brow at the way he said my name. “Nothing ever is. What’s your story?”
“I run my shop and raise my daughter. I’on waste time on anything that doesn’t matter,” he said, voice steady but edged with pride.
“How old is your daughter?” I asked.
“She’s eight.”
“My niece is eight too,” I countered. “So I already know what you’re dealing with—attitude one second, a pure sweetheart the next.”
He chuckled, low and rough. “Hell yeah… maybe we get them together sometime. Let the girls run around while we kick back.”
“Smooth way to work that in.”
“I’m serious, though. Let me take you out. Dinner, drinks… you pick the spot.”
The bell above the door chimed before I could answer, my first client walking in with a bright smile that cut straight through the moment. Semi smirked making it clear he didn’t take my silence as a no.
“I’ll see you later, Zora,” he affirmed, nodding at my client before pushing off the chair and heading for the door.
I watched him through the glass as he crossed the street and disappeared into his own shop. The coffee was still warm in my hand, but it was the way he moved that stuck with me—like he’d already decided he wasn’t going anywhere.
I was finishing up a client when the door opened and Breezy walked in, sliding into one of the chairs by the wall.
“Wassup, Zo?” she asked.
“I can’t complain,” I said, pressing the flat iron down the last section of hair. “You good?”
“Always. Between getting ready for the show and checking on the girls, my plate’s full.” She crossed one leg over the other, watching me through the mirror. “Everybody’s looking solid though.”
“They better be,” I said with a grin. “We can’t pull up half-stepping.”
“You know we won’t,” she said. Then she leaned forward a little. “I came to grab what you had for Aubree.”
I set the flat iron down and reached under my counter, pulling out the envelope. “Here you go.” Handing it over, I added, “Let her know I’ll stop by this weekend too.”
“She’ll appreciate that,” Breezy said, slipping it into her jacket. “She’s tough, but this one hit her harder than she lets on. She needs to feel us standing with her.”
“She will,” I said, steady. “We all got her.”
“That’s facts.” Breezy stood and gave me a nod. “I’ll catch you later, Zo.”
I finished with my last client, put away my tools, and swept the floor until the shop was ready to close. I had just reached for the sign when the door opened and Semi walked in, crossing the room with the same calm stride he always carried.
“You closing already?” he asked, settling against the counter while his eyes stayed on me.
“The day’s done,” I replied, sliding the broom to the side. “What brought you back over here?”
“I wanted to make sure you didn’t forget me,” he said, his tone steady but deliberate. “Saturday night at eight. I’ll pick you up.”
I lifted an eyebrow, folding my arms. “You didn’t even ask if I was available.”
“Ain’t no need in asking,” he said, keeping his focus on me without wavering. “Be ready at eight.”
A quiet laugh escaped me, and I shook my head slowly. “You really do like making your own rules.”
“That’s the only way I move, love,” he answered, pushing himself away from the counter. At the door, he paused just long enough to add, “Lock up behind me. I’ll see you Saturday.”
He left without waiting for a reply, and I turned the key once the door clicked shut.
My hands moved through the familiar motions, but my head was nowhere near closing.
Semi had a way of stepping in and making it feel like he had already claimed space that wasn’t his, and for the first time in a long time I caught myself not minding.
That thought alone pissed me off more than it should have.
He could have my time, maybe my body if I let the night carry me there, but nothing beyond that.
The problem was I knew myself well enough to catch the hesitation buried under all that certainty.
Semi had me curious, and curiosity was dangerous.
I swore I’d keep the line drawn, but a small part of me was already wondering what would happen if I didn’t.