TWENTY
My jaw drops as I enter Mom’s condo, stunned by the plethora of luxury. The modern furniture and décor contrast the second-hand pieces in her last apartment. There’s no way a rich man isn’t involved in the upgrade.
I set the bags on the sleek black sofa and tell her, “The place looks good. Did it come furnished?”
“No, these are all my new stuff,” she brags, scooping the food onto plates.
“Huh.” Pausing at the large window, I take in the city and add, “You have a great view of the harbor.”
“Mmhmm.” She brings the plates to the round dining table and pours wine. “Where’s Jamir?”
“He’s busy.” I sit across from her, still in awe of the luxurious condo. “Thanks for inviting me to dinner.”
“Sure. I haven’t cooked for you in a while.”
“True. Plus, you want the French souvenirs.”
“Well.” She laughs it off and slices her smothered pork. “Who doesn’t?”
I pick up a forkful of curry chickpeas and rice, moaning at the burst of flavors. “This is delicious.”
“Of course it is.” She swallows and drinks a little. “I’m seeing someone.”
My hand stills with the fork. “You are?”
Her eyes sparkle as she goes on. “We’re having fun. He’s wonderful.”
“Who is he?” I hope it isn’t another felon.
She sighs. “Don’t worry, Davia. He’s a successful businessman.”
I look around the condo as it hits me. “Is that how you managed to move into this expensive place and—”
“Don’t kill the mood,” she grits, pursing her lips.
“You know what? It’s none of my business. Hope it works out with him however way you want.”
“Thank you.” She sips more wine as her expression softens again.
I use the chance to speak what’s on my heart. “Um, I want to spend more time with you.”
“We both work. What little time I have on the weekends, I like to relax with my new friend.”
“You can’t make room for me?”
She clicks her tongue. “You haven’t dropped that neediness even though you’re twenty-eight now.”
“Dang, Mom. I’m trying to have a better relationship with you. I want to be closer. Don’t you?”
Reaching across the table, she gives my hand a light touch that lasts a second. “Let’s do something in the week. Bring Jamir along.”
“I’ll let him know.”
She studies me keenly. “Did y’all argue? You have an attitude whenever he comes up.”
“Yes,” I admit, rubbing my neck. “We argued earlier.”
“Men are like toddlers sometimes. They throw tantrums. Go to his place after this and soothe his ego.”
I suck my teeth. “I’m not soothing his ass.”
“Y’all been together five years,” she points out. “What about getting married?”
“We haven’t discussed it in a while. Right now, the focus is on our careers.”
“Or maybe that man doesn’t want to make you his wife. He didn’t even move you into his place. His mama doesn’t even like you.”
I throw my head back. “Wow, Mom. Thanks. Maybe I don’t want to move in with Jamir. How bout that?”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re just making excuses. Have you considered he could be cheating?”
“No.” I shift on the chair. “Jamir works a lot. He barely has time for me, let alone other women.”
Staring at me as if I’m na?ve, she smirks and says, “Men always find a way, girlie.”
“Please don’t. Let’s enjoy dinner.”
“Fine.” She picks up her glass. “I assume my French gifts are in that bag you brought. You know my taste.”
“Yes, Mother. It’s all expensive.”
The organ in my chest gallops like a wild horse as I walk into the youth center and see Kross. The part of me committed to Jamir urges me to leave. The other side can’t ignore this attraction or that dirty phone call. Nor can I stop myself from checking him out in his black joggers and sweatshirt, the sleeves rolled up and revealing the ink on his arms. My eyes stay glued to the ornate designs as he approaches me.
“Davi.” That smooth, deep voice has such an intense effect on my emotions. “Everything okay?”
His question snaps me out of it. “Yeah.”
“Sure?” he checks, expression serious while looking over my appearance. “Did he hurt you?”
I quickly shake my head. “He’s never and would never do that.”
He relaxes his shoulders. “I wanted to text you last night but wasn’t sure you’d like that. Davi, listen—”
“The kids are all here?” I cut him off, avoiding the tension between us.
“Yeah,” he sighs. “Let me introduce you to the staff, and then we can sit in the group.”
“Okay.” I glance at the teens and draw a breath.
“Don’t be nervous.”
I fight back a shiver when he touches my arm. After introducing me to the supervisors, he leads me to the kids, a mix of brown girls and boys with charismatic personalities. Listening to their big dreams melts my heart. Some come from difficult homes but still have hope. Their eyes glisten with respect whenever Kross speaks, and I can tell he genuinely cares about them and wants them to succeed.
I discuss college and my fashion design career, then answer questions. Once the session ends, they move on to fun activities. I stick around with Kross until the kids take off late afternoon, and we walk to our cars out front.
“Thanks for coming today,” he says, smiling at me.
“Thank you for suggesting it. I enjoyed the time.”
“Hm.” He kicks at the ground. “Let’s grab something to eat at the vegan spot nearby. We could walk there. I just want to hang out.”
His enchanting gaze weakens the fight, causing me to nod. “Okay. You don’t have to go there for me if you want meat.”
He turns his head. “I’d rather you have other options than a dry salad. I know how these places can be.”
That makes me chuckle. “Thanks for thinking of me. I appreciate it.”
We stroll down the sidewalk to the restaurant at the corner, sitting at a table in the back. It’s thoughtful of him to choose this spot. Jamir always frowns at the idea of eating at a vegan restaurant, and he never checks the menu before taking me someplace.
“What you up to later?” Kross asks after the server takes our order.
“The rest of my day involves cleaning my apartment and laundry. Fun times.”
He snorts and drinks his soda. “So, how long have you been with ol’ boy?”
I drink water before answering. “Five years.”
He harrumphs. “That’s… some time.”
“Yeah.” I angle my head. “How come you’re single? You’re a nice guy.”
He smirks. “Too busy. But just last night in my office at the club, I received an offer to help me relax.”
That shouldn’t bother me, yet it makes me shift on the chair. “So it goes down in the office.”
He narrows his gaze. “Why do you automatically think I accepted?”
“Because men don’t turn down things like that.”
“This man did.”
I play it cool to hide any sign of the wave of relief flowing through me. “Really?”
“Yes, really. I don’t sleep with every woman who throws it at me, Davi. I have standards. There are qualities I look for in someone.”
“Which are?” slips past my lips.
“She has to be authentic,” he replies, staring into my eyes. “Smart. Confident. Respects herself. Beautiful inside and out. Can light up a room with her smile.”
“Those are good things. Hope you meet her soon.”
He moistens his lips. “Haven’t I already?”
My heart skips at his response. I avoid addressing it and switch the topic. “Going to the club later?”
He smirks and drinks his water. “I’m taking the night off to bake some cookies.”
“Special cookies?” I whisper.
A short laugh bursts out of him. “Nothing like that. Plain chocolate chip.”
“Ooh, my favorite.”
“I’ll save you some,” he offers. “I don’t use eggs or milk.”
“Thanks. Do you often bake when you’re home?”
He licks his lips, delaying a beat before he answers. “Only when I’m restless and can’t settle my mind.”
“Something troubling you?” I question.
“ Someone ,” he corrects, still watching me intensely.
“Hm.” I touch my neck.
“How come ol’ boy didn’t move you in with him?”
I lift my shoulder in a slight shrug. “He’s waiting until he buys a house. I don’t mind living separately.”
“Sure.” He finally breaks eye contact as the server brings our food. “What about marriage and kids?”
“Jamir doesn’t want kids.”
Kross stalls with his fork, a pinch between his brows. “What do you want, Davi?”
“I’m focusing on my career right now.”
“Okay.”
As we continue eating, something pops into my head. “You mentioned Cairo helped you when you were teens, and Mama G raised you. You want the kids at the center to know there’s another way other than the streets. Is that because you did stuff?”
He wipes his mouth with the napkin and steadies on me. “You want all my deep shit?”
“I’d like to know more beyond surface things.”
“That’s just it, shorty.” He leans back. “It takes a lot of vulnerability for me to share my dark parts with someone. It’ll connect us. You want that?”
“Yes,” leaves me with an unsteady breath.
His brows go up. “Damn. You didn’t hesitate.”
Right. Am I that thirsty for the man’s secrets?
“Um, as I’ve said, I’d like to know you.”
He watches me quietly for a beat, then nods. “Finish eating and take a ride with me.”