5. Blythe #2
“Sorry.” I spoke lowly. He brought his hands down at a slow pace before they fell to his side.
“Don’t touch that envelope. You ain’t seen the news and sex trafficking stuff?” He asked still standing a safe distance away.
“I can handle myself.” I spoke arrogantly.
“Of course, I was sent out here to make sure you made it safe.” He huffed out preparing to walk away.
I felt a flutter in my stomach when he turned to leave me.
I wanted him to stay a little longer. I was actually afraid at what the envelope could be.
But I knew I burnt my bridge with him and my smart-ass mouth.
“Hey.” I spoke out in a shaky tone. He turned just enough for our eyes to meet. I looked around trying to find the words in the chilly garage. “Umm, thank you.” He nodded his response and continued away from me. He was definitely mad at me and maybe slightly afraid.
I got in my car and drove to the gas station down the street. Using the window cleaning brush, I brushed off the envelope forcing it to hit the ground with a slap. I looked down at it with curiosity before I got back in my car and drove off leaving it wet on the ground.
I needed to be more cautious with my surroundings and make sure I always carry my pistol moving forward. My subs were pleasant but there are still a few that I don’t know completely so I needed to be aware of everything. I could feel a shift, and it didn’t feel right.
Exhaling deep I tried to adjust to the steaming hot water I had just submerged my feet in.
The eucalyptus scrubbing salt hit my nose and calmed me instantly.
Autumn and I had finally got around to our manicure and pedicure date after canceling last week.
But I refused to let any more days go by. So here we were right after work.
“You okay?” Autumn asked. I was finally comfortable enough in the hot water to relax fully.
“Yea. You good?” I asked in return with a deep relaxing exhale.
“I’m great. You know I love this damn place.” She sipped from her champagne flute. She seemed to be floating and had a glow about her.
“Me too.” I stared at her; she was smiling from ear to ear and didn’t notice my glare.
“What?” She blushed when she noticed me
“Spill it hoe.”
“What, I’m just happy to be here with you.” She fiddled with her fingers and tapped them on the pedicure massaging chair. I knew she was lying. That smile could only be one thing. I stared at her intently. She stared back unbudging.
“Okay, fine.” I sat back in the chair and let the massager work out all the kinks in my lower back. The nail tech rubbed at the balls of my feet causing a moan to escape my lips. Her hands felt like heaven. My life usually consisted of high heels, so this felt so perfect right now.
“I think I’ma go with the red this time.” Autumn examined her hands like she could envision it.
“Yea that will be cute.” I responded nonchalantly. I still wanted to know who had my best friend’s attention and why she felt like she couldn’t tell me.
“Let me guess, black again?” I nodded up and down. No point in speaking it, we both knew what I was getting. “B, please live a little. Maybe add some sparkle or something.”
“Fine, I will do a black French tip.” She tapped her index and thumb together giving me her approval.
“So about earlier?”
“What happened earlier?” I turned slightly in my chair to give her my undivided attention.
“Pharaoh’s fine ass.” I rolled my eyes so damn hard my head hurt a little.
I didn’t want to talk about his ass. He pissed me off royally and turned me the hell on.
“No, hoe, don’t act like that. You know you feeling him.
The fact that you let him check you and didn’t have a comeback, Blythe, thee Blythe Livingston would never.
” She pressed her hand to her chest for dramatic effect.
“And what should I have said Autumn? He is the damn son of the CEO of the company. In case you forgot, I am still trying to make partner.” Honestly, I didn’t have a comeback because he had me stunned speechless.
Like I said, men didn’t talk to me like that.
And him doing it lit a euphoric fire through my body. His dominance exuded through his pores.
“Mmm, whatever you say. But I know you ain’t say shit because you liked the way he made you feel.”
“If you say so. I guess we will both have a coming to Jesus’ moment soon. Because I know that smile ain’t because she is scrubbing your crusty ass feet.” She burst out laughing and the nail tech laughed as well.
“See hoe, you are doing too much. My feet ain’t crusty for one. And two, yo ass is trying to deflect.” I ignored her and picked up my phone.
It was indeed a deflection. I wasn’t ready to talk about feelings. That wasn’t my lane and felt foreign even coming from me. I wanted to stay in my realm of control, and they were slowly bringing me out of it.
Minutes into our pedicures I found myself looking up Pharaoh’s profile on social media.
Even his profile was pleasing to the eye.
They were all of him and his family. No woman that looked like a girlfriend or wife which was surprising.
Men like him at least had somebody trying to stake claim.
I couldn’t find anything not even a feminine arm lingering in the background.
And I was deep into his photos. He had some from his college days, a few in what looked like high school.
Graduation, parties, clubbing, you name it and not a single girl on his arm.
“Interesting.” I clicked the button my phone blacking out the screen.
When I looked over at Autumn, she had a brow raised staring me down.
“Don’t like him my ass.” She stood up and followed her tech to the nail station.
I was caught red handed looking at the man that had me intrigued from the moment I saw him.
This couldn’t be my life; no way a man was consuming my thoughts.
An hour and twenty minutes later Autumn and I were finally finished.
I paid for us both, tipped our techs generously and we headed out into the crisp evening air.
You could smell the season change; the leaves were just beginning to change color and start to fall off into the street.
I inhaled deep to get the chemical smell of the salon out of my nose.
“I am heading home.” Autumn spoke. I turned to her and her pinky was extended in my direction.
“But I will say this.” We interlocked our pinkies and touched thumbs.
She held my hand in place. “Maybe not him because he is the son of the boss, but someone B. Break down your walls a little. Find love my baby. It’s time and no one deserves it more than you. ”
“I hear you.” I pulled her into a one-armed hug. Her hand grazed my side with my scar and I exhaled deep.
It would be hard as hell to break down the built-up walls it took me years to create.
I have yet to meet anyone that could come close to trying.
So, finding love would be damn near impossible.
I watched her sashay her way in the direction of her car and I prayed I could channel my inner Autumn to be a free spirit, loving, and find love. But only if it was for me.