Chapter 13
R asheed was annoyingly, effortlessly here.
There. Every-damn-where . After lunch, Mama took us on a tour of the grounds, and guess who just so happened to stand next to me the whole time?
Rasheed. Who helped carry chairs, rearrange things, and pick up behind people with me?
Rasheed. Who handed me lemonade when I got hot outside?
Rasheed. He didn’t get me sweet tea like everyone else.
No, he got me my favorite drink. He got me lemonade.
And he wasn’t even flirting. He was funny and helpful and charming. It was god-awful. Everything about him was effortless and natural and that made me deeply suspicious. Not because I thought he was faking but because he seemed so real and genuine.
By the time everyone went their separate ways after the late lunch, Mama’s side of the family made their grand entrance.
I took the longest shower possible and listened to a couple more chapters of the audiobook version of The Streets Will Never Love Me Like You Do while I got ready.
Since I knew there would be a photographer here, I put on a silk, strapless dress and did a light, glittery makeup look.
Paisley wanted her bridal party to have their hair up for the wedding, so I was taking full advantage of being able to wear my hair down for the rest of the events.
I used my flat iron to style my hair in Hollywood waves since I’d forgotten my curling iron at home and didn’t feel like borrowing someone else’s.
I took a few pictures and posted them to my social media before chilling in the sitting area of my room.
Before I left, I checked my notifications one last time, because I knew I wouldn’t be on my socials anymore this evening.
It didn’t surprise me to see the amount of comments and likes I’d gotten so far, but I was surprised to see someone who wasn’t my friend had liked and commented on it.
Skeptically, I clicked on Houston J’s profile, refusing to believe it was my Houston. Or my ex Houston, at least.
Sure enough, it was him. He’d followed me and sent a friend request, and seeing as I’d blocked him on everything, it caught me off guard seeing his name and photos.
We hadn't talked since I called things off.
He'd called and texted from other numbers and dropped by that first week, but when he realized I was serious, he stopped.
Unable to resist, I accepted the request and sent him a DM.
Miss Pres: Didn’t I block you?
Houston J: Yeah. That’s why I made a new page.
Miss Pres: Not sure why. I told you we were done.
Houston J: You meant forever? I thought six months would be enough for you to forgive me.
As much as I didn’t want to, I smiled. Unfortunately, the last six months were more than enough time for me to get over Houston. I realized we held on to each other for as long as we did because we didn’t have any major issues, but the small ones added up.
Houston was dangerous.
He was the kind of man I could easily slip into a friends with benefits situation with because he looked good, had good dick and a good job, and was genuinely a cool guy.
Now that I was being more honest with myself about what I wanted, that was no longer enough.
Plus, his mama tried to play in my face, and I’d been raised to respect my elders.
I could only imagine the games she’d play when he got married.
Miss Pres: Yes for forever. I don’t think I need to forgive you for prioritizing your mother. I just can’t be with a man who doesn’t prioritize me.
Houston J: I know where I fucked up. I should have done something with her on any other day but your birthday bae. I know how important birthdays are to you, but I was trying so hard to hold her down that I dropped you.
Miss Pres: Thank you for acknowledging that. It means a lot to me. ??
Houston J: You mean a lot to me.
Miss Pres: You meant a lot to me but we can’t go there again.
Houston J: Can we be friends?
Miss Pres: You know we can’t be real friends Houston.
Houston J: And you know I’ll never let you go. If you block this page, I’ll just make another one and find you again. Until you married you available!
Houston J: I will always find you Presly.
Miss Pres: Houston please. ?? Let me go.
Houston J: Is that what you really want?
Miss Pres: Yes!!!
Houston J: Aight but I’ll be lurking. When you wanna try again I’ll be here. Or when your new nigga fuck up and you on some rebound shit. I’ll take what I can get ??
Miss Pres: ????
Closing the app, I considered blocking him again but didn’t bother. As long as we didn’t talk, I figured we’d be okay. Besides, the moment he got into a relationship, I was sure he’d forget all about me.
Light tapping on my door gained my attention.
It was Auntie JJ asking if I had any jewelry for her.
She loved my Van Cleef bracelet, so I let her wear the black one since I had on the white one.
When we got to the dining room, she couldn’t wait to tell my mama’s sister how she was my favorite auntie as she showed off the bracelet I’d given her.
I couldn’t deny the claim, but I didn’t want to hurt Aunt Stacy, my mom’s sister, even though we weren’t super close.
Thankfully Aunt Lauren hadn’t come down yet.
I just begged Auntie JJ to please sit down and shut up and she laughed as she said, “You know I’m right. ”
A frown covered my face at the sight of my cousin sitting across from my sister. That was supposed to be my seat.
“Presly.” At the sound of an unfamiliar voice saying my name, I looked to the left. That gruff, raspy voice belonged to Rasheed. “You’re sitting next to me.”
I looked from Mama to Paisley for clarification, and when they both avoided my eyes with goofy grins, I realized there was bullshit afoot. Huffing, I walked three seats down and looked at my name plate next to Rasheed.
“Why am I sitting here?” I asked Rasheed, feeling like he was just as involved as the other two.
“Because I wanted to sit next to you,” he answered, pulling the chair out for me.
“Why?”
Slowly, that cocky grin spread, and dammit if my heart didn’t skip a beat. “I want you close, sweetheart.”
Chuckling nervously, I sat down. “I’m not sure why. You don’t even know me.”
“I do know you.” Rasheed pushed my chair up, putting his mouth next to my ear to add, “I also know you’re mine,” just loud enough for me to hear. Between the declaration and the feel of his breath against my ear, I shivered.
Smoothing his tie, he sat down and gave me a brief glance before returning to his conversation with Tyler and an older couple that I assumed was one of their parents.
I was so discombobulated by what had transpired that I couldn’t even speak.
All I could do was stare at him until Uncle Bobby struck up a conversation about what has been going on in my life.
When the dishes were brought out and rotated, Rasheed didn’t allow me to touch a thing. He asked what I wanted, then put it on my plate before handing it to Uncle Bobby. Same with the wine and water. The entire dinner, the only time I had to lift a finger was to feed myself.
We moved into the second dining room for cocktails and dessert, and as we walked, his hand was on the small of my back. Chills covered my arms as I looked up at him.
He made me feel small.
Feminine.
Soft.
Cared for.
Christ.
Maybe it was Rasheed who was dangerous. And maybe I liked this kind of danger.
“Um, thanks again for this morning,” I said, not sure what else to say.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
“Did you know who I was?”
“I did. Jason showed me some pictures of you last year. Back in December. He mentioned it was your birthday or something, but I was unable to meet you. Glad I was able to now.”
For some reason, knowing he knew who I was earlier flustered me.
I knew Jason wanted to introduce me to someone, but I didn’t know he was out here showing strangers my pictures.
I huffed as I scanned the room for Jason.
When I found him and Paisley talking, I rushed over and punched him in his shoulder.
“Ow!” he yelped, grabbing where I hit him with a laugh. “What you hit me for?”
“Who told you to go around showing my pictures to strangers?”
Confusion covered his face, but it quickly faded and turned into a smile. “You talked to Rasheed? I told you I had somebody for you last year.”
My eyes rolled as I groaned. “I don’t need you playing matchmaker for me, Jason. That’s embarrassing.”
“Fuck allat. You my sister and it’s my job to protect you in all ways. That includes your heart. Sheed is my best friend and he’s a good man. Give him a chance, sis.”
“I agree,” Paisley said, wrapping her arm around me. “You know how Jason is coming behind me. Don’t you want a man to treat you the same way? Just see where his head and heart are at before you completely write him off, big sis.”
My breath came out shaky as Jason wrapped an arm around me as well, and they both hugged me.
“Alright, alright, but don’t expect anything. He’s fine but I’m not looking for anything right now. Besides, he lives in LA, right? I’ve never been in a long distance relationship.”
“Don’t even worry about that,” Jason said with a grin, as if he knew something I didn’t. “Just give my boy a chance.”
I couldn’t bring myself to verbally agree, so I nodded.
I hadn’t dated or had sex with anyone since Houston, and though I admitted I wanted a relationship, I was in no rush to date again.
Leaving the love birds to continue engaging with their guests, I headed outside by the fountain, grabbing a glass of red wine from the tray a server held on the way.
I was so deep in my thoughts I didn’t realize I wasn’t alone until I heard someone clear their throat. I looked to the right and saw Rasheed.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know anyone else was out here,” I said, standing to leave.
“You gon’ be trouble, I can see that.”
I didn’t bother turning around, but I did ask, “What makes you say that?”
“You keep running from me.”
“I’m not running. I just… have to go.”
Rasheed chuckled. “Yeah, aight. I’ll chase you, Presly. You can run.”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I took a chug of the wine before quickly making my way inside. He thought I was trouble, but he was the one. And I needed to stay the hell away from him.