Page 32 of So I Know it's Real

“I hear you, but what’s the end goal? You don’t have a desire to start your own cleaning service or something?”

Our server came over to take our order and drop off the bottle Durk requested when we arrived. We shared a toast then threw back a double shot of dark liquor before I restarted our conversation.

“I enjoy the incentives I receive from working for the school district. Plus, I enjoy working around kids. If anything, I want my boss’s job.”

Durk nodded as he removed a blunt from a Grabba Leaf pack and lit the tip. “My folks have connections in the city. Say the word and—”

“No, thank you. I want to earn the position.”

“Oh, trust me, if I made the call, you’d work for the favor.” He winked. “Come here.”

I leaned forward, moving so close his goatee tickled my chin. I got ready to stick out my tongue, prepared to taste him, but he shook his head.

“Inhale,” he whispered before sending a stream of smoke through my puckered lips. “Good girl.”

On the edge of my seat, I grew eager as I reached for his blunt. “My turn.”

“Nah, baby. I do the bending around these parts. Let’s figure out what you want to eat.”

“Whatever.” I snickered. “I already know I want sushi.”

“Bet. What Lucky wants Lucky gets.”

As Durk ordered for us, I glanced around the unique hangout, smiling from ear to ear. I became loose courtesy of the shotgun and the princess treatment. A part of me regretted waiting a month to accept Durk’s offer to take me out. The otherhalf of me was just happy he stood on business and didn’t take no for an answer.

Oh shit.

The sight of three men with red rags hanging from their pockets put me on edge. They sat in the back of the restaurant, sharing a joint. The burly one looked familiar, but I didn’t want to stare too long and ignite an issue. Before I could point them out, Durk peered over his shoulder. His bright smile was still intact when he faced me, but I saw his nostrils flare.

“As long as they stay chill, I promise not to turn this muthafucka upside down,” he expressed in an even tone.

I balled up my hand and stretched it across the table. “Promise?”

He pounded my fist. “I got you.”

The owner of Fusion Eatz walked to the area where most of the couples were seated. He explained the point of the exercise they were conducting and highlighted how therapeutic it could be to do while on Cloud Nine. I didn’t believe Durk purposely brought me to the place while there was a pre-set event on the calendar, but I thought it was perfect forourfirst date.

“All right, I’ll go first.” Durk brushed his hand over his waves as he stared at the index card. “What the hell, Lucky?”

I snickered. “Just read it.”

“If you had to pick your last meal, what would it be?”His bronze-shaded stare caught the ceiling after he handed me his blunt to smoke. “Soul food. Gimme some sticky turkey wings, yams, and cabbage.”

“That’s easy work. I can make that.”

“Hol’ up. Are you planning to take me out?”

“I don’t plan to,” I sang. “But if it comes down to it, at least you know I’ll feed you first.”

“Hell, in that case, I want to change my answer. The new answer is pussy. Your pussy, to be specific.”

“Too late! It’s my turn.” I concentrated on my card. “Where do you want to be in five years?”Ihummed.“I want to be out of debt. In love. Closer to God. What about you?”

“Out of the streets. Sitting on a bag bigger than my balls. Away from a vengeful heart,” he answered without missing a beat.

“I didn’t know you were still in the streets.”

“I dibble and dabble when the price is right. It’s nothing that will ever touch our doorstep.”

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