Page 73 of Honey's Special Roux

He reached for my hand but pulled away at the last moment—as if he expected a rejection and opted to prevent it. “I’m not here to stress you out, baby.”

“I’m not your baby.”

“Right. Anyway, you were there for me when I went through many dark moments. You were my anchor to keep my feet planted. I want to do the same for you, Honey.”

His statement left me in a stupor. What was I supposed to say in response to that? We had so much history, so many memories, so much heartbreak. I couldn’t open myself up to him and risk bringing Quis into an unstable environment.

“Marquise, I?—”

“Can I take you on a ride?” he asked.

“A ride?”

“Like the good old days. It’ll give you an escape from these people as well as a few moments to enjoy the wind in your face.”

“I don’t know…”

“Jenifer or Chamille can watch Quis. I promise I’ll have you back before the sun sets.”

I tucked my lip between my teeth and contemplated the offer.Fuck it.“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes. Don’t make me change my mind.”

His smile was contagious. “Shit, let’s go!”

“I’ll meet you at your car.”

“Fa sho.”

We both stood and went in separate directions. My stomach was swarmed with butterflies—the same little bugs that had infiltrated my system when I’d first started talking to Marquise all those years ago. Did God bring us back to rekindle the flame? Should I give him a chance? Should I open up to him?

Let’s see where fate takes us.

* * *

“Where are you taking me?” I asked as he merged onto the tollway.

The Camaro looked brand new, and the engine sounded great. Whoever kept the car for him while he did his bid took good care of the vehicle.

Marquise’s grip on the steering wheel shifted as he glanced at me. “Enjoy the ride, Honey.”

“What if you learned some serial killer tricks while in prison? Are you going to kidnap me and carve your name on my body or something?”

He chuckled. “You’re still watching them crime shows, huh?”

“You know I love those crazy ass shows.”

“Yeah, I do.” He shook his head.

He took a familiar exit. It took another fifteen minutes before he pulled up to the lake. Ducks swam in small groups while, in the distance, people fished on boats. We got out and sat on a bench near the dock. We watched life move around us before he finally spoke.

“We used to come out here and vent all the time. Let’s do that today. Tell me what’s on your mind. Release those emotions you’ve been bottling up.”

I fiddled with my thumbs and looked away.

“Aht.” Marquise reached over and used his pointer and middle finger to lift my head and turn to look into his eyes.

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