Page 141 of The Sweetest Devotion

Keith angled his head and nodded. “Asparagus is good.”

Going even further, I pushed the cart over to the fruit section. Keith was fit and decadent, but he already had a nasty smoking habit. We couldn’t letallof his health suffer. “Fruit is an important part of nutrition, Keith.”

He didn’t fight me as he came over and eyed the bags of apples, oranges, and mixed fruit. “Yeah? What’s your favorite thing to munch on?”

I looked around and found the shelf of grapes and quickly made my way over. “Cotton candy grapes.”

Keith made a face. “I don’t like cotton candy.”

“Me neither, but I love the grapes.”

No one was watching. The produce worker was up front talking to the floral employee. I reached into the bag of cotton candy grapes and plucked one free. Along the wall of lettuce, the automatic mist was going off and I made sure to rinse the grape before going and shoving it in Keith’s mouth.

With his eyes cast down at me, he sucked on my thumb slowly as I pulled it free, scraping his teeth across my skin.

He chewed on the grape and soon was bobbing his head. “Yeah, that’s potent and works.”

Happy, I grabbed the bag I’d stolen from and placed it in the cart. I added in a pack of blueberries, strawberries, and a bunch of bananas for good measure.

“Can I make your lunch for tomorrow?” I asked as we got ready to leave the produce section.

Keith’s hands came down on either side of mine on the cart and he leaned in close to my ear to speak. “If you must.”

I shivered, his proximity killing me.

“What up, Keith?” Another man spotted Keith as we were rounding the produce aisle and passing the beer and wine section of the store.

Keith broke away from me to go and greet the man. It wasn’t just a simple dap, though, Keith full-on hugged the man. “Nice to know you’re still around, Dre.”

The man snorted. “Speak for yourself, I heard you was ghost for a minute.”

Keith stepped back and frowned a little. “I was down for a little. Von definitely been on my ass about that. So, what you been on?”

Dre held his arms out, waving the pack of Pampers he was holding. “You already know. Charéal got us all wrapped around her finger. Louise sent me out to get some stuff.” He looked at me and tossed Keith a knowing smile. “So, who is this?”

Not missing a beat, Keith wrapped an arm around my waist and tugged me close. “This is my girl, Kennedy. Kennedy, this is my friend, DreSean.”

DreSean extended his hand and I was quick to shake it. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” he responded.

I didn’t miss the impressive look he gave Keith.

They spoke some more while I stood back and reeled over five simple words.This is my girl, Kennedy.

It was the second time he’d called me “his girl.” I didn’t mind. It was far more appropriate than explaining to Dominique or anyone else that I was the woman he was casually sleeping with. I thought I’d be offended if he called me hisfriendas well.

Looking up at Keith as he laughed at something DreSean had said, I decided no matter what, I did not want to be his friend. If I couldn’t have him at all, I didn’t want to settle for friends. I was too selfish to ever stomach him being content with someone else.

“Actually, I just linked with Savon and them not too long ago. We definitely gotta make a routine of it. It’s too easy to get caught up and lose track of people.”

“Heard you,” DreSean agreed. His phone began ringing loudly and he made a show to roll his eyes. “Listen, hit me up the next time y’all about to hit the Room, and I’ll come through.”

“Got you.” Keith hugged him again and DreSean waved at me as he answered his call and took off.

“He got married and had a baby, so you know how that go,” Keith said, by way of explanation.

Perhaps if I were a normal bride-to-be, I’d anticipate being so wrapped up in my future husband I’d miss out on spending time with my friends.

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