Page 100 of Zimyra

“Girl, you can’t pay that any attention. Dorian told me the same thing when we first met.”

“Yeah, I remember you telling me that, but whatever the case, it doesn’t matter. I’m not ready for a relationship either.”

“Yes, you are.”

I laugh and say, “How would you know that?”

“Because I know you. Myra, I could feel the chemistry between you and Axel that day we were at lunch and he came in the restaurant. You didn’t even know him as well as you do now, but I knew something was there. And now, this man is at a family function.”

“Yes, but only because Zavier invited him.”

“No, because he wassupposedto be here. Let me ask you this—how do you feel when you’re with him?”

The thought of answering that question has me warm all over. It’s also unnerving. It requires me to express my true feelings for this man to someone—something I’ve never done before. I take a breath and decide to answer truthfully when I say, “When I’m with him, I feel safe. I feel cared for. I feel like I’m the only woman in the world.”

“You feel all those things and the most you said to him all evening is likehi?”

“I know. I’ll talk to him before we leave.”

“Please do. And I don’t want to have this talk with you again, young lady.”

I smile as we head back over to join the rest of the family. Axel doesn’t hide the fact that he’s staring at me. Reading me. Analyzing me. My heart palpitates at the force of his presence weighing upon me. Of realizing how much I really need him.

“Hey, I’ll be right back,” I tell Capri.

She continues to the table. I go inside the house for a moment, just to use the bathroom and take a few much needed breaths after escaping the intense heat of Axel’s eyes.

And now, I stand here at the sink, washing my hands, trying to figure out what I should say to him to break the ice. And I have butterflies. I smile small and say in a monotone, “Snap out of it, girl. He’s just a man.”

But I also know he’s more than that. He’s a man, yes – but he’s unlike any man I know orwantto know. I suppose it’s time I stop lying to myself about my feelings. I need to let him know how I feel – easier said than done, I know, but it has to be done.

I force out a breath and leave the bathroom, heading back outside again, ready to walk over to him and say something although I don’t know exactly what. When I step out, I notice he’s not sitting where I last saw him. As a matter of fact, when I look around, I discover he’s not anywhere.

I walk over to Capri and ask, “Where did Axel go?”

“I just saw him heading for the gate.”

“Okay,” I say and then walk quickly in that direction. Once I make it to the front yard, I see him walking over to his ride.

He opens the driver’s door as I round the car and asks, “Are you leaving?”

He looks at me, his jaw tightening in frustration. When our eyes meet, the anger in his gaze softens. He exhales sharply and with an even, steady voice he replies, “Yes, I’m leaving.”

“Why?”

“Why do you think? I came here for you, Zimyra, and you haven’t said five words to me since I got here.”

“It’s not like I wasn’t going to talk to you—”

“It’s been nearly three hours of me sitting around talking to your cousins, your mother, yoursanebrother—people I didn’t come here for. And where were you all last week? Huh? I thought we had this discussion before about you going missing on me, and you turn around and do it again. I called you. I texted you. I came by your place several times, Zimyra, and you—” He scowls and takes a breath. “Why do you keep doing this to me?”

“Axel—”

“Just answer my question, Zimyra. Why? Huh? I make myself available for you. I do whatever you need me to do and you consistently push me away.”

After a few quick breaths, I say, “I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” he asks, his frown deepening.

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