Page 3 of Rhodes to Love

I licked my lips as I stared at her pretty ass, and she blushed. She pulled her hand from mine and ate some of her peach cobbler. So the moment wouldn’t be so tense, I changed the subject. “So how is it? I saw it up there, but I was hesitant about getting it.”

Once she swallowed, she said, “It’s good. I mean, it’s not on Aunt Jen’s or Aunt Chrissy’s level, but it’s good. It’s not even my mama’s, but it’s close enough.”

I chuckled. She always bragged on her people. I’d only visited the diner a couple of times, but the food was really good. She wasn’t gassing them up simply because they were family. When I looked up at her, she had her spoon extended to me with a bit of cobbler on it. I gave her a one-sided smile and took it into my mouth. My eyes never left hers as I slowly pulled it off the spoon. Her cheeks reddened.

It didn’t help she was high-yella like her father and older brother. She would never be able to hide shit around me because her face always gave her emotions away. As I chewed, her eyebrows lifted, I assumed waiting for me to say what I thought of it. I gave her a slight smile and said, “It’s okay. I’ve had better. Like you said, it’s still good though.”

She smiled and finished it off as I ate my food. Once I’d gotten my fill, I asked, “So what’s up tonight? You wanna go out for drinks? I saw this sports bar on my way here.”

“Sure. Umm… question. When did you get here? Have you been following me all week?”

“You just thought to ask that question?”

I chuckled as she shrugged. “Yeah. I was just so happy to see you, I didn’t even think about that.”

“You share your location with me. You forgot? I can always find out where you are, KD.”

“Damn. That was years ago. I forgot all about that. I can’t believe you still have me on there. I figured you would have deleted it by now.”

“Just because you dropped a nigga like he had COVID, don’t mean I was petty enough to do the same to you.”

She laughed. “Like you had COVID? Really, Rhodes?”

“I mean, I’m just saying.”

I chuckled as she gathered her things and slowly shook her head. “Whatever. I have to get back to work. So, I’ll see you later?”

“Mm-hmm. Can’t wait.”

I stood from my seat and helped her from hers. She smiled up at me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I slightly lifted her as she giggled. When I lowered her, I went for it and kissed her beautiful lips, gently tugging her bottom one into my mouth. When she pulled away, she cleared her throat. Her face was red. I slowly shook my head, waiting for her to look at me.

When she did, she quickly turned away when her eyes met mine. She was about to walk away, but I gently grabbed her arm. “Karima, why you acting like you don’t know me, baby? You know I want you, and now that you’ve told me that you’re attracted to me, too, I just wanna be full steam ahead.”

“I know. I just have to get my mind to adjust. I still see you as my friend. It feels a little weird to kiss you that way. I’m sorry.”

“No apology necessary. I get it. Be careful, baby. See you tonight.”

She smiled and nodded, then left me standing there watching her leave.

* * *

“If you don’t shut that shit up, nigga!” Karima said, then laughed loudly.

Baby girl was feeling lovely. Shiiiid, I was too. We’d been here for nearly two hours, talking about old times. Hell, I was ready to make some new memories. She didn’t seem to be on the same wave, but I was happy she was relaxed though. She ordered another shot of tequila as I lifted my eyebrows. She was gon’ be pissy drunk by the time we left. “KD, you sure you need another shot?”

“Yeah. This will most likely be my last one.”

Suddenly, she broke out in tears. I frowned and quickly put my arms around her. “KD, what’s wrong, baby? You gon’ make yourself throw up.”

“I’m homesick. I’ve only been here a week, and I hate it here.”

I kissed her forehead. “I’m here now though. I’m gonna make you forget how much you hate it here. I know I can’t replace your family, but I would like to think I hold alilweight.”

She gave me a soft smile as she stared up at me. “What would I do without you, Rosewood?”

I leaned over and kissed her lips. “You’d probably be on a flight home tomorrow instead of spending the day with me.”

She lowered her head for a moment, then stared back up into my eyes and said, “Make love to me, Rhodes.”

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