Page 3 of Going for Three

“When I secure that, you’re going to be driving me around for a year.”

He chuckled. “Man, whatever.”

I knew he didn’t believe me, but I was confident I’d get what I wanted. Besides, our conversation was keeping me distracted from what took place at the game. The last thing I wanted to do was think about what was said. I wasn’t ready to face that truth.

Flippingmy hair over my shoulder, I quickly popped out my hip and put the most vicious curve in my back. Lifting my Asian-inspired umbrella higher in the air, I protected myself from the downpour of rain. Once I was set in place, I used the hidden remote I was holding to begin snapping pictures. I kept the pose while changing my facial expressions for about twenty frames. At least one was sure to give what I was looking for.

I inhaled the refreshing scent of rain and smiled. Rainy days were my absolute favorite. While everyone saw doom and gloom, I personally saw renewal, joy, and hope. I could literally feel it in the air, wrapping my body in a blanket of serenity. That’s why I was out here taking pictures. I had the perfect outfit, and my hairwas freshly laid. I couldn’t let a perfect photo opportunity go to waste.

Walking back to my camera, I quickly bent down to review the photos I’d taken. Just as I thought, there were more than enough to use in my final lineup. After unscrewing the camera from the tripod, I quickly shifted it to video mode then folded the tripod up to tuck under my arms. I slid the remote to my camera in my pocket so I wouldn’t lose it again. They could be hard to keep up with at times. I would know. I was on my fifth one.

I ran my hand over my long ponytail to make sure there were no stray hairs before turning the camera on. Because of the flip screen that allowed me to see myself, I could tell I was in perfect frame for the sign on the building behind me to be seen.

“Okay, my SweetHarts, your girl just finished snapping some fire pics for the Gram. Even solo dolo, I’ma get the job done. You gotta know that about me by now.” I laughed at myself with a shake of my head. “Anyway, I am at Maison du Soleil. Ready for a nice, fluffy, warm, and buttery croissant. And before you ask, of course, I’m going to have coffee, too.”

Spinning quickly, I rushed to the door and yanked it open. I inhaled the invigorating scent of coffee beans and instantly felt at ease. My foot lifted to carry me to the counter when suddenly, I was sliding across the floor. My camera and tripod went one way, and I went another. I slammed into a hard surface that sent my body flying backward.

“Sss. Fuck,” someone hissed then cursed.

I squeezed my eyes shut in preparation for my inevitable fall, but it never came. Slowly, I peeked through my lashes to see what was happening. The first thing I noticed was his dazzling, diamond-studded grin. The second thing I noticed was the smell of his cologne. Every single note latched to the air between us, drowning me in his essence. The third was how much more handsome he was in person. The red was working well for him.

“You sure know how to make an entrance,” he teased in a deep, sexy tone.

I blinked twice, trying to gain my bearings. “Thanks for catching me.”

I steadied my breathing as he helped me stand on my own. He was standing so close his breath tickled my cheek. I glanced down at his arms still wrapped around my body.

“Um, you can let go of me now.”

He shook his head. “I’on really want to, though. You’re soft, you smell good, and I kinda like holding you in my arms.”

I instantly became disgusted, realizing he was like every other man that was only able to see my beauty.

“Ew, boy, get the fuck off me.” At the same time, I spoke and lifted my arms to break free of his hold. “No free feels.”

He patted his pocket with a wink. “What’s it gon’ cost me ‘cause I got it on me.”

I glared at him with a roll of my eyes. “You don’t have enough money in the world to buy me.”

“You sure about that? I’ve seen some of the niggas you fuck with, and they’re in a lower tax bracket.”

I took the time to really look at him. Kianis was well over six foot five with an athletic, muscular build from years of professional basketball training. His medium-brown skin was well kept for a man. He had sharp facial features, high cheekbones, and short, neatly trimmed hair that was curly at the top with audacious red hair.

His dark brown eyes were a mixture of intensity yet playfulness. His facial hair was also as cleanly kept as the hair on his head. The scar above his right eyebrow created a natural Soulja Boy slit in his long and thick hairs. I think I read in an article that it came from playing a rough street ball game when he was a preteen. I liked the edge it gave him but that tattoo… It had to be the most unique detail about his appearance. He had tobe a warrior to get the wordsI AMin bold letters across the front of his throat.

The longer I stared at him, the slicker my hands became. My heart rate increased. So did the amount of saliva in my mouth. Even though he was nice to look at, he was too much for me. I literally wouldn’t survive another bad boy. Instead of replying to his smart remark about my previously failed and public relationships, I gave him the finger.

The image of me sliding across the café reminded me of my camera. I rushed over to where I spotted it lying on the floor.

“No, no, nooooooo,” I whined, seeing the shattered glass. “I just got this one.”

I’d completely forgotten about Kianis until he spoke from behind me. “Shit, don’t trip. I can buy you another one shawty.”

My top lip lifted and twitched.

“I don’t need your money,” I spat over my shoulder. “I’m very capable of replacing my own camera.”

I hated when men threw money at me because they almost always expected it to earn them some cool points. Around these parts, that wasn’t enough to survive, and that’s why none of them lasted.

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