Page 18 of Mine

My eyes rolled as I groaned. “I don’t need you playing matchmaker for me, Jason. That’s embarrassing.”

“Fuck allat. You my sister and it’s my job to protect you in all ways. That includes your heart. Sheed is my best friend and he’s a good man. Give him a chance, sis.”

“I agree,” Paisley said, wrapping her arm around me. “You know how Jason is coming behind me. Don’t you want a man to treat you the same way? Just see where his head and heart are at before you completely write him off, big sis.”

My breath came out shaky as Jason wrapped an arm around me as well, and they both hugged me.

“Alright, alright, but don’t expect anything. He’s fine but I’m not looking for anything right now. Besides, he lives in LA, right? I’ve never been in a long distance relationship.”

“Don’t even worry about that,” Jason said with a grin, as if he knew something I didn’t. “Just give my boy a chance.”

I couldn’t bring myself to verbally agree, so I nodded. I hadn’t dated or had sex with anyone since Houston, and though I admitted I wanted a relationship, I was in no rush to date again. Leaving the love birds to continue engaging with their guests, I headed outside by the fountain, grabbing a glass of red wine from the tray a server held on the way. I was so deep in my thoughts I didn’t realize I wasn’t alone until I heard someone clear their throat. I looked to the right and saw Rasheed.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know anyone else was out here,” I said, standing to leave.

“You gon’ be trouble, I can see that.”

I didn’t bother turning around, but I did ask, “What makes you say that?”

“You keep running from me.”

“I’m not running. I just… have to go.”

Rasheed chuckled. “Yeah, aight. I’ll chase you, Presly. You can run.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I took a chug of the wine before quickly making my way inside. He thought I was trouble, but he was the one. And I needed to stay the hell away from him.

The Next Morning

I vowed to emotionally barricade myself until after the wedding. Emotions were already increased during these seasons of love, and I didn’t want my happiness for my sister to be transferred as feelings for Rasheed or anyone else for that matter. I wasn’t here to make a love connection. I was here to support my sister, avoid chaos, and look damn good in all the pictures.

My plan shattered slightly when I went into the kitchen and saw Rasheed making pancakes in the kitchen like this was a damn Hallmark movie. We had a whole catering staff, yet here he was flipping pancakes because Paisley liked hers hot and crispy, and the chef was busy making waffles. How could I not find a man who catered to my sister sexy? He was already showing me he had a similar trait to Jason—one that madethem servers and helpful to literally any and everyone. Since that was often the role I had in my relationships, I always found it refreshing and attractive when I found it in someone else.

“Mornin’.” I greeted everyone who was standing around in the kitchen.

They all said good morning, but when Rasheed’s eyes locked on me, he smiled and said, “My sweet trouble.”

The name was cute, but it wouldn’t make me melt. Couldn’t make me melt. And why in the hell was he always so smiley? I couldn’t stop myself from asking him that, which made him laugh. He licked his lips as he returned his attention to the pancakes while saying, “You’d prefer I be mad?”

“I don’t know. It’s just… weird.”

“You’re not used to seeing a black man smile?”

“Not as much as you.”

“Hmm.”

“Hmm what?”

His head shook as he plated the pancakes. “That tells me something very important about the men you used to date.”

“What’s that?” I asked skeptically.

“That you’re used to dealing with men who don’t like women, or men in survival mode. I’m happy and healed, sweetheart. No trauma. Just love and good vibes over here.”

He’d rendered me speechless. Didn’t seem to matter, because he grabbed the plate and syrup and walked away. He did, however, stop long enough to drop a kiss to my forehead that instantly pebbled my nipples and say, “Good morning, by the way.”

It wasn’t until he was out of the kitchen that I felt strong enough to remove myself from the trance he’d placed me in. I went to the drink station and poured myself a cup of coffee before going to the sunroom. There were pastries there, so I grabbed a blueberry muffin and small fruit cup before gettingcomfortable. We didn’t have anything planned until tonight, so I wanted to finish reading while I had the chance. I would have stayed in my room, but I didn’t want to appear antisocial.

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