Page 71 of Curvy Girl Summer

I looked down the bar to see how close Ahmad was to us. “I’m not interested.”

“You aren’t interested. You? With your big back? Aren’t interested? In me?” He let out a scornful laugh. “I was the one givingyoua chance.”

“And now you can take your chance and give it to someone else. Because I’mactuallynot interested in you.”

His face hardened and he stood up abruptly, almost tipping his barstool over. “I didn’t want you anyway, fat bitch,” he snarled.

“Yes, you did,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

I knew it was coming.

Fat bitchwas a go-to term when people with bruised egos lashed out—especially if they’re attacking anyone my size. And even though I felt it coming, the public setting made it worse.

“But this fat bitch doesn’t want you,” I continued.

“Whatever,” he spat before stomping away.

Anger and embarrassment enflamed my cheeks as I glanced around to see if anyone overheard the interaction. Ahmad was already on his way down to my end of the bar, ignoring the people waiting to place an order.

“What happened?” he asked.

I nodded, forcing a smile. “I’m fine. I’m just going to head home.”

“What happened?” he repeated, more forcefully.

I hooked my thumb toward the people waiting for him or Asia to take their orders. “You have customers.”

His eyes pierced mine. “Did he touch you?”

“No, he just said some shit I didn’t appreciate, and I told him I wasn’t interested. He got mad and left.”

His eyes pinged my face. “What did he say?”

“It doesn’t matter.” I shook my head. “We just weren’t compatible, and he didn’t like that I was the one to point that out.”

“The next time some shit goes down, you let me know. That’s the whole point of this.”

I nodded.

“I said I was going to look out for you, so you have to stop being stubborn and let me,” he continued roughly.

“Excuse me!” a woman called out, trying to get Ahmad’s attention.

Ignoring her, he held my gaze, causing my stomach to knot. “Okay?”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“You want a drink?”

“Nah, I think I’m going to head out.”

He opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. Assessing me quietly, he nodded. “Okay. See you Friday?”

I gave him a small smile as I got up. “See you Friday.”

I honestly didn’t know if I was going to see Ahmad on Friday. I was close to giving up on the TenderFish app after the string of dates I’d dealt with. I had a lot on my mind, and giving up on dating, on the boyfriend, on the yacht was at the forefront.

“Aaliyah,” Ahmad called after me. “What are you doing on Monday?”

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