I nodded, shifting my gaze to Ahmad, who was laughing loudly as he put on a show preparing a cocktail. “Okay,” I sighed. “I’m glad we got a chance to meet, but let’s not waste each other’s time. Let’s call it a night.”
His eyes were as big as saucers. “Are you serious?”
I nodded. “I’m very serious.”
“Wow, really? I don’t understand.”
I didn’t respond.
There was no reason to respond.
He didn’t get it, and I didn’t care enough to explain further. Instead, I stared at our reflection in the mirror until he stood up.
Looking me up and down, he leaned forward and inhaled deeply. “When you get over yourself, come find me. I’d still fuck the shit out of you. Fat bitches have the best pussy. And you look like—”
“You good?” Ahmad asked me, interrupting the bullshit coming out of Silas’s mouth.
I gave him a look, but I nodded.
He shifted his eyes to Silas. “What were you saying?”
Even though the bar separated them, the color drained from Silas’s face, and he took a step back. He lifted his hands, and his mouth opened and closed a few times. “I-I-I was just say-saying good night.”
Anger flashed in Ahmad’s eyes as they narrowed. “Yeah, I think that’s for the best.”
“She’s all yours,” Silas muttered before walking away.
Ahmad glared at Silas’s retreating form until he shifted his attention to me. “You good?”
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t like that one.”
An amused smirk bent my lips. “Me either.”
“I came over because of the look on your face. I could see you weren’t feeling it, but then I got over here, and I caught the tail end of what he said and…” He shook his head. “He’s lucky I’m behind this bar.”
The protectiveness made me feel warm inside.
“Yeahhhhhhh.” I let the word stretch out in tired resignation. “But I was over him before he even got to the part you heard.”
“You looked like you were cool in the beginning. What happened?”
“We weren’t compatible.”
He stroked his chin. “You know what?”
“What?”
“I’m starting to think you’re the problem.”
Reeling, I felt my reaction consume my whole body. “What?!” I screeched.
“I’m just saying…” Grinning, he lifted his arms. “It’s just starting to look like it might be you. I mean,youare the common denominator.”
Reaching for a napkin, I crumpled it and threw it at him. “I can’t stand you!”
“Well, tell me what happened or I’m going to just have to assume you’re the problem.” He glanced at a man who was waiting to order. “Hold that thought,” he told me. When he came back, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Let’s hear it. Why weren’t you compatible with this one?”