Page 46 of Big Nick Energy

I made a face. “Why would you think that?”

“I noticed a vibe between y’all at the library but then I just saw”—he pointed to Nick and Evie looking perfect together— “and I wasn’t sure if everything is cool or not. I’ll back off if you’re still interested in him. But if not, and you wanted to see what was up with me…” He opened his arms wide. “I’m right here.”

“Isn’t Nick your friend?”

“Yeah, that’s my boy! That’s why I’m making sure there’s nothing between you two before I try to get your number.”

The room erupted in loud cheers as Mitchell and I stared at one another. He looked at me expectantly and I looked at him in disbelief.

“Nick and I hit it off,” I assured him.

He held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, my bad. Just checking.” He backed away slowly. “If anything changes…” He put his thumb and pinky near the side of his face and mouthed, “Call me.”

Laughing, I shook my head.

Nick was talking to Evie and homecoming royalty of the past and I was in awe of his. For someone who didn’t love crowds and small talk, he had a certain air about him as he engaged. It was remarkable how he always seemed to be in his element.

While he did his thing, I left to go get a drink.

“Hey! I met you earlier, didn’t I? After the game?” Michelle asked as she came up to me on my way to the VIP section.

I recognized the woman that didn’t acknowledge me at all when she came to speak to Evie.

“Hey,” I replied with a confused smile. “Yeah, after the game.”

“You were walking with Evie and Nick! It’s so cool to see them rekindling things.”

Rekindling things?

I gave her a look. “Is that what’s happening?”

“Yeah! They’re both single at the same time and it’s inevitable,” she told me. “I wasn’t sure how the two of you knew each other, but I just thought, as a friend, I should let you know.”

“Noted.”

“I mean, look.” She pointed in the direction of Nick and Evie. “Truly, it’s inevitable.”

“I guess we’ll see,” I told her before moving away from her. “Take care.”

The tight smile on my face fell as I made my way to the bar in the VIP section. SONs and their dates were everywhere but it didn’t take long for me to get my drink. As I stood off to the side, I watched the entire crowd break into a line dance. I scanned the crowd for Nick. My phone vibrated in my clutch.

Nick Williams: I can’t seem to find my date.

Asha James: Give me a description and I’ll help you find her.

I could see that he was typing, but a couple of minutes passed before I got a response.

Nick Williams: She’s tall, but not that tall. She has beautiful brown skin that I can’t wait to touch. A soft body I can’t wait to press up against. A big brain I can’t wait to explore. Brown eyes that I want to stare into. A sexy mouth that says and does amazing things. Long braids I look forward to pulling. A big ass I plan to smack. Big titties I want to suck on. A tight pussy I’m desperate to slide into. A pretty face I’m looking at right now.

My eyes flicked up and looked into the crowd. It took me all of thirty seconds to find him. And my heart skipped a beat.

It wasn’t just the lust that I saw in his gaze. It was the way his dark brown eyes focused on me and me alone. It was the way he bit down on his bottom lip when he looked at me. It was the expression on his face as he got closer.

I liked him.

I liked him a lot.

And the way he looked at me made me feel like he felt the same.

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