Page 14 of And Everything In Between

“Most people ain’t me,” she replied, a small smirk playing at her lips.

“Figured that out already.”

When he reached to adjust the volume, his fingers found hers on the console. Not entirely an accident—he was readingher energy, gauging her interest. A whisper of contact, but enough to send a fuse up her arm and make her shift in her seat.

“Emon warn you about me?” Paige asked, keeping her voice light, curious.

Giovanni let out a low, rough chuckle, still not looking at her.

“He did.” Giovanni paused. “But not the way you think. Said you ain’t for the bullshit. Said you the type that makes a man either boss up or bow out.”

Paige arched a brow. “Smart man. Hopefully, you listen to him.”

“I don’t need anybody to tell me what I’m looking at. I know aone-of-onewhen I see it.”

The words made her ears perk up and ring. Paige turned her head, pretending to study the passing scenery, as if the heat crawling up her neck came from the sun and not his mouth. But the truth was, she’d felt this brewing since the first time they’d locked eyes at Blake and Emon’s. Giovanni was Emon’s first cousin. Blake was hers. That made the tension between them feel even more undeniable.

Their circles had been overlapping for months, awkward hellos, brief nods, shared glances across rooms. They’d been orbiting each other like planets pulled by gravity, never quite colliding until now.

“You think you know me off a few looks?”

“Not at all,” Giovanni replied. “But I know energy when it calls mine back. And your energy been ringing my line for a minute.”

Paige went still. His words stripped her bare, sweet, steady, and full of things she wasn’t sure she deserved. She cleared her throat, trying to reset.

“I’m not lookin’ for what you’re lookin’ for,” she said, tossing it out like she could read his mind.

Giovanni’s smile deepened, full of something wicked and patient.

“And what exactly do you think I’m looking for, Ms. Bishop?”

She gave a shrug, nonchalant. “Whatever you think you see... it ain’t up for grabs. If it ain’t dick and fun I don’t need it.”

Giovanni didn’t argue. He wasn’t going to give it any more thought or conversation on the subject because they’d see. “You hungry?”

Paige shot a side eye his way. The change of subject threw her off-balance. She was waiting for pressure. None came. She swallowed her thoughts and decided to play the game, however, he was playing it.

“A little.” She tried to sound breezy, even though her stomach had been hollering since they left the fairgrounds. She’d picked at a smoked turkey leg, but it didn’t hit like she thought it would.

Giovanni flicked the turn signal, the low click mimicking her beating heart. Don Toliver’s Glock bumped low between them. He’d turned down into the old part of town where the concrete was cracked from years of neglect. No fancy spots tonight, he’d chosen a Coupeville classic. The dingy building flashed FISH - WINGS - FRIES in red neon lights as he helped her from the car. She noticed how the men posted up outside nodded as Giovanni stepped out, their recognition immediate.

Inside smelled like heaven wrapped in grease-stained paper, the air thick with perfectly seasoned fried food and decades of history. She was with a hood nigga through and through.

Paige leaned against the counter, pretending to read the menu while feeling Giovanni’s presence heat the space behind her. He stepped in close, his chest brushing her bare back, when he pointed at the board. The graze was nothing, but his breathon her ear caused a little ripple down her spine and the hair on her arm to stand.

“Six-piece hot honey, extra crispy,” he said breath teasing her ear. “That sound like you?”

Her laugh cracked out before she could stop it, full, warm, and genuine. She turned around and found herself caught between his arms. His eyes were beautiful, a light brown that made the dark tattoos on the side of his face fade into the background.

“You a psychic now?” she teased, but she was a little shocked.

“I don’t know,” Giovanni murmured, smirking. “You kinda got heat and honey all in your face.”

The older woman behind the counter caught the exchange, popping her gum and shaking her head.

“Baby, whatever y’all got going on here is working. Keep this one, G,” she called out, grabbing a to-go box.

Giovanni smiled, showing his perfect teeth. His cologne was planting seeds in her brain. They’d be the reason this grew into something more. He smelled so damn good and looked even better. His full lips were practically begging her to pull his face down to hers. She was losing her mind a little, and they hadn’t even left the chicken spot yet.

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