Page 18 of Falling Into Gravity

From the back room, they heard a muffled laugh from Qamar, followed by Siasia’s voice. It wasn’t loud, but it was that playful, married-kind-of-flirty. Malik arched a brow.

“Sounds like they good,” he said.

“They always good,” Aku replied, leaning back. “They one of those couples that actually like each other still… so much more than love.”

“That’s a big difference,” he said.

She nodded. “I want that.”

“You could have that.”

“With who?” she laughed lightly, not really asking.

Malik didn’t answer. He just looked at her.

“What?” she asked, suddenly feeling like the air shifted.

“Nothing,” he said. “You just look good when you not trying too hard.”

“I’m never trying too hard.” She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “You always flirt like this?”

“Only when it feels like breathing.”

“You really need to step your game up, playboy.”

It was Malik’s turn to laugh. “You funny, Dorothy.”

Aku scrunched her face. She wanted to ask why he kept calling her Dorothy, but the sound of Qamar and Siasia giggling came down the hall caught her attention.

“Oh,” Siasia halted.

Qamar moved around her, trying to see what she was talking about. When he laid his eyes on Malik, he tilted his head. “The weed man?”

“Key,” Malik wiggled his nose to introduce himself. He had manners, but had to get a feel for niggas before he became too friendly. One wrong move could cost him his life.

Aku stood up. “Oh, umm, this is my friend.” It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. “He brought weed.” She waved the blunt in the air, begging her Uncle to act right with her eyes.

Siasia pushed forward first. “Hey, Key. I’m Siasia and this is my husband, Qamar.”

Qamar finally nodded his head in greeting, making his way to the pack on the kitchen counter.

Malik did the same, taking a seat on one of the fancy barstools.

“You label the sativa?” Qamar asked, inspecting.

“Right here,” Malik pointed, relaxing just a little. “Sia for daytime, Indi for night. The rest’s just hybrids depending on what you on.”

Qamar cracked a smile. “You sound like you really study this shit.”

“I do,” Malik nodded. “Ain’t just about rolling up. I like knowing what I’m putting in people’s bodies. My connect is the truth.”

Qamar gave a slow nod. “Respect. That’s rare.”

Once Qamar picked the strain of his choosing, he flicked the flame to the end of the blunt, his head flowing into a soft nod, complimenting the flavor. “Damn!” His eyes went to Malik and he slapped hands with him. “I’m fuckin’ with this.”

Malik looked at Aku, who gave him that smile again - soft but confident.

The silence settled in again, but this time it wasn’t stiff. It was easy…comfortable…familiar even.

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