Page 80 of Falling Into Gravity

“Everything on you is my color.” He stole a piece off her plate. She slapped his hand.

“You grew up with siblings?” Aku asked, cracking another egg.

“Only child, but Crescent Park taught me how to snatch what I want.”

She arched a brow. “Stealing bread off a hot skillet is hardly thug behavior.”

He shrugged. “Practice.” Then he added, “I ever tell you my favorite cereal was whatever my Granny hid on top of the fridge? Stealin’ it made shit sweeter.”

She laughed, there was truth hiding in that throwaway line. “I was the kid with two bowls of everything. Mama stayed trying to fatten us up.”

He watched her hands whisk. “Silver-spoon shorty.”

“Don’t do that,” she said, not angry but more of a warning. “I was raised right, not spoiled sour.”

“Noted.” He leaned closer. She smelled like vanilla extract and lavender. “Tell me something else regular about you.”

She thought for a few seconds. “I sleep with a light on, had night terrors after an earthquake when I was ten. You?”

“I count steps,” he revealed another beautiful piece of his mind. “Like stairs, always know the number…keeps my brain busy.”

She paused, surprised by the softness. “What’s my staircase count then?”

“You got an elevator, but 210 up to the loft and 241 down to the garage.”

Aku spun around, her hands touching his lips. “Your mind is beautiful.”

“Watch out,” he laughed, blushing hard. “Hurry up with the food,” he laughed when he dodged her slap.

It didn’t take Aku much longer. She had the food plated and went against her rules by eating in the living room on her favorite couch.

“About this date…Where would you take me then? Hypothetically.” Aku chewed her food.

“Aquarium, late night tour,” he said without hesitation nodding his head at his own idea. “That shit sound hella fire.”

Aku tossed her head back with an eye roll.

“Then dinner at that rooftop tapas down the street. After that, Crescent Park by midnight—show you where I played ball till the cops shut the court lights off.”

“That’s three dates in one night.”

“Time moves funny around you,” he said, swallowing the last bit of eggs. “I don’t wanna waste it.”

“Finish your plate, philosopher,” she said, collecting dishes. “I got two fittings this afternoon. You have codes to write or corners to monitor?”

“Neither,” he said, stretching those broad shoulders. “App’s stable. Ops been quiet. I’m free.”

She licked her lips, mind racing with possibilities that had nothing to do with fittings. “Wanna tag along? Clients love eye candy with a mysterious past.”

He grinned slow. “Long as mysterious don’t end with a mugshot.”

“Can’t promise.” She was already texting Niah:Make sureValentinosends their pieces.

He slid behind her, arms wrapping around her waist.

“I’m serious about that date,” he murmured against her neck.

“When?”

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