Page 48 of My Only

I shook my head at myself.

“You know what’s interesting?” I asked.

“What?” he whispered against the back of my neck.

I turned to look at him over my shoulder. “You’ve been too busy to go furniture shopping with me, but you had time to pick out that ugly piece of art.”

“Baby, it’s not ugly.”

“You’re right, my bad.” I smirked. “It would have to look ten times better to qualify as ugly.”

He dropped his jaw, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

That’s when it hit me.

This was our first real disagreement.

I inhaled a deep breath, then stood, turning to face him.

“This is our first ‘fight,’” I said with finger quotes.

He smiled, then licked his lips. “Wanna go fuck it out? You know… as a resolution?”

I laughed, moving closer to shove his shoulder. “I have a better idea.”

“What?”

“We’re going to buy the furniture you keep telling me you have no time to get.”

He turned to his computer screen again. “Fine. We’ll just order it online as soon as I wrap this?—”

“Nope.” I shook my head. “It’s still early. We’re going to the furniture store.”

“Huh?”

“Huh?” I mocked, matching his deep voice. “We are going to a showroom so I can see it in person. I need to see it and feel it, and since you like to drop money on ugly things, we’re going to redirect that energy.”

I pointed toward the hallway. “I’m gonna go put my sneakers on?—”

“Oh, you mean right now?” he questioned.

“Mm-hmm.”

He pointed at the screen. “Baby, I’m doing something right now.”

“Yeah, I know.” I smiled. “You’re about to get ready so we can go to the furniture store.”

Hassani stared at me, his light eyes unblinking.

I held his gaze, not blinking either, letting a sweet smile pull at my lips.

He inhaled deeply, then exhaled through his nose. “I’ll start the car.”

I smiled wider.

He licked his lips, then shook his head. “Damn.” He kissed his teeth and stood next. “That smile will do it every time, I swear.”

Hassani swaggered up to me, looping an arm around my head, pulling me into a gentle headlock.

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