Page 15 of Absolute Fulfillment
“Bet.” I didn’t know how to respond to that, so that was my only response. Breakfast was good and the conversation was different for me. I wasn’t used to spending time getting to know a woman, but she seemed to really take this friend shit to heart. For now I didn’t know how to handle that. Only time would tell. After we left the restaurant, I drove toward her crib because as much as I would’ve liked to spend more time in her face I had to get into my business. I hadn’t been called but I still liked to be on site handling my business.
When I pulled up, I felt her eyes before I looked at her. “Thank you, Rennix. I enjoyed breakfast.”
Her smile was contagious, so I smiled too. “Good.”
“Alright b?—”
She was about to get out of the car, but I stopped her and grabbed her arm, pulling her back toward me. I was a passenger in my body as my hand went from her arm to her neck, pulling her face closer to mine.
“Renn—” she started, but I was already speaking.
“That ain’t how we say goodnight or goodbye.”
By then I felt her pressing her neck against my hand to get closer. Her lips against mine feeling like they belonged created some shit in me I damn sure wasn’t used to.Need… and the realization of unfulfillment.
Chapter 3
Caya
After Rennix dropped me off at home, I allowed myself time to wind down and just think. But before I knew it, I felt like a fire had been lit under me. I found myself in my office looking for the plans I had when I first wanted to open my own shop. I still wanted to, but the complacency of being able to care for my son and pay my bills settled me. I didn’t want to settle anymore. I had saved more than enough money and had my degree, so now was as perfect a time as any.
I didn’t realize I had been doing my research so much until I heard keys in the lock of my front door. That was one of two people, either my sister or my mother. Being that my mother was halfway across the country with my son, I knew it was Cylah. She was in her third year at the university about thirty minutes away, which meant I saw her more often than not. If Cylah didn’t need a couple dollars, then she needed her hair done. And if she didn’t need either of those, then she was here to raid my closet or kitchen.
“Sisterrrr!” Cylah’s voice filled the halls of my home as soon as she entered.
“In the office, lil mama,” I called out, looking up from the computer at my sister who appeared in the doorway.
“Oh, you look cute,” she complimented, walking further into my office and taking a seat on the massive beanbag to the left of my desk.
“Thank you. To what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked, pulling my glasses off and setting them on the desk next to my computer. I closed my computer and focused all my attention on her. Cylah looked just like me, except she was a bit lighter with big, babydoll eyes. They held so much innocence that one look at her and you just wanted to protect her from all this world had to offer.
“I just needed a break from campus. Shit’s too hectic.”
I nodded, aware that it was finals. She was almost out for the summer, but her last class, an eighteen-week course unlike all the other fifteen-week ones, was dragging. “I get it, but you’re almost done for the summer.
“Yeah, I’m counting down the days. I told Mama I was staying in the city with you, and shockingly, she didn’t throw a fit. She was surprisingly calm.”
I chuckled. “That’s because she needs a break from your ass too. And don’t you do this every year?”
“Not true. You know I’m her favorite, but I think she has a lil boyfriend.”
I shrugged. “Which would explain why she doesn’t call me as much. She needs somebody though.”
Cylah’s eyes bounced between me and her phone before she spoke again. “If you say so. I just can’t think of Mama like that. Just like I can’t think of you like that. Speaking of, who was that man in your bed when I called you last night?”
“My friend, lil nosy ass girl.”
“A friend who shares your bed. You yourself told me that the ones you share you?—”
“I know what I told you, but Rennix is different. He’s actually my friend.” I hated that I constantly caught myself defending the platonic nature of our friendship to everybody, including myself. I mean… the attraction was there, but he wanted one thing and I wanted another.
“Mhmm. He was cute though, in that stained Chipotle bag type of way.”
“Girl, what?” I was confused by her poor ass use of a metaphor.
“Means a tatted man, Cay.” She giggled at my ignorance.
“Also, are you babysitting Adonis in the mornings this summer or do I need to look for a sitter?” I wasn’t naïve enough to think that just because she was staying with me she was a live-in babysitter. Cylah was young with a life of her own.
