Page 28 of Stay with Me

One I’m allowing myself to believe for now. It will come back to bite me later. I know it will, but for now as always, I’m too far under his spell to walk away just yet. It’s like taking a hit of a drug you know isn’t good for you but needing to have just one taste to hold you over.

“Good morning,” Knight breathed as I opened my eyes and looked up at him.

I snuggled closer to his warmth and placed a kiss on his chest. My way of saying good morning without blowing my morning breath on him. He leaned in to kiss my forehead and tugged me in closer, holding me securely in his warm embrace as if not wanting to let me go.

I closed my eyes and basked in the moment. Being pressed against his naked body felt right. If I didn’t have to go to work, I would have remained there all day.

“Girl, I’m so sorry. I got caught in traffic,” Sunny says, grabbing my attention and pulling me from my thoughts of this morning.

I look up to find her moving toward me in a cute sundress. She looks great as usual. Sunny is Black girl magic on any day of the week. Her brown skin always has a glow, and her smile is infectious.

We became fast friends because of that welcoming smile. Her parents gave her the perfect name. She brings the sun with her.

I stand and pull her into a hug. Some girls’ time will do me good this week. Spending time with Sunny will keep me from thinking about Knight.

“Oh my God, you’re glowing. I can’t ignore this all day. No wonder you were willing to have lunch with me and go shopping. Your ass has fallen back into Knight’s bed. I know that look when I see it,” Sunny says blowing up my last thought.

“Oh, hush up and mind your business,” I hiss, keeping a smile on my face to take out the sting of my words as I release her. “I had an opening in my schedule. Your timing was perfect. That’s why I’m here.”

“Mm-hmm. Sure. So you haven’t hooked up with Knight after that blind date?”

“This place has some great chicken salad. I’ll probably get the wrap,” I say as I return to my seat.

Sunny puts her purse down and takes her seat across from me. I pick up my menu and start to browse it. I hope she’ll take the hint. I don’t want to talk about Knight.

“So that’s how we’re going to play it?” she says crossing her arms over her chest.

“Oh, I love their gyros too.”

“Be like that if you want. I’m still team Knight anyway. You’re always happier when you two are messing around. I love him for you.”

I sigh. “Sunny, the purpose of a redirect is to change the topic. Not begin a one-sided conversation about it. Knight and I are family. We shouldn’t get involved.”

“Yet, you’re fucking him again. Honey, I’m here to tell you that excuse is lame. I saw the chemistry between the two of you. Maybe this time you can let yourself go and be happy.

“Stop fighting what your heart wants. He’s good for you. Be good to yourself.”

Thank God our waitress comes over, so I don’t have to reply. Sunny is the only person who knows about me and Knight. She’s always questioned why we aren’t more.

However, this is the first time she’s called bullshit on the in-law excuse. I guess watching me trudge around lonely for the last year has placed some truth serum into her water.

“I’ll have the lamb and chicken gyro. Thank you,” I say to the waitress.

“Can I have the same and a mimosa. As a matter of fact. Make that two, I’m not drinking by myself,” Sunny says and hands over her menu.

“I’ll get that order in, and I’ll bring your drinks right out,” the waitress says before she takes off.

Before Sunny can start to grill me again, I get a text from Knight. I look down at my phone with a grin on my lips. He went home yesterday and returned with a bigger bag to stay over.

A few of my things were missing from my closet this morning. I get the feeling he took them to his place for me to stay at his. I haven’t asked because I don’t want to dig into what that all means.

Knight: I’m making fajitas and margaritas tonight. I got board games and Netflix is waiting at mine. It will be fun.

Me: I have court tomorrow afternoon.

Knight: Which is why we’re staying the night at my place. I’ll pick you up later.

I don’t miss that he’s not asking. He’s telling me what’s going to happen. It’s sort of a turn on if I’m honest. He’s been doing that more lately.

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