Page 98 of Chemistry: The Chemist

“I’m well.”

“If you look to the right, you’ll see the Holy Woman statue. Straight ahead is the Cambridge Connect, the longest, highest bridge in Clarke. It leads to three cities in Huffington. One bridge, three cities. She’s a beauty.”

“She is.”

“Cambridge Clearwater River is just beneath her. As hard as it is to believe, the water is drinkable. Scoop a cup and you can see right through it.”

“You feel so far away,” she said into her headset, staring daggers in the side of my face.

“I’m not, Choc. I’m right here.”

I extended my arm and placed my hand on her knee. She rested her hand on top of mine.

“Right here.”

Her body relaxed against my palm. Whatever was troubling her pressed forward, giving her a chance to enjoy the moment, enjoy me. That’s all I wanted for us both. With time, she grew more comfortable and began pointing out familiar structures herself. We’ve delved into the history of our city and others we passed through on our route.

Every wonder of Huffington that was in our path, I was sure to give Eden an aerial view of. We arrived in Berkeley unscathed and in one piece. Fresh off the plane, we piled into the Bentayga and headed for my residence in The Highlands.

The clock struck eight before I could get a grip on time. Nevertheless, tardiness wasn’t excusable, so I was dressed and waiting when Eden descended the stairs in a pair of pants that widened tremendously at the bottom. Her shirt was silk, cut deep down the middle, and tucked in her pants. The risk of boob exposure added a bit of excitement to our night.

I’d have a time watching and waiting for the moment it announced itself and declared the end of our night. Because at the moment, I wouldn’t be able to stop my dick from tearing through my briefs in an attempt to pleasure Eden.

Red soles added character to her attire. She was the prettiest. Her hair was pushed behind her ears, hanging down her back with swirls and swooshes lining her face. Not a hair was out of place. The new earrings I’d gifted her upon arrival were perfect, and so was the clutch that was part of a large wardrobe that was prepared in her absence. It would remain at the house in The Highlands for our impromptu visits.

“Sorry, I took so long. My hair,” she explained, standing in front of me.

“No need to explain, Choc. It was worth the wait.”

“You like it?”

“I do.”

Bashfully, she dipped her head. I lifted her chin. “Let’s ride.”

Hand in hand, we exited. Shortly after, we were cruising through the streets of Berkeley, having ditched the driver.

My city. It didn’t matter how long I resided in Clarke, Berkeley would be home forever. The nostalgia was disheartening. The memories made my time in the city more complicated than it needed to be. But, I was determined to diminish their effects this time around. Eden was with me. Things would be different.

My phone lit up the cupholder. Choc’s eyes were on it before I could see who it was calling. It was becoming abundantly clear she’d experienced things she hadn’t talked about, yet. Someone had led her to believe men were cheaters, all of them. She was responding to trauma. It wasn’t her fault, but I wanted the head of the nigga whose fault it was.

“Who fucked with your heart?”

She whipped her neck in my direction. “Hm?”

“Hm. You heard me, Choc. A name.”

“Chemistry, you can’t go shooting everyone I’ve crossed paths with.”

“You really don’t fucking know me.” I scoffed. “A name.”

I picked up the phone, seeing it was Pops. I didn’t want to keep him waiting, but she wasn’t off the hook, either. If she didn’t give me a name, I’d start digging myself.

“Pops, good evening.”

“Heard you’re in town and haven’t been by to see your old man. You’re not too big for me to lay you across my knee.”

“I got big guns now.”

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