Page 6 of Protector Book Boyfriend

“Tomorrow? At my parents’ diner? You remember it?”

“Yeah—Baxter’s Bistro, right?”

He nods. “Cool. I mean, good. I mean, thank you.”

He flinches as I watch the full-on cringe moment take over his entire body. I laugh softly, remembering the sweet, thoughtful young guy he was back in the day. I nod.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Asa. It’ll be... fun to catch up.”

“Totally,” he says, as the cute and plump, brown skinned, bookish diva who's been watching him and only him this whole time tugs on his arm. “It’s getting late,” she says genuinely. “She’s gotta go so...” We glance at each other. She’s obviously in her twenties and cares deeply for him. “This is Sable Green, one of my nearest and dearest,” Asa says. He introduces us proudly. I smile at Sable; she returns the gesture.

“Well, nice seeing you both.” I flash a grin at him as Sable pulls him through the exit.

Chapter Three

Asa

I FIDGET WITH THE HEM of my shirt as I pace in front of the counter at the bistro. The rain’s come out of nowhere in the last five minutes and each second, I waste here waiting for Porsha to show up. Something could be wrong. The landscape has changed since the last time Porsha lived in Trinity Falls, and I worry she might find it difficult to navigate an area she might no longer be familiar with.

I’m surrounded by the chatter and clinking of dishes, nervous as shit at how this brunch date will go. I’ve never dated a woman with a child before and if I’m honest, I can’t even imagine how I could fit into their lives. Porsha and I don’t know each other anymore and though there’s a sense of familiarity between us, at this point in our lives, we’re virtual strangers. There’re so many questions I have. Too many to throw at her all at once, no matter how badly I want to know every detail about what her life’s been like over the past 10 or eleven years. I remind myself that I gotta be fucking patient.

I’m leaning on the lunch counter now, my legs hooked at the ankle. Every few seconds, I glance up at the door, hoping to glimpse her walking in. The rain continues, my chest rising and falling, anticipation building. I watch the drizzle pick up, clocking the downpour as soon as I hear the boom of thunder ripple through the sky and move toward the diner’s doors.

“Hon,” Mom calls to me over the chime of the bell over the bistro’s entrance. “Don’t worry. Porsha’s a capable girl.”

I stop in my tracks, frustrated, glancing over my shoulder. “I know, Mom,” I say, sighing impatiently.

“She’ll be here,” my mother assures me, while flashing an encouraging smile. She returns to the bustling of orders being taken and sent out behind the lunch counter.

The door swings open, and Porsha enters. She looks just as stunning as I remember. She has a striking presence, with rich, deep brown skin and dark chocolate eyes. But, there’s a hint of sadness in them that makes me want to protect her. Her face is beautifully structured with high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and full lips highlighted in bold color. Porsha’s hair is a crown of thick curls, styled in soft elegant twist. She radiates sensuality and draws me in deeper with her charm and undeniable allure. My heart leaps in my chest, but before I can fully take her in, my eyes scan behind her, searching for her daughter, my heart dropping when I realize she’s not with her.

I greet her with a smile as I walk over and wrap my arms round her sexy and voluminous body. Her body tenses as I resist the urge to lift her into my arms. Instead, I keep her at a respectable distance.

“Hi,” I whisper in her ear as she pulls away. She fidgets a little, then smiles.

“Hi,” she says. My voice is level, but my head—not so much. My world is spinning right now and all I can do is stare.

“It’s great to see you,” I say.

“Sorry for being late. It was a challenge getting here.”

“The rain?” I ask. She nods.

“Yeah.” I take her coat and hang it on the coat rack behind the counter as Porsha stands in the foyer admiring the Bistro’s interior. “It looks good in here,” she says. “I like the renovations.”

“I’ll let Mom know how much you love her taste.”

“Do that,” she smiles.

“Let’s sit,” I say, placing my hand at the small of her back and walking her toward a table for two.

“I’ll admit I got a lil’ lost. A lot of landmarks and buildings I didn’t remember ...” She laughs nervously as I pull her chair out. I can feel my mom’s eyes drilling through the back of my head. I turn to glance at her, and she winks at me.

“I thought you might get a little turned around,” I say, cutting my eyes at Mom, who interrupts me.

“Asa was concerned,” she yells from over the counter. “But then I reminded him how capable and resourceful you are,” Mom says with a smile.

“She did.” I take my seat across from her. “I was looking forward to meeting your daughter since she was knocked out in your arms last night.”

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