Page 170 of Forbidden You

She snorts, shaking her head, but something fierce dances around her features.

“It’s about time.”

45

“Ineed you to pick something up.” I look up at Nana with my eyes narrowed.

“I’m busy.” I hold up my book, scowling. She’s Rae’s grandmother, but I spent so much time at Rae’s house when I was younger that she feels like family to me.

We banter most of the time, pretending we don’t like each other, but really, I adore the woman. She’s fierce, and a pain in the ass, and I have no doubt I’ll be something like that when I’m seventy and grumpy like her.

“You’re relaxing.”

“Why aren’t you going?” I counter with more sass than I should considering she’s my elder.

“I have a Zoom meeting with a supplier from Nepal in ten minutes.”

My sigh is heavy with annoyance as I refrain myself from rolling my eyes.

“You know, it’s really weird hearing you say things like Zoom meeting and supplier considering you’ve been alive since before we had phones.”

She keeps a straight face, but there’s a ghost of a smile sitting in the corner of her wrinkled lips. “Jealous I have shit to do?” She taunts.

“Ouch,” I smile. This woman is brutal.

“It’s important,” she adds when I don’t reply.

“So ask Rae to go.”

“Rae is busy. Stop being a brat and just pick it up.” She drops her car keys in my lap, turning around to take off.

Euh, hello?

“I’m taking your car?” Must be really important because Nana rarely lets anyone drive her car.Her Gateway Classic Mustang. Let aloneme. “I don’t even know what I need to pick up?” I screech. “And where?”

“At the Fun Fair. The one on the field behind the old Windham plantation. There is a stall there that sells gemstones. Tell them you’re coming for me.” She disappears into the house, before her head snaps back out. “And step on it!”

I wince when she slams the door shut again, leaving me sitting on the front porch.

That damned old bat. I want to tell her to shove it up her ass, but instead I get up, sulking, making my way to her car. A minute later, I’m sitting behind the wheel of her full black Ford Mustang, hitting the throttle for the sake of it.

She said step on it, right? Don’t have to tell me twice.

The roaring engine makes me smile at the road in front of me while my sunglasses protect my eyes from the last sunny hours of the day. If she’s going to let me drive around in her car, I’ll be her fucking personal delivery girl from now on.

Unintentionally, my mind goes to Bodi, thinking about how I miss sitting in his car as he drives us to work. I love starting my morning with him, even if those moments were mostly silent, with nothing more than the rumbling sound of his engine filling the car.

As if our minds are synced, my phone vibrates on the dashboard and his name pops up.

BODI:Got any plans for tonight?

He’s been texting me every day. Wishing me a good morning. Asking me how I’m doing. This morning I caught myself being disappointed when I woke up without a message from him, and I realized I shouldn’t expect him to keep putting in all the effort. He was making an effort. I didn’t want him to think that was futile.

It definitely wasn’t.

Slowly, I’ve been allowing my feelings to seep back into my veins and he deserved some attention from my side. So I put my ego aside and texted him a good morning. He responded right away, and throughout the day, we’ve been sending messages back and forth. I can’t deny it’s why I’ve been chipper all day.

I miss him.

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