Page 31 of Mister Artist

With a nod, I sat down after he pulled my chair out. He didn’t bother to try and get my number from Malik. Instead, he just told him where and when he wanted to meet. I wasn’t sure what to make of that either. It was like he was upset with me about something, but surely he couldn’t be upset over what happened the last time we saw each other.

“What’s this?” I asked, wrapping my hands around the to-go cup.

“The special for the month. Caramel apple chai tea latte with a shot of espresso. You still like that sweet shit?”

My head hung bashfully as I nodded. “Yes, and you added a shot. Thank you.”

He smiled with one side of his mouth. “Figured you’d need it after last night.”

We stared at each other for a while, but it felt intrusive for me since I couldn’t see his eyes. Running my hand down my neck, I took a sip of the latte and moaned because it was so good. He shifted in his seat and looked away.

“So you’re back?” Neko broke the silence to say.

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Long story short, I missed home. I missed my family. I have a niece and nephew now. Plus my godbaby and Christina.” I shrugged. “I just… didn’t want to be away from them anymore.”

“And applying to my firm?” He turned back in my direction. “What exactly was the reason for that?”

I licked my lips and swallowed, then took a sip of my latte.

“Are you upset with me about something, Neko?”

He chuckled and sat up in his seat. As he took his shades off, he sucked his teeth. “I’m not upset. I’m detached and disappointed.”

“Wow.” I rolled my tongue across my cheek and tightened my grip on the latte. “Disappointed? Why?”

“You didn’t choose me.”

For a few seconds, all I could do was stare at him. I was glad he was honest, but I couldn’t believe what he’d said to me. I didn’t mean to laugh softly, but I was truly in disbelief.

“You told me you didn’t want me to choose between the two of you, Neko.”

“Yeah, because it shouldn’t have been a choice.”

“He’s my brother.”

“I know, and that’s why even though that shit hurt, that’s what I was prepared for you to do. I don’t know.” He shrugged and sat back in his seat. “It was different when it was just a possibility, but you actually rejecting me… that did something to me, Malorie. Something that I haven’t been able to get past since. Logically I know you did the right thing, and I loved you enough to want what was best for you. But my heart really didn’t give a fuck about that shit. My heart hurt over you for quite some time after that. I don’t think the disappointment is with you; it’s with me for wishing you would have chosen me.”

He sighed and ran his fingers down the corners of his mouth. Neko’s head shook as he said, “This is my issue, not yours. I’d dealt with it, but seeing you yesterday was triggering.” Hestood. “You don’t have to worry about this effecting our work relationship. I know how to be professional. It’s going to take me some time to adjust to you being here, but you don’t have to worry about me trying to have you again. Your relationship with Malik is safe, okay? I promise to never come between the two of you again.”

My mouth opened but I was speechless. It didn’t seem to really matter because he grabbed his coffee and said, “Thanks for meeting me,” then was gone as quickly as I’d come.

I didn’t really know how this meeting was going to go, but I certainly wasn’t expecting that. It was clear Neko still felt some type of way about how things ended between us. Until he was over that, there was no chance in hell we’d be able to fix things between us.

24

Neko

Monday

It washard avoiding Malorie today. Because of her experience over the last three years, she was able to bypass all entry level accountant duties and was already looking into senior accounts and doing audits. That meant not only did she have to meet with Trent and his team but me and Elias weekly as well. Briefly this morning, Elias and I gave her a rundown of what we were looking for in the senior accounts and audits. I was able to maintain my professionalism, but I also couldn’t deny how good she smelled and looked.

Gone was the warm, milky, nutty scent of her youth. Now, she smelled floral and feminine throughout the day and like a decadent caramel and vanilla dessert at night. Yet again, she was fully covered in a form fitting dress and stockings, but her body was so curvy it still looked indecent—like she knew how hard her attire was making me work to see those tattoos—like she wanted me to rip those stockings from her skin.

I thought I was going to be free of her when the workday was over, but Malik called and asked if I could help move her things from storage into her apartment. Of course I agreed. When I pulled up to the storage company, she was pacing and speaking a different language, David and Elias were watching in amusement, and Malik was standing there scowling with his arms crossed over his chest.

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