Page 51 of Tainted

I took the opportunity because I couldn’t quite figure out their arrangement. They seemed like they were together in a no-strings-attached kind of way, but she had to mean something to him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be staring at the ocean.

“Not only are you nosey but petty too. I’m learning a lot, Zara Nicole.”

“Must be nice.”

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing. Your mom and Sydney aren’t close?”

“They’re cool.” It wasn’t his two-word reply but the cold, dismissive tone he used that told me Kenyon didn’t want to discuss Sydney.

“I’ll make a mental note that yourgirlfriendis off limits.”

“Jealous?”

“Of what?” I scoffed at him, calling me out.

“You tell me. You’re the one with all that bass in your voice talking about mygirlfriend.”

“Jealous is what you were at the race. You were staring so hard I almost asked if you wanted to join the conversation.”

“How you let that nigga get your number before me?” The wrinkles on his forehead made me laugh. Kenyon was used to being the apple of everyone’s eyes, so he couldn’t fathom any man beating him at anything.

“He asked for it,” I pointed out because something so simple hadn’t crossed Kenyon’s mind.

“Is Romello your man now?”

“What’s it to you?”

“Just keeping tabs on nigga’s I have to beat up.”

“You have some nerve.”

“Because I have a girlfriend?” he mocked, poorly impersonating my voice. “Now, who’s jealous?”

“I’m not jealous, Kenyon. Whatever y’all have going on is your business.”

And then, a pause stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words. I had no choice because telling a man I barely knew I was jealous felt insane. Kenyon’s eyes narrowed a little like he could read me. Maybe the blank stare on my face made him feel inclined to say something.

“Sydney might be more your lady than mine, by the way.”

“Absolutely not. She just doesn’t take no for an answer. Something you both have in common.”

“You'd be miserable at work if I took no for an answer. You’re welcome, by the way.”

“Thank you, Fairy Godfather. What’s her deal anyway?”

“Syd likes beautiful women.”

“Oh, so I’m supposed to be flattered?”

He picked up on my sarcasm and massaged the nape of my neck, his thumb brushing against my birthmark.

“I’ll tell her to ease up.”

“Wow, you’re actually being.” It was so odd I didn’t even have a word ready to finish my sentence. “Nice.” Kenyon didn’t fire back. It was unusual for him, especially when I made a sarcastic jab. “Don’t tell me I hurt your feelings?”

His head turned, and he chuckled.

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