Page 19 of Mister President

I couldn’t help but chuckle. Even with her trying to delicately say it, everyone knew the best soul food was in the hood.

“Yeah, I heard about it. I was thinking about going.” As she stared at me, I realized she wanted me to continue. Since I hadn’t asked her out yet, now seemed to be as good of a time as any. At this point, I just wanted to get the shit over with. It felt more like an obligation than anything else. “Would you like to join me, Fiona?”

The cute squeal she released softened my heart. “I thought you’d never ask.”

“Saturday at six. How does that sound?”

“That sounds perfect.”

“Great. You’re staying with your parents, right?” She nodded. “Okay. I’ll pick you up around five thirty.”

“It’s a date.” She agreed seductively, shooting me a wink.

As she walked out, my eyes lowered to her ass. It wasn’t as big as Amanda’s, but it was enough for me to grip. With a sigh, I plopped down in my seat. I was going to have to stop comparing her to Amanda. But lately, she’d been the woman I used when it came to my standard—physically at least.

I wouldn’t deny Amanda lacked some morals and character traits I wanted in my wife, and that was why we couldn’t be together, but the things I loved about her were starting to matter to me more. Maybe it was because I knew there was a chance I’d be losing her soon. Whatever it was, I had to be careful. The last thing I wanted was to fall even harder for a woman that had proven time and time again that she was incapable of catching me.

11

Amanda

“I’m goingto send you these pictures, and I want you to tell me if there’s any man on here you like.”

My eyes rolled as I listened to Mama speak. I didn’t know why I continued to talk to her about what was going on between Elias and me when she always said something that made me mad or sad. A part of me hoped one day she’d say something that actually helped me. Well, that helped my heart. Her advice helped me make money and keep my guards up, but it never helped me feel soft and safe in my femininity when it came to men.

“Ma, that’s really not necessary.”

The low chuckle she released told me just how little she believed me. “It is. It’s clear you’re not going to get off that man’s peen until you have another one to hop on.”

“Ma!” I grabbed my throat and tried to keep from laughing.

“You know I’m telling the truth!” I didn’t bother arguing with her crazy ass, so she continued. “That man told you you’re his even if you ain’t his. Now I know y’all young people likethat crazy stuff, but you deserve better than that, Amanda. You deserve better than a man simply wanting to possess you. That’s all this is. He doesn’t want you. Even if he loves you. He will never be with you. He just wants to possess you and make sure no one else has you.”

My phone buzzed, indicating a new text message. It was Elias letting me know he was outside. I heard the garage let up seconds later as I texted back and told him to let himself in. I’d returned my mama’s call while I waited for EJ to finish the last of his homework. My two deliveries from Elias had been delivered, and I was in a great mood until she and I talked.

“Alright, Ma. I have to go. Elias is here, and we’re about to watch a couple of movies with EJ.”

She sighed. “When will you learn?”

“Bye, Ma. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Alright. Look at that picture! All three of them are single. Let me know which one you want.”

I laughed. “You’re talking about these men like they’re a piece of meat.”

“The only piece of meat you need to be worried about is the one betwe—”

“Wassup?”

I hung up in Mama’s face and jumped at the sound of Elias’s voice. “Hi.” I cleared my throat as he eyed me skeptically before chuckling.

“Who you in here talking to that’s got you so jumpy?”

Pulling my hair behind my ears, I smiled. “That was Mama. She told me you being possessive of me is not a good thing, so she sent me a picture of some single men to choose from.”

“Hmm.” He loosened his tie, giving me the chance to take in how good he looked in his cream and white. “I don’t think I’m possessive of you. I think I am territorial, but that’s not a bad thing.”

“Yeah?” I asked, heading over to the refrigerator to grab the wine and some ginger ale for EJ. His grandparents had him drinking that shit like it was water. “How is being territorial not a bad thing?”

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