Page 17 of Save Room for Us

I thought for a second but then said fuck it. This was just business. Asif came off professional, and I couldn’t see him hitting me up on some leisure type stuff.

As I handed him back his phone, his hand brushed mine, rendering goosebumps all over me yet again. Moments later, he was out of the door, and I quickly closed and locked it.

Seconds later, my phone chimed with a text, and I saw it was him.

(213) 555 -6433: It’s Sif.

Me: Got it.

Leaving the text messaging app, I dialed Analicia.

“Hey!”

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“We just finished ice cream, so now we’re about?—”

“No, Leeci. I mean what are you trying to do? You told Asif I couldn’t find a job, damn near did the interview for me, and sent him to Mama’s house.”

“Yeah, because he needed help, and so do you.” She giggled, making me roll my eyes. “I hope your ass took it, because no one else is gonna hire you right now with this sensational case everywhere. They only call you for an interview to see you in person. Plus, you need your nursing pay, not these other jobs.”

“You are definitely right, but I don’t know.”

“Is it because you kind of like him?”

“No, I don’t like him. I don’t even know him to like him. I think he’s handsome, but I’m sure every woman with working eyes thinks that. Not to mention, meeting a new man and having a new relationship isn’t really at the forefront of my mind. I’mjust leery about the people that I will be around. They could be like Cedric.”

“I doubt it, because Asif ain’t gon’ let that happen,” she replied, having the same sentiments as he did. “I know you don’t like him, though. I was messing with you. However, if y’all do get to fucking in that warehouse, you better tell me! I want details!”

“Girl, do not get your little freaky hopes up.”

We laughed together and talked some more before she told me she would be bringing Sophie back in half an hour.

Once I hung up, I went back to the conversation with Asif.

Me: Can I see the setup before agreeing?

Asif: Anytime, love.

Goodness.

WEEK AND A HALF LATER…

As soon asI saw Anastazia pull up to the warehouse, I shoved my phone down into my pocket. Exiting, I made my way over, tugging on the door handle of her vehicle to open it. She was caught off guard by the gesture, which in turn caught me off guard.

“You not used to niggas opening doors for you?” I asked.

“No, I am. I just didn’t think you’d do it right now.” She chuckled a bit, and I could tell she was lying which was a fucking shame.

Shutting the door once she was out, I said, “Yeah, I don’t want you walking in by yaself. Come with me, and watch ya step.” I took her hand to help her bypass the rocky ground, trying to keep my focus on anything but her and how prettyshe looked despite being dressed down in a T-shirt, leggings, a crew neck fastened around her waist—covering the ass I knew she had and couldn’t stop picturing from our last meeting—and sneakers. Her warm brown skin looked so pliable, perfect, and smooth, making a nigga wanna bite it.

She smelled good as hell, some sweet and soft shit. It didn’t give a nigga perfume vibes, more like a good ass soap, but whatever the fuck it was, I hoped she kept it up, even though it distracted the fuck out of me.

As soon as we stepped inside of the vast, dark warehouse, she pushed her curly hair behind her ears, exposing the small heart-shaped earrings pushed through them. Everything about this girl got my dick hard, making me place my hands strategically in front of my shit.

“Wow, this place is huge.” She smiled softly as she followed behind me to the back area I’d had niggas working overtime in.

Once we got to the work area, I hit the lights and stepped off to the side so she could take it all in. She was thorough, checking all the drawers, reading labels, and mumbling medical shit and terms I wouldn’t understand if you put a gun to my fucking head. It was all impressive as fuck, how smart she was and truly about her shit.

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