Page 22 of Mabilia

“Okay, what’s your favorite animal at the zoo?” I ask her as I merge with the city traffic.

“The snow leopard.” Mabilia looks at me.

“Why?”

“Because it’s part myth, part reality. A ghost of sorts. And kind of like a big, fluffy cat,” she answers. “What’s your favorite animal?”

“I’m pretty fond of pussy too. Yours is my new favorite pet.” I smirk.

“Oh my god, you did not just say that.” She laughs.

“I did.” I lift a shoulder. “It’s true.”

“I’ve never been on a date to the zoo before,” she says. “Thank you.”

“How about you thank me by never mentioning any dates you’ve been on before,” I grunt, an overwhelming surge of jealousy coursing through me. I’m not even a jealous person. I can’t recall a time I’ve been jealous. But right now, thinking of Mabilia on dates with other guys has me waiting to tear their imaginary heads off.

“Don’t be so cavemanish. I have enough of those in my life,” Mabilia says.

“Good. One more won’t make any difference then, will it?” Reaching over, I pick up her hand and bring it to my mouth, kissing the back of her knuckles before resting her palm on top of my leg.

“The thing is, I don’t want one more. What I want in a boyfriend is a partner, not an owner,” she tells me.

“I don’t want to own you, Mabilia. I just want you to be mine.”

“Is there a difference?” she asks.

“There is. I won’t ever stop you from doing what you want. All I ask is that I don’t have to share you,” I explain. “And that you invest in a new wardrobe… maybe add some pieces that cover all that skin.”

“I’ll be yours,” Mabila says with a smile. “But the wardrobe is still up for debate.”

Chapter Fifteen

He brought me to the zoo. I’m on a date walking through the zoo. One hand clasped around Tommy’s, my other holding an ice cream cone. It all feels so… normal. I like it more than I thought I would.

“Favorite color?” I ask Tommy. We’ve been playing the twenty-questions game to get to know each other better.

“Mmm, red,” he answers. “What’s yours?”

“I don’t have one,” I tell him. I really don’t. There isn’t one color I like more than any other. I think it’s odd that people feel such strong emotions about a color. Of course I don’t say this, because I don’t want him to think I’m judgmental. “Do you have siblings?”

“No, it’s always just been me and my mom. How about you? Any other brothers’ fists I need to dodge?” Tommy questions.

I stop. My heart sinks. I’m still so mad at Neo. “I’m really sorry about that.” I sigh. “But I didn’t let him get away with hitting you either.”

“What do you mean?”

“I put bleach in his shampoo and hair removal cream in his bodywash. You should have heard his scream this morning.” I chuckle at the memory.

“Do me a favor? Don’t retaliate against anyone who does anything to me. I can handle whatever they bring,” Tommy says.

“Yeah, that’s not really how I work.”

“Then change.” Tommy shrugs, like it’s so easy. “They’re your family, Mabilia, and I’m not trying to cause problems between you guys.”

“You’re not causing problems.They are.And it’s fine. Neo and I have been going back and forth at each other for years. It’s sibling shit,” I explain. “Then there’s Lex. To answer your question, I have one other brother. And if you ever get trapped in a room with that one, run.”

Tommy laughs. “Older or younger?”

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