Page 8 of Crossing Lines

The conversations continue nonstop, flowing so naturally with spells of laughter. Whenever the adorable sounds leave her, a warm sensation spreads in me.

Our little bubble deflates as Davia slides her phone from her clutch. “It’s past midnight. I should request an Uber and head home.”

“I could drive you,” I rush to offer.

She hikes her brows. “Think I want you to know where I live? You seem cool, but we just met. Besides, shouldn’t you hang back with your employees and friends to wrap up?”

“Right. I almost forgot it’s the first night.”

“Hmm,” she hums. “There’s a car three minutes away.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

We stand at the same time and descend the stairs. I glimpse Preston in a corner, whispering in the ear of a giggling Moya while Cairo’s chilling with Iree and her friends at the bar.

Once Davia retrieves her coat, I accompany her into the chilly late February air.

“Man, I can’t wait for it to warm up,” I rasp.

“You don’t have to stand with me,” she says, pulling her coat tighter. “The car’s almost here.”

“Nah, I need to see you off. I’d ask you to text when you reach home, but you won’t give me your number.”

“You’re right,” she says with a sly smirk.

We hold eye contact until a car pulls up by the sidewalk. After confirming with the driver, she says, “Congrats again, Kross. And thanks for the drinks and good conversations.”

“Congrats to you as well. You’re a lovely woman, Davia. Hope we can become friends.”

She waves and slips into the back of the car. I close the door, watch until the vehicle disappears down the road, and return inside, still smiling.

What a woman. I wish we could have kept talking all night.

THREE

Kross holds my mind captive the entire drive home. No doubt it’s wrong to lust over how fine of a man he is, with his rich umber shade, kissable lips, seductive dark eyes, and groomed beard and hair. I’m not usually into tattoos, but the inked flowers on his neck and hands gave off a sexy allure.

Still cheesing, I unlock the door, enter the dark apartment, and flip the light on. As I turn, a loud shriek tears out of me. “Shit! What the hell, Jamir? You scared me! Why were you sitting in the dark?”

He crumples his thick brows, suspicion plastered on his face. “Where are you coming from after midnight?”

“You kidding me? I went out. What areyoudoing?”

“Surprising you,” he grits. “Where were you?”

I throw my hands up. “At a nightclub, damn. I don’t like that accusatory shit.”

As he straightens on his feet, I can’t avoid comparing him and Kross. The latter is slightly taller with an edge, while Jamir, with his honey-brown tone, is more slender and clean-cut. “I’m sorry, baby. I felt bad about tonight and came to surprise you. I didn’t expect you’d be out.”

“Well, I had a great day and wanted to celebrate.”

He scowls. “Celebrate what?”

A smile tugs at my lips as I tell him, “Chavonne agreed to launch my solo designs under my name.”

“Huh. Didn’t know you wanted to do that.” His blasé response upsets me. He’s my man, yet Kross showed more interest.

“Seriously?” I rest my hand on my hip and shift to one side. “I’ve mentioned it a bunch of times. You ever listen to me, Jamir?”

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