Page 40 of Crossing Lines

“Relax. Davia and I are cool.”

They both exchange a look.

“That’s what they call it?” Preston jokes, drying under his locs before tossing the towel in his gym bag.

“So what happens next?” Cairo questions me.

A warm sensation circulates under my skin the more I consider it. “It’s up to her. But I can’t lie, man. I want to explore this attraction.”

“Nah,” he immediately disapproves.

“Hell yeah,” Preston encourages with a smack on my shoulder. “If you’re into each other, go for it.”

Cairo punches his arm. “Don’t listen to Pres’s bullshit advice. At your big age, do you really want to sneak around like high schoolers? That gets tired fast.”

“She might drop him eventually,” Preston adds.

“Might,” Cairo stresses. “Look, Gran always says anything that starts messy never works out. So leave that girl alone. Go on a date with someone else.”

“Fuck out of here,” Preston laughs. “Man’s senses have locked in on Davia. He wantsher.”

Cairo shakes his head. “Bad idea. I’m telling you.”

“At least feel her out more,” Preston advises.

“Yo!” I pat the air with both hands. “Y’all are like two angels on my shoulders going back and forth.”

“I’m the good one,” Preston points to his chest.

Cairo twists his mouth at him. “Yeah, sure.”

They make me laugh. “Look, all I said to Davia was she could talk to me when lonely. We’ll see what happens and take it from there.”

“You know what? I’ll mind my business.” Cairo shifts to Preston, asking, “Sup with you and Moya?”

Preston grins from ear to ear as if he’s been awaiting the question. “That’s my baby. My main.”

His unusual corniness takes us by surprise.

“Wait, you’re serious about a relationship?” I check.

“For sure. I told Moya I’m flawed and working to do right by her.”

“She believes that shit?” Cairo chuckles.

Preston hisses at him. “Yes, ‘cause it’s true. I like her, all right. We’re vibing.”

“Good for you, man.” I pat his shoulder. “How’d y’all meet?”

“She’s my new loc technician,” he replies, smiling. “Met her at a birthday photoshoot I did.”

“Huh. Hope it works out.”

“Thanks for the support, brother,” he says while glaring at Cairo.

Cairo raises his hands. “I’ll believe it if you’re still rocking with her next week.”

Sucking his teeth, Preston picks up his gym bag and throws it over his shoulder. “Anyway, I have to meet a client. Catch y’all later.”

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