Page 70 of Crossing Lines

“Sup, Davia?” Cairo grins as he looks between us. “Good to see you again.”

Preston nods. “Yeah, you had our boy moping.”

“Shut up.” I slap the back of his neck.

“Did I lie, though?” he chuckles. “Look how fast you moved when you saw her.”

Davia flashes me a shy smile and cuts away.

I gesture to the seat next to mine, asking once we sit, “You drinking?”

“Coconut mojito, please,” she says.

“Sure.” I signal my waitress, and she brings Davia’s drink and more liquor to the table.

Iree returns, crumpling her brows when she sees her co-worker on her seat. “Oh, hi, girl.”

“What’s up?” Davia replies before sipping.

“Jamir’s never with you, huh,” Iree remarks, sitting beside her brother.

“Don’t worry about it,” I clip.

“Damn, Kross,” she laughs it off. “I didn’t mean it in a shady way. You know that, D.”

“Mmhm.” Davia shifts on the seat and chugs half her drink. She seems even more troubled tonight.

The music stops, and Troy taps on the mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome an artist making her debut performance. Give it up for Ashia.”

Everyone claps as the young singer takes the stage, long braids swaying behind her. “How y’all doing? This is my debut single,Crossing Lines.”

“She’s gorgeous,” Cairo perks up, eyes gleaming.

“She’s twenty-one.”

“Damn,” he drones. “Too young for me.”

The band starts playing a smooth neo-soul melody, and Ashia’s angelic harmonies serenade the club.

As she sings the first verse, I realize the lyrics tell the familiar story of two people meeting at the wrong time, but everything feels right between them.

I glance at Davia. She’s rocking to the song, seeming entranced by the melodies. “Let’s dance.”

She flicks to Iree briefly and steers back to me, swallowing before she nods.

Holding her hand, I lead her downstairs to the main floor. We begin dancing. This time, she allows me to touch her waist.

“You all right?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “Tired of being last place. I’m tired of him pushing me to the side and neglecting me.”

That irks every fiber of my being. “Is that why you’re here, Davi? You through with him?”

Please say yes.

She sighs. “Truth is, you have a way of calming me.”

“I’ll do more when you’re ready. You deserve to be happy, baby girl. You should always be a top priority.”

---