Page 6 of Never Want to Love Again

“Crest Grove.”

Crown sat back. “What made you move to Heartville?”

The waitress arrived without drinks just in time. I took a few sips of my red wine. Crown peered over the rim of his glass, still waiting for me to answer his question.

“My boyfriend cheated, and I decided I wanted to move. It was time for a new scenery,” I replied, keeping it honest.

“Damn, that’s fucked up. I like that you don’t put up wit’ shit.”

That made me smile. My own mama didn’t even say anything close to what Crown just did.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to be that woman. If they cheat once, they’ll cheat again—especially when they see you’re not going anywhere,” I replied. This conversation was getting a bit too personal, so I decided to steer it back on track. “What are you looking for in a social media manager?”

“Someone that won’t half-ass do their job. Someone who will keep up with everything I have going on so they can get the right information out. I can’t afford no fuck ups,” Crown responded with his eyes digging into me.

“I work from home. Is that okay?”

Crown cocked his head to the side and licked his lips in a manner I didn’t think was proper for this meeting.

“What if I wanted you in an office?” he asked.

“I have other clients for whom I work...”

“What if I said fuck those clients, and that I wanted you to work only for me?”

I almost lost my composure but remembered that I needed to remain professional even though I could tell he was trying to give me a hard time now.

“I would ask to be paid for the clients I would lose. To be honest, I can’t afford to lose any clients. I just moved here, and Heartville isn’t cheap,” I replied as respectfully as possible.

The waitress popped back up with the jalapeño bacon-wrapped appetizers he ordered. They smelled so good that mystomach embarrassingly rumbled loudly. Crown lifted a brow at me.

“Are you two ready to order?” the waitress quizzed, eyeing me too.

“Get anything you want on me,” Crown offered.

“I’m good, actually. The bacon smells so good.” I laughed.

Crown pushed the plate toward me. “Have one or two. And if you tell me you’re watching your figure, I can tell just from sitting here that you’re fine as fuck.”

The waitress’ jaw dropped, and so did mine.But why did hers drop? Did she think otherwise?

Instead of responding to him, I helped myself to a jalapeño... or two. The grease dripped down my chin, and I hurriedly picked up a napkin to stop it.

Crown smirked. “Shit good, ain’t it?” I nodded with a giggle. He then turned to the waitress. “Bring us both the shrimp pasta.” He stopped and pointed at me. “You’re not allergic to shrimp, are you?”

“No, but?—”

“Yeah, get us that and water with lemon,” he cut me and finished with her. The waitress cut her eyes at me and left. She looked so hurt Crown wasn’t giving her the attention she was seeking from him.

“So, you’re just going to feed me?” I chuckled, taking another bite of the pepper.

Crown wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I ain’t finna sit here and rudely eat in front of you. I’m hungry as fuck, shawty.”

“I’m sure you are,” slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it. My hand flew to my mouth.

Crown leaned back and snickered.

“Shit. I’m really high as fuck. You good, though.” His phone rang, and he picked it up. “Yeah, I’m here. It’s goin’ good, man.I don’t think we gotta meet with anyone else. I think I’ma go wit’ her.”

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