Page 26 of Another Constant

“What about me intimidates you?” he asked, eyes still ahead.

I didn’t have to think about it, I just knew. “The fact that you know what you want. You go after it in a way that can almost be considered impulsive, but you’re far from that.”

He nodded. “Keeping it a buck, I ain’t never been this interested in nobody.”

“Don’t lie.”

“I’on got no reason to. I’on like to be lied to, so I’m not gonna lie to you.”

I nodded. “If not, then why?”

“Because I get tired of motherfuckers easily and the same thing I've been telling you for the last few weeks. I don’t like people.”

“So you say, yet you’re here.”

“You not people. You’re fine shit, Harlem.”

I grinned. Feeling warm from the way he said my name.

“Why are you sitting all the way down there like I’ma bite you or something?”

Of course I shrugged. Couldn’t help it. Being down here allowed me to think while being near him in the slightest made thinking impossible. I used to think people were dramatic when they called things breathtaking, but then I encountered him. Kinga was no fairytale or dream, but instead the antagonistic character in the story causing problems for everybody trying to look good. He was everything, without me knowing everything about him. I moved closer to him, maneuvering my legs in the other direction and resting my top half against his chest.

“Close enough?”

“Yup.” His tattoo-littered arm rested across my shoulder like a seat belt.

I couldn’t gauge what was on the TV because I was in his arms and nothing else mattered. “So you came over to eat and watch SportsCenter?”

“I came over here to eat and do whatever the fuck you wanted to do. Turns out you just wanted to lay up under me while I watch SportsCenter. That’s cool with me if it is with you.”

I didn’t object. “What do you like to do then? When you’re not at work?”

“Being at the shop ain’t work because I love that shit. While the youngins work on the newer model cars and shit like yours, I spend my time on antiques. That or my own. But if you exclude working on cars in your question, then I like to cruise in one of my old schools.”

“Is that so? Then why did you decide to fix my car if it wasn’t your thing?”

“It was the least I could do since you came in my spot acting up. Plus I wondered if you looked that good angry, then how would you look with a smile on your face.”

A big dumb ass smile settled into my features while Kinga laid it on thick. I soaked it up, swooning internally. “You always know what to say, huh?” I tilted my head back, peering at him.

“Nah. I’m just keeping it a buck.” His arm tightened.

“Well since we’re being honest, I do like you but want to be dated.”

“Ain’t never done that but I’ll do that f—” His phone vibrating on his chest interrupted his statement. It was at his ear in seconds. I couldn’t make out what whomever on the other line was saying, but I could tell when Kinga’s whole demeanor changed. Anxiety and irritation coursed through him.Fuck! How was I in tune with this man?

When his phone call ended, he exhaled deeply. “I gotta head out, baby girl. Something I gotta handle just came up.”

I was disappointed. My distress had nothing to do with him, but everything to do with the fact that I wanted him to stay, but he was a busy man. “Okay.” The word dragged from my lips like it had thirteen syllables.

I sat up to give him space to get up.

He stood and grabbed his hoodie. “Come walk me to the door. I’ma try to make it back tonight. That is… if you want me to.”

“Do you want to?”

“Harlem, baby, it’s not that hard. You're gonna let me come back and taste that motherfucker or not?”

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