Page 206 of River & Crown
I stood outside the restaurant Chosyn had chosen for the meetup, waiting not only for her and River to arrive but also for Choyce. Choyce wasn't my first option since we didn't get along, but if I wanted to link with River, I had to get in touch with Chosyn.
Crown would have been my go-to, but he and I weren't really on speaking terms. He apologized for his part in that catastrophic dinner, and I accepted, but I still felt a way. I didn't expect him to pick me over River. I just wanted him to speak up on my behalf. Either way, I bit the bullet and called Choyceto get Chosyn's number. That didn't go without Choyce asking questions and making me promise to text her the location of the meetup. I agreed because I didn't want to be here alone. River wasn't showing up without Chosyn and maybe the twins. I didn't want things getting out of hand because I genuinely wanted to apologize. Having Choyce with me would take some of the pressure off me and put it on her.
A soft tug on the leash reminded me I wasn't completely alone. Sable sat quietly by my side. Bending down, I rubbed my hand along her back and then stood up, noticing a black G-Wagon coming up the block. I'd seen the car before, so I knew it belonged to Choyce. The tinted windows made it hard to see who was inside, but when the driver's door opened, it wasn't Choyce who stepped out.
How did I realize how fine this nigga was before?
A man in every sense of the word unfolded from the truck, slowing time and thickening the air. Kage moved to the other side of the vehicle as if he didn't rush for anyone, because he didn't need to, nor did he have to. He opened the passenger door, and Choyce hopped out like she was the star of the show, only she wasn't. The two of them rounded the truck and stood in front of me. I kept my face neutral as my eyes swarmed over this tall, built-for-war man. He wore a fitted black tee that clung to his chest and arms in a way that made me want to find out if his tattoos were scribed on every inch of his chest, too. His jeans were just as dark as his shirt and sat low on his waist. His skin was smooth, as far as I could see, and deep, like polished obsidian. His jawline was sharp, his beard full and glistening in the afternoon sun.
Our eyes connected, and for a second, I almost let a simper fall across my lips.
Those fucking eyes.
There was nothing special about the color or the shape. His eyes were as normal as any other black man's eyes, but the way he stared in my direction got me. It wasn't soft like he was impressed with how good I looked. There wasn't even a hint of curiosity. I didn't intrigue him, and that intrigued me. His stare was knowing. He knew he stood out no matter what room he stepped into. My breath caught long before I could play like I wasn't staring.
"Are manners another thing I have to teach you?" Choyce snipped, turning her nose up.
Kage smirked and let his eyes drag over me. My grip tightened on the leash.
"Greetings are a two-way street."
"Touché." She chuckled and then turned to the man of all men. "I'll be here for a while. I'll text when I'm ready to leave."
He nodded and then hopped back in the truck and sped off.
"He's your driver?" I asked.
"Kage is my best friend and business partner... among other things." Her eyes narrowed as one brow shot up. I chuckled to play off the lingering tingle between my legs courtesy of Kage.
"No need to mark your territory. I don't do relationships."
"It wouldn't matter anyway. Kage is a virgin."
"The fuck!" I sputtered.
"Yup, but it's not my business to tell."
"Damn," I muttered.
"Right. Now, where are?—"
Genuine laughter cut Choyce off, and we both turned toward the corner to see where it was coming from. River, Chosyn, and one of the twins walked toward us, smiling and talking like they didn't have a care in the world. That is until they saw us. Their expressions immediately hardened into glowers. I looked toward Choyce, and her nutty ass was grinning and showing all thirty-two.
"Chosyn, what the hell is she doing here?" River spat, staring me down.
"Why the hell is my sister here?" Chosyn fumed, also staring me down.
"Look, I?—"
"Why aren't you happy to see me, Chosyn?" Choyce taunted.
"Why would I be?" She shrugged.
"Look, I didn't come here for the petty back and forth," I commented, doing my best to ease the tension.
"Then why are you?" River shot.
"I asked Chosyn to bring you because I wanted to apologize. I had no business saying the things I said to you. Crown and I are only friends. We've always been just friends."
