I rolled my eyes. “The only way you’re going to see her is if you have security with you. These people will maul the two of you over here.”
Noah chuckled. “Meet us at STK Steakhouse after your last class. What time is her last class?”
“Same time as mine. We have our last class together. She’s a hard case though. She may not want to go. She has a son she has to get back to.”
“Well, try. Let us know,” RJ said as he lifted the window.
I went back to the delivery driver and signed some paperwork. He gave me the details on where it came from and when I would have to have it back. Checking the time, I saw that I only had fifteen minutes before her class ended and thirty minutes before my class and her next class started. Going to my car, I got my backpack then hopped on the powerchair and made my way to her class.
I parked outside of the classroom near the bench we were seated on earlier. Allowing my thoughts to run wild, I could imagine that her son’s father was a whole jackass. What kind of man could allow a woman in his life to struggle, especially if that woman was the primary care provider for his child? That was a fuck nigga for sure. I was willing to bet he wasn’t even taking care of his son as he should.
The classroom door swung open, and I watched students file out of the class, knowing that she would be the last one to walk out. She didn’t want to hold anyone up. I didn’t know where her next class was, but hopefully, this chair would help her. Plus, I wanted her to see how serious I was about pursuing something with her. If I could do this without truly knowing her, how muchmore did she think I would do if she was mine? That was the path I wanted her mind to take.
When she walked out of class and looked my way, she dropped her cane and bookbag. The tears immediately streamed down her cheeks. “Chozen, oh my God. Where did you get that?”
I grabbed her hand and led her to it, making sure she was seated comfortably, then grabbed her bag and cane from the floor. When I got back to her, she had her face in her hands. I stooped to the floor and pulled her hands from her face. Damn, I wanted to kiss her pouty lips. While her expression looked sad, I knew these had to be tears of relief. There was a wire basket on the front that I set her book bag in, then slid her cane to the side of her where she didn’t have to hold it while she drove.
“Where’s your next class?”
“Two buildings away.”
“Okay. Go ahead and go, and I’ll see you in our business class. I really wanna take you to lunch. Please let me.”
She nodded as her body quaked. What I wouldn’t give to make love to her at this very moment. She could probably use some tender loving.
“Stop crying, Azari. Go ahead and go so you won’t be late.”
“Thank you.”
I smiled slightly then watched her pull away. After adjusting my bag, I heard a woman’s voice from behind me. “That was so beautiful.”
I turned to see her crying. I gave her a tight smile and continued to class. I wasn’t looking for attention. Making things easier for Azari was my motive. That was it. She needed that damn chair. She also needed to be refitted for another prosthesis. I felt good about what had transpired though. The look of relief that flooded her was all the thanks I needed.
“I really can’t be long,Chozen. I have to get to my son.”
“I know. We won’t be long, because my cousins made reservations.”
She trusted me enough to ride with me to STK Steakhouse. I wasn’t shocked when she said yes to lunch, because she was beyond happy about that powerchair. We even sat together in class. When I wasn’t taking notes, I found myself reaching for her hand. A couple of girls that had been watching me looked somewhat disgusted that I was giving Azari all my attention. They could go on about their business. I could tell they were young anyway. I looked almost as young as they did, and that was what gave them confidence in thinking they could get next to me.
When we got to the restaurant, there were only two cars in the parking lot. It was twelve thirty and should have been packed for lunch. I knew why it wasn’t, but Azari was totally confused. She frowned as she looked around.
“Did your cousins reserve the entire restaurant, because this place is normally packed?”
I chuckled, refusing to tell her they had. “Girl, come on here.” I got out of my car and walked around to assist her. “Are you okay to walk?” I asked as I helped her up.
“Yeah. We aren’t going that far, since the parking lot is practically empty. This is so strange.”
I gave her the cane and grabbed her other hand, leading her inside. I wanted to pick her up and run in just to see her reaction to Noah and RJ. Once I opened the door, I allowed her to walkinside first. When we got to the hostess, she led us to where Noah and RJ were. Once we were within their view, they both stood as we approached. Azari stopped walking and turned to me wide-eyed.
“Are they your cousins? The taller one looks like the rapper Noah.” She glanced at them again. “Just like him.”
“Come on, Azari. That’s my cousins,” I said without confirming or denying what she deduced.
After we got to the table, I said, “This is Azari Michaels. Azari, that’s my cousin RJ and that’s my other cousin Noah.”
She looked like she was about to pass out. RJ chuckled. “Why you didn’t tell her who we were ahead of time?”
“Because I wanted to make sure she wanted to go to lunch withmeand not because the two of you would be here.”
