Page 93 of Perfect Rhythm
“Trust me, I know. There are some real-life bums out here. I’ve come across quite a few myself. Well, not here. Back home.”
“Oh, I see. What made you come here?”
“Just looking for a change. I know a few people who live here, so I figured, why not?” she said with a shrug.
The elevator doors opened, and she stepped off.
I’d been so caught up in our conversation that I hadn’t even noticed that she was going to the same floor as me.
“Well, this is my stop,” she said.
“Yeah, it’s mine too.”
“Oh, wow. I guess I wasn’t paying much attention to where we were headed.”
“Neither was I.”
We held each other’s gaze for a moment, and for some reason, I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off of her. It should’ve been awkward and weird. Especially since I’d just mentioned that I was here to see my fiancé. But it wasn’t. In fact, it felt natural. It felt like I could stare into her eyes all day. They were beautiful.
She cleared her throat. “Um, so, yeah, it was truly nice to meet you. Thanks for taking pics with me.”
“Yes, of course.”
She turned to walk away. The sway in her hips made me lick my lips, almost desperate to know what was hiding under her little business outfit. Still watching her, I realized that I never got her name. I was about to try and get her attention, but?—
“Eli?” I turned to see Nyx stepping out of her apartment. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Hey, babe. I’m here to see you.”
“Why? I didn’t tell you to come here.”
“I know, and you’re not responding to my calls, texts, or voicemails either.”
“That’s because you’re blocked.”
“Babe, we’re engaged. Don’t you think blocking me is ridiculous?”
“No, I don’t. But I do think that stunt you pulled at my father’s birthday dinner was ridiculous.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Just in case it wasn’t obvious, there’s no way in hell I’m marrying you.”
“What? But you accepted the ring.”
She reached into her purse and pulled out the box. “Here you go. Take that shit back where you got it from.”
“Okay, Nyx, I know you’re still upset about the Nimah thing, but I’m ready to move past that.” I held up the bags, making sure the labels could be seen, so she would know that I’d been to some of her favorite places.
She frowned. “Is this a joke? Did you really think that proposing to me and buying me a bunch of bullshit would make me forget about you cheating on me?”
“Not forget, but?—”
“But what? There isn’t a damn thing you can say or do to change my mind. We’re over. I’m not marrying you...ever. Get that through your head and move the fuck on.” She pushed past me, and I grabbed her arm. Her head spun around. “You do remember what happened the last time you put your hands on me, right? Don’t make me have to make a phone call.”
Heat rushed through me.
Did she really threaten me with another nigga?
“Oh, so that’s what we’re doing now?” I let go of her arm. “You’re using the nigga you fucking as your bodyguard?”
“If that’s what gets you to keep your hands off of me, then I guess so.”
