Page 31 of Safest With You
“Parlarne,” I demanded.
She scooted beside me then kicked her feet onto my lap, followed by the groan of a deep sigh that further piqued my curiosity. She was taking too long but I’d let her have it this time so she could gather her thoughts. My hands met her feet and I started massaging them, which prolonged her explanation.
“What?”
“Speak on it, honeybee,” I replied. I don’t know why I freely spoke Italian expecting her to understand.
“There are noticeable differences I wish didn’t play like a broken record every time you do anything that’s decently normal or genuine. It’s unfamiliar and quite irritating.”
“The one thing I never want you to do is compare me to the next man. If he didn’t worship the ground you walked on,then he is below every facet of my existence. You don’t compare eagles to pigeons, mama,” I replied.
Her eyes grew big and her eyebrows raised like I said something extreme. I was only stating facts. Any man who could disrespect her wasn’t worth the spit on the bottom of my damn shoe.
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Armond, only speaking my truth. My ex blindsided me with his true nature and meeting someone of your caliber has been refreshing. It only reminds me of what I attempted to hold on to for so long. Toxicity and ruin. You’ve been everything but that since we met.”
“And you wonder when it will flip?”
“A little.”
I was irritated with this conversation, but I respected her for being open enough to speak on her concerns. Any other woman would’ve played it off and kept it moving just to appease me. That was one of the qualities I liked in Brandy. She kept it real when she didn’t need to. Those creases in her forehead and that bite of her bottom lip displayed how on edge she was, so I took a second before I said anything. I continued massaging her foot until her head tilted back and her lip popped back out.
“One thing you’ll come to learn about me is I don’t flip like a pancake or a coin. This me is what you’ll always receive because it’s the realest I’ve ever been with any soul. And time will surely show you that. So don’t fret, honeybee.”
“You’re a smooth talker,” she responded with a smile.
“An honest one.”
“Yeah, we’ll see.”
She smirked then shot herself up to leave. I shook my head then stood and stopped her before she could. My hand met hers and I made her face me. She looked a little timid and I couldn’t understand what I did or said to make her switch up like that. That bastard really had fucked her up.
“Look, we can take this as fast or as slow as you’d like. I’m in no rush. I want to build with you, not dictate our relationship. It’s me and you together. Got it?”
Her eyes danced wildly with mine as tears started to brim. I just wanted her to breathe.
“Come here, mama,” I said as I extended my arms. She quickly wrapped around me and rested her head on my shoulder.
“I got you.”
She nodded against my chest and I felt a couple of tears wet my shirt. I separated us and wiped her cheeks then kissed each of them before leading her out of the cabin.
“Well damn, don’t you look refreshed,” Marsha said with a huge smile on her face.
“Shit, you do too,” Brandy replied.
Stella and Amelia were sleeping with their heads on each other while Marsha was spread out on the couch with a throw blanket. I smirked then took a seat and strapped myself in.
“We’re going to land soon so you might want to hop in a seat and buckle up,” I stated.
“Yeah, yeah, got it,” Marsha said as she sat up.
Brandy looked at Stella and Amelia and secured each of their seat belts without waking them then took a seat next to me. Marsha took the one across from Brandy.
“Armond, are you staying in Dallas?” Marsha asked.
I was hoping that question came from Brandy’s mouth but shit I was glad someone asked. My brother living in her city only added to my motive for coming. I would’ve been making this flight regardless though. Wherever she went, I would’ve made sure we were taking her home. She was stuck with my ass and I was going to take care of her.
“Actually I am. I’m visiting my brother in Arlington. I’m heading to see him as soon as we land.”
