Page 67 of Trust Issues
I’d make the man dinner. Dinner didn’t mean marriage right?
So I checked out with my steak and potatoes and took my ass home. I wondered all the way to my building if I was losing my mind. I wondered if I was jumping at the opportunity to have a man or if I really liked Max. Any other day I would have hated him. Why the sudden change of heart?
Because he has that big ole devil dick.
I shook the thought from my head and carried my bags inside. Mark wasn’t there to bother me so I took advantage and made my way to the elevator. I went to my apartment first and was greeted by Naima and Barkley. “I already walked him and fed him so don’t let him fool you.”
“Thanks, Naima. Hey, can I ask you a question?”
“It’s about Max, isn’t it?”
“Why is that what you automatically assume? Maybe it’s about my hair. Did you notice that I didn’t have my wig on when I came in?” She gave me a quick glance and grunted.
“Cadence already told me all about it. It’s about damn time. You were the only person worried about your hair. I’m glad you came to your senses. Let me rephrase that, I’m glad Max fucked some sense into you.” She cackled and I rolled my eyes. I was going to choke Cadence. Or not…I didn’t know what kind of kinky shit her and Naima were into. She might like it.
“So what do you want to ask me?”
“Ugh,” I sighed dramatically. “Do you think I’m diving in too fast and deep with Max?”
“Have you professed your undying love to him or something?” Naima quizzed, furrowing her arched brows.
“Of course not. I’m not even sure if I really like him.”
“Oh my god, Kyle. Cut the shit please. You like him. You’ve liked Max since you first met him but you’re too scared to get close enough to admit it. He’s absolutely perfect for you so I understand you being apprehensive especially after how your ex treated you. I don’t think Max is like that though. I think you need to ease up on him and give him a chance. Be happy for once.”
“Happy,” I muttered, staring down at the two steaks I bought.
“Are you making him dinner? Wow,” A huge smile blossomed on her face and it was contagious but I managed to fight my own smile off.
“He’s stressed so…”
“So you want to do something nice? I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen you this into a guy.” We both knew when the last time was that I was into a guy but neither one of us wanted to mention him because I banned his name from being said in my presence or in the same sentence with my name.
“I feel like every day I like him more and I hate it.”
“Kyle, you’re being dramatic. Max is literally everything you’re always preaching about wanting in a man or did you not realize that?” She was giving me that snooty know-it-all look that made me want to punch her in the face.
“I hadn’t noticed,” I shrugged.
“Oh, you’ve noticed. You wrote that book with your own tears and frustration. You’ve noticed that Max is everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“Idon’tknow that. Now, do you think you’ll be able to hang out at Cadence’s for the night? I’d prefer to cook dinner here in my kitchen.”
“Oh, you don’t have to ask me twice. I’ll be out of your hair. Can I get a baked potato though?”
“No. You can’t.” I pointed my finger toward her room and she smacked her lips together with an attitude.
“Being in love sure makes you cranky. I thought you got dicked down this morning.”
“Inwhatnow? Did you say, love? Naima, I will cut you. Get out of my kitchen.” Hearing her say the word love planted seeds of doubt in my mind. I couldn’tloveMax. He was sexy and he had beautiful eyes and his laugh was pure chocolate and silk and he also made me laugh and got my dry sarcastic sense of humor but…love? Love was stretching it a bit far. That was an expert level yogi stretch.
“I’m just saying. I know the love look when I see it.”
“You don’t know shit. Bye, ho.” She laughed her way out of the kitchen and I started on dinner. I knew soon enough, Max would be barging his rude ass way through the front door and I’d pretend that I hated when he did that when in all honesty I looked forward to it. I could have stopped him from doing it at any time. I never did though.
I put on my favorite 90’s playlist and went into my bedroom to change into something I didn’t mind smelling like steak and potatoes. I opted for a t-shirt and a pair of leggings. “Uh oh, you’re playing nineties music. Time for me to go.”
“Yes, Naima. Go be with your girlfriend.” I swung my hips back and forth to the Tribe Called Quest song bumping through the speakers and she laughed at me.
