Page 36 of The Phyre that Burns
“I’ve tried almost everything on the menu and have never been disappointed.”
I nodded as I looked through the menu options. A server brought us some water and silverware and took our drink order. I was surprised they had mimosa flights, and I didn’t hesitate to order one. She informed us about the specials they had for the day before disappearing.
When she returned with our drinks, I ordered the apple cinnamon French toast and pancake tower, two scrambled eggs with cheese, grits, and bacon. Phyre ordered a bacon, egg, cheese, and avocado sandwich, with a side of fruit.
“Are you trying to make me look greedy?” I asked when the server walked away.
“No. You’re doing a good job of that yourself,” he teased.
“Whatever. I told you I was starving.”
I sipped one of the mimosas and closed my eyes to savor the flavor. When I opened them again, Phyre was staring at me.
“How is it?” he asked.
“Delicious. You want some?”
“I’m good. I’d rather you drink all five of them and get tipsy so I can take advantage of you when we leave.”
“Before Friday night, I hadn’t had sex in over a year, unless you count my vibrators. I assure you, you won’t be taking advantage of me. Hell, it might be the other way around.”
“If it were up to me, we’d still be in bed. I’m glad you’re getting some nourishment, though. I got plans for you and that pretty pussy.”
I raised my brow. “Oh, really. Maybe we should pick up a Plan B, and some rub?—”
“Don’t play with me, Nae.”
“I’m not. I know we’re moving fast, but?—”
“If I didn’t want you to carry my seed, I would’ve wrapped my shit up. I’m in love with you, I want to marry you, and I want you to have my children. This back-and-forth shit you’re doing is pissing me off. By the time we leave this restaurant, I need you to be all in. If you can’t, I’ll drop you off at the condo, and you can start packing your shit. Ain’t no fucking way I’ll make it through another week like last week, let alone several weeks, after what we’ve been doing for the past day and a half.”
The server arrived with our food before I could respond. I was grateful because I needed a moment to think about what I’d say. He’d never put me in my place, and dare I say, I loved it. If he’d put his foot down with me thirteen years ago, our story would be very different.
“Let me know if you need anything else. I’ll be back to check on you shortly.”
“Thank you,” Phyre and I said simultaneously.
As soon as she walked away, Phyre said, “If you’re still undecided about us, take your time eating because I meant what I said.”
“I’m not undecided. You took what I said the wrong way and went off on a tangent.”
“Clear it up for me then, Nae.”
“I’m all in, but maybe being all in means something different to me than it does to you.”
“How so?”
“We haven’t seen each other in thirteen years. Who I am today isn’t who I was back then, and I would assume you’ve grown and matured as well. You might not like thirty-six-year-old Ginae, and I might not like thirty-eight-year-old Phyre. We both want the same thing but have to be realistic.”
He looked at me as if he were letting my words marinate. Instead of responding to me, he picked up his sandwich and began eating, leaving me confused.
“You don’t have anything to say?” I asked.
“I have plenty to say, but you won’t like it.”
“Say it.”
“What you said is some bullshit.”
