Page 50 of Stoplight
Noble: It’s the truth. You got a nigga hooked and now you dodging me like I’m a bum.
Irish: Not true. I actually wanted to see you tonight. There’s this bakery that stays open until two a.m. You feel like meeting me there later on?
Noble didn’t have to give her invitation any thought since he wanted to see her badly.
Noble: Yeah, just send me the location.
Irish: Ok. I’ll see you later.
Lyra walked over just as Noble put his phone inside his pocket. She was dressed in a loose-fitting jumpsuit with some gold kitten heels. Her red buzz cut was sharply lined, and her makeup was on the heavier side this particular day.
“I see you brought my Kenji,” she raved. “Did Daysha give you a hard time?”
He shook his head. “No, the weekends pretty much belong to me.”
Lyra nodded, tapping her leg to distract from the awkward energy. When Noble spoke to his mother regarding the logistics business, their conversation flowed easily. However,outside of work, there was no depth in their dialog. Just small talk that resorted to awkward pauses and avoidances.
“Where’s Wilde?” Lyra asked no one in particular.
Noble shrugged while Zayd opted not to answer.
“Probably in some girl’s coochie. You know how Wilde get sidetracked by a big ass,” Kaliste jested.
“Oh, well.” Lyra glanced over her shoulder. “I wanted to get a picture with all of my kids.”
Noble followed her line of sight and noticed her husband sitting at the table guzzling down a can of Milwaukee’s Best.
“If you think I’m ‘bout to take a picture with that nigga, then you weaker than I thought,” Noble sneered.
Lyra cocked her head. “Noble that is my husband, and he’s a part of this family. I wish you would stop acting like this.”
It amazed him how his mother was able to move on with life knowing she had caused him a great deal of pain and rejection. Her actions and decisions almost ruined him, but he maintained the best way he could. Now that he was a grown man and doing well for himself, she thought that all was lost. As if what she decided when he was eighteen was nothing more than the past.
“Ma, something gotta be wrong with you,” Zayd chimed in. “Ain't no way you could look Noble in his face and ask for shit like family pictures or him to show up at a surprise party.”
That comment caused her to flex her throat muscles while pursing her lips together. She had no comeback. In fact, she never did when her terrible blunder was presented to her. Noble didn’t want to hear any more of the conversation, so he got up and walked over to the bounce house where the kids were playing. With a smile on his lips, he recorded Kenji playing withhis cousins. This part of his life would always be pure to him. Living life through his child’s eyes was one of Noble’s favorite things to do. He prayed that he would never disappoint Kenji the way Lyra had disappointed him.
Irish couldn’t remember the last time where a genuine beam had been on her face for the entire day. Loneliness had reared its ugly head in her life, compelling her to feel bouts of sadness that she couldn’t shake. Now, she had a blank canvas ready to paint her love life with all shades of Noble. After their night at his condo, Irish couldn’t keep track of her thoughts. What should’ve been going through her mind had been replaced with images of Noble. He was everything she had imagined and although she didn’t allow him to take too much control, she still enjoyed mixing her body with his.
Walking into the bakery, she spotted him at a table all the way in the back. His head was down with his attention centered on his phone. For a brief second, Irish took a minute to bask in his presence. Wearing a fitted cap and a designer graphic T-shirt, she took noticed of his inky arms that were toned with muscles. She loved Noble’s build. He wasn’t too bulky or too skinny. His athletic frame was perfect for her five-foot-seven stature.
Licking her lips, Irish’s heels tapped against the tile, bringing his attention to her. A subtle smile emerged on his full lips as he stood. Irish entered his embrace and felt an instant peace cast upon her. He smelled divine, wrapping his strong arms around her body. Pulling back, they eyed each other for a second until their lips reunited. Magic happened when they kissed. Irish felt all the things that the fairytales told little girlsabout when Prince Charming arrived. Butterflies, enchanting connection, and an undeniable attraction.
“You look good, Pumpkin,” he complimented her.
Irish burst out laughing with his arms still locked around her waist.
“Don't start calling me that. I feel like you're shading me because of my hair color and freckles.”
“No, I’m calling it how I see it. You put your pumpkin spice on me, Irish. I already told you that your new name was Pumpkin.”
She jokingly rolled her eyes and took her seat. Noble sat across from her, drinking her up with his raven lenses. Irish didn’t think the attraction between them had room to grow until now. She wondered if this was what it felt like to experience a first love. Where the connection was so impassioned that neither of them wanted to blink so they wouldn’t miss a moment with each other.
Noble grabbed her hand, rubbing it gently. “How did you find this spot?”
“Oh, I had a sweet tooth one night and they were open. I came and loved their pastries.”
“You came by yourself?” His brows hiked.
