Page 28 of You Make Me Feel

“You sent me a Cash App. What for?”

“Lunch, baby.”

“It’s fifty dollars.”

“You have to eat tomorrow too, right?”

She was quiet for a moment, then took a deep breath. “Thank you,” she said softly.

I could tell it was hard for her to accept gifts. She had better get used to it because I would be showering her with them often. Besides physical touch and quality time, it was how I showed my affection. Hell, I seemed to be in tune with all the love languages when it came to her. Whatever I could do to keep her happy, I would do. “You’re welcome, baby. I’ll text you when I hit the road to go home. If you’re free, call me.”

“Okay. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Damn. I can’t wait to see you either, baby. Talk to you later.”

Nothing about our conversation felt put on. I loved that. Maybe she was falling into this like I had. I really hoped that was what she was doing. After ending the call, I glanced at Mya to see her looking at me. “What’s up, Mya?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.”

“Yeah. We made it official this weekend, so you didn’t miss anything.”

“Oh. How did y’all meet?”

“We go to the same church, but recently, we took on Taylor, Wesin, and Sylvester Accounting Firm. She works there.”

“She’s a CPA?”

“Yeah.”

She lowered her head for a moment. “I know you weren’t feeling me, but I was hoping I could wear you down, like the man in the background said about you wearing her down. You’re a good man, and I really like you, Oliver.”

“I’m sorry, Mya. While I’m not in love with Kinisha, my heart belongs to her. She is the only woman I want to fall for. There’s a man out there for you, but I’m not him. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, me too.”

She remained quiet all the way to the Turkey Leg Hut. I couldn’t pry words from her mouth with a crowbar. When I parked, she got out without waiting for me to open her door. “Mya, above all else, I’m still a gentleman. I was coming to open your door.”

She glanced at me, something she’d been doing since I called Kinisha. I wasn’t sure what that shit was about, but I would have to find out. I’d have to use better judgment whenever I was around her. For some reason, I felt uneasy, like she was gonna try some slick shit. “Mya, you good? What’s up?”

She turned to me as we approached the counter, loud as fuck. “I wanted you!That’swhat’s wrong with me. But you chose someone else! What aboutme?I love you, Oliver. How could you do this to me?”

I looked around to see all eyes were on us. “Umm . . . Mya, please lower your voice. I never led you on to think we would ever have a relationship of that kind. I’m your boss. That’s it.”

She stood there and started crying like I’d broken her heart. She said she loved me. This was some weird shit. To hell with lunch. We had to get out of here so I could get her back to the office. I grabbed her hand to lead her out, but she jerked away. “Why were you so nice to me if you weren’t feeling me? Why do you smile at me so much? Every time you’re here, you’re extra friendly. We’re even at lunch together.”

“Mya, I ain’t gon’ tell you but one more time to pipe that shit down.”

“Or what?”

“I’m gon’ leave your crazy ass here,that’swhat.”

She was fuming as she crossed her arms over her chest. I didn’t know what the fuck had happened to make her snap like that. “You’re just like all the rest of them. I thought you were different, Oliver. Fuck you.”

“Okay. I tried to reason with you, but that don’t seem to be working.” I pulled my wallet from my pocket and took out fifty dollars. “This should be enough to get you lunch and get you back to the office. This behavior you’re exhibiting right now tells me I don’t need to be alone with you.”

A man and woman from the restaurant approached us, probably to put us out. Instead, they asked if there was something they could do to help us. I slid my hand down my face and slowly shook my head. “Thank you for your concern. We’ve had a terrible misunderstanding, and I’m not even sure how. I’m assuming that me being nice has been misconstrued. We need orders, mine to go.”

“I’m not staying here. I got here with you, and I’m leaving with you.”

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