“I refuse to associate with anyone rich.I will not be my father.There’s nothing good about the upper echelons in the city, and I have no aspirations to ever rub shoulders with them.Except for my friend, Wrenly, who doesn’t care about status.I’ll rub her shoulders any day.”I spread my hands theatrically.“So that’s my daddy issue.He’s never loved me, or anyone else, but only what a person might be able to do for him.Now it’s your turn.What’s troubling you?”
“There’s this person I like who’s really hard to read.I want to pursue them, but I’m afraid of scaring them off too.”
I didn’t miss how he used the “them” pronoun.Shit.Was he actually that interested in me?
“Is this person looking for a relationship?If not, pursuing them would definitely scare them off.”
He nodded slowly, considering me.
“Is that really the extent of your troubles?Dating?I wish that were the extent of my?—”
He stood suddenly and reached over the bar, capturing the back of my head, bringing us so close together that I could feel his exhale as he spoke.
“It can be.”
The skin on my arms pebbled from the feel of the heat of his fingers.His lips were so close.If I leaned in just a little, I could?—
“Get your hands off my staff or lose them,” Uncle Jay called.
Konni released me and sat back down, not once looking away from me.I resisted the urge to place my hand over my heart like Mom had this morning, but just barely.
“Did I scare you?”he asked after a moment, back to looking concerned.
“No.You reaffirmed my suspicion, though.”
“What suspicion?”
“You're dangerous.”
“Never to you.”
I shrugged.“Enjoy your drink.”
That was the last thing I said before walking away and avoiding him for the rest of my shift.When it was time to leave, Uncle Jay walked me to my car.
“I think you’re overreacting,” I said.
“And I don’t like the way he moved.That was too aggressive, Sophie-girl.He does something like that again, and he’s blacklisted.I promise you that.”
“Thank you for caring about me,” I said sincerely.Uncle Jay was the only male in my life who ever had.
“Always.Go home and get some sleep.”He started to close my door for me, then paused.“Text me once you’re inside and safe.”
I grinned and waved before pulling away.
Mom wasn’t home when I arrived.She’d left a note on the table that she’d picked up a shift and that she’d left the plate of food in the fridge for me.I took out the food to reheat it and sent two texts.
Me:I made it home safe.No head-snatching hottie followed me.
Uncle Jay:You need a keeper.
Me:Tell me what you want for breakfast, and I’ll have it waiting for you.
Mom:I’ll make myself some instant oatmeal.Sleep well!
I set out the bowl with a packet in it so she wouldn’t forget, then ate my own meal and went to bed.
If she made any noise when she got home, I never heard her.I remained oblivious to the world until eleven when my watch woke me.
