“She usually gets home around four on weekdays, and she’s off on weekends.”
“Okay. When do you have time?”
“I’m wide open. My only obligation is to my girl.”
I nodded again as the door opened. Kimaji stood, and Arlie sat up and turned toward the door. I turned to see her dad and her brother’s daughter. He froze in his steps. I didn’t know if he was shocked by the number of people in the house or if it was that he knew the caliber of the people in the house. He finally made his way to where we were, and everyone stood.
Arlie stood and went to him, taking him to where everyone was. She took him right to Noah, and his eyes widened. He cleared his throat. I could tell he was emotional. “Daddy, this is Noah.”
“Yeah, I know. I don’t know whether to be excited or to punch him in his throat.”
Everyone looked shocked, but Arlie laughed hard as hell. We were all glancing at each other. I was hoping we didn’t have to jump in. He extended his hand to Noah, and said, “My wife loved you. She’s gone to glory, but I’m still a lil salty about how much she loved you and your brother.”
Everybody fell out laughing, including Noah. RJ stood and said, “And I’m the brother.”
He shook his head slowly, then shook RJ’s hand as well. Arlie took him around to everyone, introducing him, and her niece saton Kimaji’s lap. She looked so tired. When Arlie made her way back, I stood, and she said, “Daddy, this is Graham.”
He frowned slightly and extended his hand. As I shook it, his eyebrows lifted. I believed he recognized me from that bullshit on TV. Once he sat, Arlie said, “Graham, can I talk to you?”
I nodded and let her lead the way. I followed her to the back door that led to a patio. She sat on a covered swing, so I sat next to her. We remained quiet for a couple of minutes. She turned in her seat and grabbed my hand, caressing it between hers. I brought my hand to her cheek and lightly stroked it with my fingertips.
“Graham . . . God, I don’t know where to start.”
“Start wherever you feel comfortable starting,” I said somewhat softly.
She nodded. “This is beautiful. I would have never expected this from you. When I threatened you and you didn’t show up, I thought I had lost you forever.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “My wants have changed. Actually, they changed after you left my hotel suite in LA. I want to get to know you better.”
“So, you saying you wanna be attached to a nigga?” I asked, fucking with her.
She laughed as I pulled her to me. When she composed herself, I kissed her lips. “I wanna get to know you too. I guess you know I’m feeling you . . . ever since I left your hotel suite as well. You said you didn’t want any attachments, so I was prepared to avoid your ass. I knew there was no way I could be around you without catching feelings and stalking your ass all over the country.”
She giggled. “I’m glad we’re on the same wave. I’m scared, but if you can go out on a limb with me, then it’s worth a shot.”
“I could feel the chemistry between us on the plane. I just didn’t know how you felt about the age difference. I’ll be thirty-five next weekend.”
“Oh! What are you doing to celebrate? Will you have to work?”
I glanced at her, then decided to just tell her. “I got suspended for two weeks, so no. I don’t have plans.”
“Because of what happened?”
“Yeah.”
“Damn. I’m sorry. Are you gonna be okay?”
“Yeah. I’m good financially. I work because I want to, not because I have to. While what we did had nothing to do with my job, they had to respond to the fallout because I was wearing my uniform.”
“Okay. Well, we have to do something.” She took a deep breath, then asked, “You ever been in a relationship?”
“Not since high school. You?”
“Same. You ever been in love?”
“Not since high school.”
“Same. Damn.”
I chuckled. “I guess we’re more alike than we are different, huh?”
