“And still risking their lives for nickel and dime packs.”
“What’s up, Saga, baby?”
The frown that held Saga’s features captive freed them at once. My eyes narrowed as I watched her eyes smile. The joy was contagious. It quickly took control of her lined lips and long limbs. We were no longer headed in the direction of the club. We were making a pit stop.
“Sully–”
As her arms went around the gold-mouthed, dark-skinned figure, I decided against checking her later. His smile was as radiant as hers. The natural attraction was obvious. The two were magnetic, on each other like flies on leftovers. I made a mental note to question her later about the mysterious gentleman. He was not a Dooley native, but he didn’t seem to be out of his comfort zone. Even if Dooley wasn’t his neck of the woods, he was all good in our hood.
“I thought maybe my eyes were deceiving me.”
A deep, sultry voice disrupted my nervous system as it spoke.
“But then, I thought, can’t be. Ain’t another woman in Dooley that damn fine. That damn pretty. Or has the power to make everything around me disappear. Everything but her.”
Fine bumps pricked my skin. I swallowed whatever was keeping my sharp words buried beneath my tongue. Calloused fingers wrapped around my arm, pulling me between creased jeans. Though I wanted to resist, I was deemed helpless by the woodsy notes of the santal-based cologne.
What is it?I wondered, widening my nostrils to savor the scent.
“I thought you’d be the one who had gotten away. Yet, here you are.”
I didn’t see his face often. Not now. Not four years ago. Not ever. I could count on one hand how many times I’d encountered him. But I knew his voice by heart. It soothed something inside of me that I never knew existed.
“Do you put your oily fingers on all the strangers you find attractive?”
There she is.
He leaned in, lips near my ear.
“Nah. Just you.”
I mustered the strength to put distance between the insufferable human and me. It was a very bad decision on my end. It had been so long since I’d witnessed him in all his glory. He was breathtaking in the white tee with something colorful in the center. I couldn’t see much of anything but his face.
It was dark.
It was rich.
It was smooth.
It was perfect.
Like something out of a magazine. Or on television.
His beauty was unbelievable. As if seeing him was a dream. But, it wasn’t.
“Do me a favor,” I advised, opening my half-empty purse, “Unless you can add to this collection plate, keep your hands to yourself.”
“Miss Stone,” he sniggered, calling me by my last name, “You’re a cold woman. I see not much has changed.”
“Hmph.”
“Let me take you out on a date.”
“Goodbye, Flocco.”
“Please.”
“Saga!” I called out, eyes still on Flocco.
