Page 13 of The Plus One

I looked at her. She said it with a straight face too. And honestly her ass was the type of pretty that could get away with saying that kind of shit. Cocky ass. “Can’t argue with that.”

Her head turned toward me. “What?”

“What?”

“You said you can’t argue with that.”

“I know what I said.”

“So you think I’m pretty?”

I pulled out of the parking lot. Here we fucking go. “You fishing for compliments now?”

“I’m just asking a question.”

“You know you fine as hell Kema.”

“That’s not what I asked and being fine and pretty isn't the same thing.”

I glanced at her to see she was watching me. I could’ve played it off. And to be honest I probably should’ve. But I wasn't a liar and I didn't shy away from speaking my mind. So instead, I said, “Yeah, Kema. I think you’re beautiful.”

She got quiet. So I quiet that I had to look over at her. The little smile pulling at the corner of her mouth told me she’d heard every word.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t get shy now.”

“I’m not shy.”

“You acting like it.”

“I’m just surprised.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “You never said anything like that to me before.”

Because you were my best friend’s woman. Because I’d spent four years making damn sure I didn’t. Because if I’d started telling you everything I thought was beautiful about you, I wasn’t sure I would’ve known where to stop. I kept all of that to myself. “You never asked.”

She accepted that answer easier than I did. For the next few minutes, the truck was quiet. I kept my eyes on the road while Kema leaned her head against the window. Then she sighed. “You think I’m stupid?”

My eyebrows pulled together. “Where did that come from?”

"I'm just asking a question. Do you think I'm stupid for wanting a date.”

There was something different in her voice now. She wasn't being her normal playful self. I glanced over. “For Cancún?”

“Yeah.”

“Nah, I don't think you're stupid.”

“Sierra does.”

“Did she tell you that?”

“Not exactly.”

“Then don’t put words in that woman’s mouth.”