Page 63 of When I Thug You Like That

I read the message, locked my screen, and slid my phone into my pocket. Nori would have to hold it down for tonight. Unfortunately for her, plans had changed.

CHAPTER 10

Teetering On A Boundary

JAI’ANA

Standing in the elevator across from Jay, all I could think about was Taina’s reaction when I told her about this shit. Had I officially lost my damn mind? Because there was no other explanation I had for turning my quick pizza run from a party of one to a party of two. I’d spent the whole week reminding myself that this fine-ass parent was off-limits, but he wasn’t making it easy. Jay didn’t make me nervous, but being in such close proximity with him had my thoughts all over the place. So, while he watched me, I used the buttons near the elevator door as a distraction.

“Jai’ana.” He called my name like it was second nature.

“Yes?”

“You gon’ look at me or make me compete with the buttons?”

I looked over at him and smiled.

“Everything you say out ya mouth gotta be slick?”

“Not everything.”

“I know you drive your people crazy.”

He shrugged. “Most of the time.”

“So, you’re related to my neighbor? What are the odds.”

“Yeah. Amil is my cousin.”

The elevator dinged, and when the doors opened, we went to step off at the same time, bumping into each other.

He chuckled. “You nervous?”

“No. You clumsy?”

“Nah. You tryna be close to me?”

“Boy, move out the way.” I pushed him back slightly, walking out of the elevator doors.

His laughter followed behind me and through the front doors. The night air hit me as soon as we stepped outside. Pulling my oversized cardigan closed, I turned to him.

“The pizza shop is only a block away. I was gonna walk.”

“I’m cool wit’ saving gas,” he replied.

I stared at him for a few seconds.

“What?”

“Nothing. Come on.”

I started walking, and he fell into step beside me.

“How long you been living in the building?” he asked.

“For about two years now.”

“That’s wild that we’re just bumping into each other. Milz been living there for a minute. Ya nigga must keep you in the crib.”