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“You paid for the night.”
“I thought we had a good time.”
I didn’t say we didn’t.
“I didn’t want to wake you.” I cough, turning inward toward the sofa cushion. “I’m going to get you sick.”
“Nice try, kitty cat. You ain’t getting rid of me. Already told you I’m in town for the next week.”
“Are you planning on coming by the club every night?”
“Maybe. I like spending time with you.”
I almost ask why, then bite my tongue and go colder. “You’re confused.”
“Yeah? About what?”
“There’s nothing between us. You paid for one night. I gave you one night. That’s all.”
“What if I wanted to see you outside of that?”
“I don’t do anything outside ofthat.”
He raises a confused brow, his smirk matching. “You mean to tell me you don’t date? At all?”
“It might surprise you, but not every woman is interested in relationships.”
“As you watch a movie about a relationship.” He chuckles. His large hand grazes the underside of my sock-clad feet as if about to massage them, but I wrench them away faster than he can. He only laughs some more. “You like this with every guy, or just me? I’m trying to figure out how offended I need to be.”
“Men are for work. I don’t know what else to tell you.”
He strokes his beard. “Understandable, I suppose. Sorta like how I try not to fight much outside of work—it’s all I do on the clock. I use my size and muscle to rough guys up. The last thing I want to do during my free time is more of the same. You know what I mean?”
That’s… exactly it.
“Anyway,” he says, shrugging, “I’m not trying to make you feel uncomfortable. If you really want me to go, I’ll go.”
“You’re already here. You can stay for a little while… if you want.”
“How about ’til Sanaa challenges Omar to one last game?”
I start laughing only to end up in a fit of shuddering coughs. My whole body jerks as I do. I’m forced to sit up or risk swallowing down a mouthful of disgusting mucus. I fumble for more tissues.
Louis beats me to the box of them, producing one for me to take. “My ma used to get so pissed when I wouldn’t spit it out. She said I’d never get better unless I did.”
I nod in thank you and take the tissue, doing just that. I spit out the phlegm into it, feeling gross and unattractive.
How can he possibly want to be around for this?
I look a hot mess. My eyes are watery and my nostrils flaky from irritation. I’ve sweated out my silk press, my hair stuffed up in a sloppy bun. The faded T-shirt and sweats I’m wearing hide any curves and have plenty of dried soup stains on them.
I’m not the sexy Vixen that takes the stage at the Dollhouse. The done-up Tasha he’s used to seeing.
Yet Louis is still looking at me the same.
No. No. NO.
I need a distraction. A change of topic. Something to get him to stop.
