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“Great! Like I told you, I’ll be paying the entire six-month lease up front.”
“Even better. So, see you Monday?”
“Bright and early. Thanks, Ms. Strickland. I travel a lot for work overseeing projects, and I hate staying in those residential hotels. You renting me this apartment is truly a lifesaver.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Hey, sweetie, it’s Mom. Just checking on you. You and Renee should call and check on me and your daddy more. We’re getting old, you know. Call me back. I wanna talk about the menu for the anniversary dinner. Love you. Bye.”
“Hey, Angie. It’s Renee. Wanna do lunch tomorrow? I’m missing you, little sis. Call me back.”
“Hey, Ang…huh? I’m on the phone trying to call my sister! No, I don’t know where your wallet is. What? You think I’m a damn thief? Nigga, really? Ain’t nobody robbed your broke ass!”
The last message, which was from Nicky, abruptly ended, and I sighed as I peeked out the window at Ryan Boyé carrying a box into his apartment. He was still gorgeous, and as I watched him, I pondered whether or not this was a good idea, letting someone who looked like him move in, because he was exactly what I didn’t need in my life. I turned away from the window and walked a few paces into the kitchen where I just stood in the doorway and stared at nothing in particular. My mind was in an I’m-attracted-to-a-man-but-I-don’t-want-to-be fog. I had worked overtime, weekends, and holidays to build a life that excluded even the mere thought of a romantic relationship, had told myself I didn’t need a man, and I really didn’t. But damn did I want one right at that moment, and I wanted the one who was carrying boxes from a white SUV into the dwelling that was attached to mine. How was I going to survive six months of living next door to him?
My eyes scanned the kitchen, and then I decided I was thirsty, reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a can of soda. Then my other hand reached in and pulled out another one, and my feet started moving to the front door like I was on autopilot or something. Opening the door, I saw that he wasn’t outside, so I walked over to his place to find the door open but him nowhere in sight.
“Hello!” I yelled inside.
No answer.
I just stood there like a lost puppy.
He finally appeared in the living room and jumped when he saw me, snatching a pair of earbuds from his ears before giving me a smile that sent a jolt of electricity to my core.
“Aw, man. You startled me.”
My eyes tried to find something other than him to focus on. They failed. “I’m sorry. I-uh-thought maybe you were thirsty since you’ve been working so hard and it’s pretty warm out.” I pushed the can toward him. “Do you drink soda?”
He took the can, his fingers grazing mine for only a second. A second too long, because my knees actually weakened a little. Shit, I really needed to get a grip.
“I do. Thank you,” he said.
I nodded and glanced around at the boxes littering the floor. “Need any help?”
“No, I think I got it, Ms. Strickland.”
My skin prickled at the way he dragged out the Ms. “Your accent…what part of Louisiana are you from?”
“Born and raised in New Iberia. Haven’t lived in Louisiana in nearly six years. Can’t seem to shake the accent, though. Does it bother you?”
“Oh, no. I love it.” Love? Really, Angela? Really?
He smiled again. “Good.”
We just stood there staring at each other until my sense kicked back in, or what little of it I had around him, and I said, “Well, I’ll let you get back to it.”
“All right. Thanks for the drink.”
“You’re welcome.”
I turned to leave, and I swear I could feel his eyes on me. Yeah, being around this man was definitely robbing me of all of my common sense.
5
I ain’t shit.
My brother ain’t shit, either, and my daddy ain’t never been shit.
