Page 69 of When I Thug You Like That

He nodded real childlike.

“You’re a mess.”

I stepped closer to him, allowing him to wrap his arms around me. Mine naturally went around his waist. He smelled good. His hands didn’t wander, and the hug wasn’t sexual. As my body willingly relaxed against his, I thought maybe this was that safety thing he mentioned back at the pizza shop. It was intimate. It was easy. It was a goddamn problem. I pulled back before my brain could find something else to analyze.

“Have a good night, Jai’ana.”

I waved bye and hurried my lying ass into the building. Talking about some, I don’t date parents. Right now, I not only wanted to date this muthafucka, I wanted to fuck him bad.

“Good evening, Ms. Mitchell,” Mr. Lonnie, the building’s concierge, greeted.

“Hey, Mr. Lonnie. How are you? Oooh, those are beautiful,” I said, pointing to a large bouquet of pink roses that sat next to him in a vase.

“You like ‘em?” he asked, sliding them over to him.

“I’m a sucker for a flower arrangement.”

“The sender must know you well then. These came for you.”

My brows pulled together when he pushed them toward me.

“For me?”

“Yeah. About thirty minutes ago.”

I slowly reached for the card, side eyeing Mr. Lonnie. The second I opened it, I recognized the handwriting. It was Morgan’s.

I know this your typa shit, so I figured it would be the best way to get through to you since my physical presence can’t. I miss you, Jai.

Love Always, Morgan

“Usually when women get roses, you can’t get them to stop smiling.”

Mr. Lonnie’s voice pulled my attention. I looked up at him while tearing up the card.

“When they’re from someone I like, I usually can’t.” I pushed the bouquet back toward him. “These, however, are from someone I borderline despise. Can you dispose of them for me please?”

His eyebrows shot up.

“Actually, let me take a quick picture.”

Mr. Lonnie laughed as I pulled the bouquet back to the center and snapped a picture.

“You coldblooded, Ms. Mitchell. You gon’ send it to the person?”

“Nope. To my homegirl. Have a goodnight, Mr. Lonnie.”

“Alright, you too. I’m gonna see if I can find these flowers a good home.”

“Good idea. The flowers ain’t do nothin’ to nobody.”

As I headed to the elevator, I sent the picture I’d taken to Taina.

Me: This was waiting downstairs for me when I came in.

The elevator doors opened up just as my phone rang. Of course a text back would’ve been much too simple for my best friend. Stepping into the elevator, I answered on speakerphone.

“Bitch! What you mean when you came in? He sent those to the building? What the fuck?!”