Page 91 of When I Thug You Like That

He chuckled. “For a minute there… yeah. Then I had to realize that staying where I really didn’t see myself growing in the relationship would only affect my boys negatively. So, we decided co-parenting would be best.”

“How will dating work for you as an active parent?”

“Being an active parent doesn’t stop me from living, Jai’ana. How I’m gon’ be fruitful and multiply?” He flashed a grin, making me laugh.

The joke landed right where it needed to, halting my investigation.

“Are you open to dating?”

“I’m fresh off a breakup, like three months fresh.”

“Oh, aight. What that nigga do?”

“She cheated.”

“Oh, word?” He leaned back in his seat. “You was on that typa time?”

“Why you sayin’ it like I’m some typa unicorn?”

“Nah, I’m not sayin’ it like that. I guess I’m just shocked. Intrigued, but shocked.”

“Yeah, well, I tried it. She cheated. I left. Don’t wanna talk about it.”

He put his hands together and rubbed them. “Cool wit’ me. Try the lamb chops. Them shits bussin’.”

I loved that he didn’t pry, despite me having questions about his history. Picking up a lamb chop, I took a bite of it like he said.

“Amazing.”

“You fuckin’ wit’ it?”

Picking up his napkin, he rose a little from his seat and wiped the juices from my lip before I could get to it.

“I am. You can order on all the dates going forward.”

What the hell? I thought as I had my second case of word vomit.

“I guess that answers my question about you being open.” He slowly sat back down, slouching cooly in his seat.

I cracked a smile that I couldn’t contain. “I guess it does.”

We let the moment linger a little before going back to our meals and conversation without the transition feeling forced. Much like at the pizza shop, we naturally got into a debate about whose taste was better. I quickly surmised that his thirst to be the best could outdo mine on any day. Still, I found myself arguing him down about Superstar by Luther Vandross being the best love song of all time.

“Ain’t no way you think Superstar is better than Fire and Desire. Come on now.”

“What I just say?” I argued as the waiter took our plates.

“You buggin’. We talkin’ Rick James and Teena Marie, Ma. Fire and Desire. The purest of coke.”

I laughed so hard tears came out my eyes. “The purest of coke, Jamison?”

“The good shit.” He nodded.

“Something is really wrong witchu. I don’t even wanna plead my case no more. My stomach hurt,” I said, still laughing.

“Shit,” he shrugged, “I know when I’m right.”

“You got it.” I waved him off.