Chapter 23

23

M alorie

Weed truly made me happy. Even when I didn't smoke it and chose delta 9 instead, it was able to instantly boost my mood. It made me affectionate too. So affectionate when I felt arms wrap around me, I didn't bother to push them away. If I wasn't smoking, there was no way I would have let a complete stranger hold me so close and dance on me like we were lovers. However, as the weed infiltrated my system, my inhibitions were lower, and I welcomed the affection.

"You smell so good, and you sexy as fuck. Can I have you?"

With a giggle, I turned in his arms to face him. He was cute but not really my type. Still, I wrapped my left arm around him as I hit the blunt. His hands lowered to my ass, and within seconds, I felt someone grab my arm and pull me away. At first, I thought it was his girlfriend or some shit until I was pressed into the bar and a wide chest blocked my view.

My eyes lifted, and when they landed on Neko's face, I laughed. I relaxed against the bar as he scowled.

"What the hell are you doing?" I asked.

"Nah, what the hell are you doing? You know this nigga? Why you letting him grind all on you like that?"

"What does that have to do with you?"

Licking the corner of his mouth, Neek released my arm. He closed his eyes and pulled in deep breaths. When he was relaxed, his shoulders lowered and expression softened.

"What are you doing, Malorie?"

"I'm dancing?" I said, but it sounded more like a question.

"I mean here. And why did you apply to my firm?"

"Do you really want to talk about that right now?"

"Yeah, I do."

With a sigh and roll of my eyes, I stared at him as my head tilted. I figured he'd want to talk about this, but I wasn't expecting it to happen so soon.

"Can we talk in the morning? A serious talk will blow my high and I'm trying to enjoy myself."

"That's cool. Who you with?"

Chuckling, I pushed him away from me and turned to look for the bartender. "Myself. Malik told me he was coming here tonight so I pulled up. If I get too cross faded, I know he'll make sure I get back to my hotel safely. I'm not going to mess up y'all guys' night though."

"You still cool with Christina?"

"Yeah, but now that she's a mama she's boring."

I saw him smile out of the corner of my eye as he made his way next to me. "The tattoos… that's an unexpected addition."

"Yeah." I looked at him as I said, "Someone close to my heart gave me a love for art—in all forms."

"They look amazing, and I haven't really seen them how I want to. Who did them?"

"Mostly Aspen James."

"In Memphis?"

I nodded. "Yeah, how do you know him?"

Licking his lips, Neko smiled. "It's a small world."

"I should've known you'd know him since he's an artist. It's definitely a small world."

When he didn't respond, I looked at him. He was taking his time eyeing every inch of my frame.

"I'm glad you know your body is a canvas," he said, eyes resting on my hips. "You're a work of art, sweet girl." They rose to my chest. "A fucking masterpiece."

When our eyes locked, mine watered. Before I could thank him, he walked away. As much as I wanted to go after him so we could talk more, I meant it when I said I wanted to enjoy myself tonight. So, I flagged the bartender down and ordered a double shot of top shelf tequila, knowing that was all I needed to get me on my level for the rest of the night.

The Next Morning

Since I wasn't starting work until Monday, I got up even though I didn't feel like it to meet with Neko. I didn't want him wracking his brain over what I was doing home. Even though I didn't plan to tell him about operation get the guy just yet, I was going to be honest about everything else.

On my way to Espresso Express , I called Ma back since she'd called while I was getting ready. She answered cheerfully with gospel music blasting in her background.

"Hey, baby. How are you?"

"I'm good. How are you?"

"I'm good."

"And Pete?"

"Same. You know he had to be put on that special diet so he's a little grumpy but good nonetheless."

That made me chuckle. "Hey, I'll take grumpy and healthy over chipper and on his way out of here."

"Chile, you just spoke a word!" We shared a laugh before she continued. "How are you getting settled back home?"

"It's been good. My apartment will be ready soon and I can't wait to move in. With the last of my money from Daddy, I was able to use it for the down payment on an apartment on the beach. I'm in love with it already."

"Ooh, I bet. I'm sure that's going to be an amazing view to wake up to. I was thinking about moving back too. Memphis was perfect because it was between you in Nashville and Leek in The Hills. Now that you are back there, maybe I need to be too. Especially since my chubby little grandbabies are here."

Lord knows I didn't want to get my hopes up, but if she could come back home, that would be perfect!

"That would be awesome if we all could be in the same city again. Would you be able to handle moving back though? I know with all the memories it was hard and that's why you left."

She sighed. "I think now that I have Pete and won't be living in the house Vincent and I raised you kids in that I'd be okay."

"Well hopefully he'll be cool with moving here because I'd love that."

"He's retired now so I'm sure he won't mind, but I'll talk to him and let the both of you know for sure."

We continued to talk until I made it to the coffee shop, then we said our goodbyes. I didn't feel hungover, but I could tell I was cross faded last night. My stomach was hurting just a little and I was tired, so a latte was calling my name.

When I stepped inside, I briefly scanned the room for Neko. He was already seated in the back looking just as good as he wanted to look in a gray suit, white shirt, and dark shades. Even with those shades covering his eyes, I felt them on me. My suspicions were confirmed when he nodded in my direction. Seeing there was an extra cup on the table, I headed over instead of going to the counter.

Neko surprised me by standing in my presence, but he didn't extend his arms for a hug. He didn't hug me back yesterday either. I wasn't sure what to make of that.

"Good morning, good morning." He greeted, and after hearing that for the first time in so many years, my eyes watered as I smiled.

"Good morning."

"Thank you for agreeing to meet me."

With a nod, I sat down after he pulled my chair out. He didn't bother to try and get my number from Malik. Instead, he just told him where and when he wanted to meet. I wasn't sure what to make of that either. It was like he was upset with me about something, but surely he couldn't be upset over what happened the last time we saw each other.

"What's this?" I asked, wrapping my hands around the to-go cup.

"The special for the month. Caramel apple chai tea latte with a shot of espresso. You still like that sweet shit?"

My head hung bashfully as I nodded. "Yes, and you added a shot. Thank you."

He smiled with one side of his mouth. "Figured you'd need it after last night."

We stared at each other for a while, but it felt intrusive for me since I couldn't see his eyes. Running my hand down my neck, I took a sip of the latte and moaned because it was so good. He shifted in his seat and looked away.

"So you're back?" Neko broke the silence to say.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Long story short, I missed home. I missed my family. I have a niece and nephew now. Plus my godbaby and Christina." I shrugged. "I just… didn't want to be away from them anymore."

"And applying to my firm?" He turned back in my direction. "What exactly was the reason for that?"

I licked my lips and swallowed, then took a sip of my latte.

"Are you upset with me about something, Neko?"

He chuckled and sat up in his seat. As he took his shades off, he sucked his teeth. "I'm not upset. I'm detached and disappointed."

"Wow." I rolled my tongue across my cheek and tightened my grip on the latte. "Disappointed? Why?"

"You didn't choose me."

For a few seconds, all I could do was stare at him. I was glad he was honest, but I couldn't believe what he'd said to me. I didn't mean to laugh softly, but I was truly in disbelief.

"You told me you didn't want me to choose between the two of you, Neko."

"Yeah, because it shouldn't have been a choice."

"He's my brother."

"I know, and that's why even though that shit hurt, that's what I was prepared for you to do. I don't know." He shrugged and sat back in his seat. "It was different when it was just a possibility, but you actually rejecting me… that did something to me, Malorie. Something that I haven't been able to get past since. Logically I know you did the right thing, and I loved you enough to want what was best for you. But my heart really didn't give a fuck about that shit. My heart hurt over you for quite some time after that. I don't think the disappointment is with you; it's with me for wishing you would have chosen me."

He sighed and ran his fingers down the corners of his mouth. Neko's head shook as he said, "This is my issue, not yours. I'd dealt with it, but seeing you yesterday was triggering." He stood. "You don't have to worry about this effecting our work relationship. I know how to be professional. It's going to take me some time to adjust to you being here, but you don't have to worry about me trying to have you again. Your relationship with Malik is safe, okay? I promise to never come between the two of you again."

My mouth opened but I was speechless. It didn't seem to really matter because he grabbed his coffee and said, "Thanks for meeting me," then was gone as quickly as I'd come.

I didn't really know how this meeting was going to go, but I certainly wasn't expecting that. It was clear Neko still felt some type of way about how things ended between us. Until he was over that, there was no chance in hell we'd be able to fix things between us.