The summer heat was brutal.
Whole block smelled like hot concrete, cigarettes, fried food, and somebody barbecue that probably wasn’t even legal where they had the grill set up.
I was leaned against my car outside the liquor store talkin’ to some dudes when I spotted her halfway down the sidewalk.
And instantly stopped hearin’ anything else.
There she go.
Walkin’ around like she ain’t know she fine.
Little bag over her shoulder, sunglasses on, mean look on her face for absolutely no reason. Just came from somewhere too, probably with her friends from the way she kept lookin’ at her phone.
One of the dudes beside me noticed me zonin’ out and laughed.
“Oh, lord. That yo girl?”
I ain’t even answer.
Already pushin’ off the car.
⸻
She still ain’t notice me by the time I got behind her.
So naturally?
I wrapped both arms around her waist and lifted her clean off the ground.
She screamed immediately.
“DARNELL!”
I started crackin’ up while she nearly swung on me.
“Girl, damn!”
“Put me DOWN!”
“You heavy as hell.”
“You are SO annoying!”
But she was laughin’ already, trying not to smile while I set her down slow.
Whole mood changed the second she realized it was me.
That happened every time.
⸻
She shoved my shoulder hard. “What is wrong with you?!”
“You ain’t see me callin’ you?”
“I was busy!”
“Too busy for me?” I pressed a hand dramatically against my chest. “That’s crazy.”
She rolled her eyes and tried walkin’ away again.
I caught up instantly.
“Where you goin’?”
“Home.”
“With attitude?”
“With peace.”
I walked beside her anyway. “Nah, come ride with me.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
I opened the passenger door dramatically. “Get in the car, ma.”
She looked at me for a second before laughing under her breath.
“You really just appear places.”
“Yeah,” I said easily. “Keeps the relationship alive.”
“We not even together.”
I stared at her.
Then looked around fake-confused.
“Coulda sworn everybody on this block say otherwise.”
“Darnell.”
“I’m just sayin’.”
⸻
She finally got in the car, still shaking her head while I grinned to myself and shut the door behind her.
The second I slid into the driver seat, she reached over and adjusted my chain slightly.
Little absentminded thing.
Didn’t even realize she did it.
And for a second, I just looked at her.
Soft.
Real soft.
Then she noticed me staring.
“…What?”
I smirked instantly. “You love me bad.”
“Oh my God.”
“You touched my chain all gentle.”
“I was fixing it!”
“Mhm.”
“You so full of yourself.”
“But I’m right though.”