“That is true, but I’m being totally honest here. I never received a text from you or Shayna. I am a subscriber of two mobile phone services and have been for nearly fifteen years, I can assure you that I’m a master at keeping up with both. Had you texted me, I would have returned it in due time. My word.” I kept my tone even, though I resented the accusation.
She searched my face for the truth. I had nothing to hide and didn’t want to give her the impression that I was the type of man who gave a shit enough to have to. I wasn’t pursing her, giving me no motive to lie.
“Hmmmmm…okay. I believe you,” she spoke slowly while bending over in her seat to retrieve her glass and took a sip. “The question now is how did it get lost in cyber space? Or did your lady of the week intercept me?”
My eyes shot up while I sipped my brandy. I wasn’t expecting that. This Dawn Taylor is a damn firecracker. I see that I need to switch gears to keep up with her.
I chuckled. “That would be a negative.”
I didn’t feel the need to explain any further, but Rayna would have never touched my phone. She would have to let down her guards long enough to care to play the jealous role. I swear, being involved with her was like fucking a woman, but being emotionally entwined with a man most of the times. She still had a problem with expressing her feelings. Shit, even in the cafeteria there at the rec center when Dawn called me into a private conversation to spite Rayna, Rayna didn’t react with rage as most women I know would have. And while her coolness in that incident worked to my favor, it was becoming increasingly difficult for me to deal with Rayna’s heightened guards when my feelings for her were growing so fucking intensely.
“You sound so confident,” Dawn challenged smoothly while arching an eyebrow. I could tell she was a little nervous by how her fingers toiled with the hem of her dress.
“Because I know her.”
“How well?”
“Why are we asking, Ms. Taylor?” I snapped, becoming a little ill-patient.
With a tone of righteous indignation she spat, “I’m trying to get to know you, Azmir. It’s what someone does when—”
“When?” My tone was pithy as my eyes shot straight to her face.
Who the fuck did she think she was pimping? I had to admit, she was coming strong with her audacity, and that was somewhat appealing, but I wasn’t about to lay down my G for her to pick up and use against me.
My repositioning tactic worked, Dawn was at a loss for words. I needed to gain the reins of this conversation. Rayna wasn’t up for discussion; she was a sensitive part of my private life. If I wasn’t emotionally involved with Rayna, Dawn still wouldn’t be a strong contender; I would have just fucked her right then and discarded the Taylor & Bacote proposal after she left for the night. She needed to be handled properly.
I sat up in my seat, inclined towards the coffee table. “Listen, Dawn, pardon my…apophasis, but if there is something you want to ask me about my personal life, do it with caution. I will answer whatever questions you have no matter what answers I believe you’re looking for, but what we will not do is dance around shit under the guise of small talk. When you’re negotiating potential relationships, it’s best to avow with no filters so that in the end if something go awry, you’re not left with the liability.” A hint of agita was in my tone, but I didn’t give a fuck, she was pushing me to my limits.
There, before me, her eyes filled with some type of emotion and her cerise lips parted. Yeah. Just the way that I liked her, fucking consternated. It took her quite a few seconds to collect herself, that gave me time to pack away my things. It was after twelve thirty in the morning. I didn’t have a lot of time.
“Well, I’ve been told,” she spoke just above a whisper. “Ummmm…I guess I’ll be moving along.”
“Give me a sec and I’ll walk you out.” I tried sorting a few papers.