“Because she was a prime example of what I'm talking about. And why are you avoiding the question?”
“Yes, I think she was attractive,” he said, exasperatedly, irritated with himself for being baited into this dumbass conversation that was leading nowhere.
“See!” she said, her face contorted in anger. “I knew you were and that’s what I’m saying!”
“What, Destiny?” he asked, careful to keep his voice low even though hers had risen to a squeal. “What are you saying, baby? Please tell me for real…what are you saying? Do you even know?”
“I'm saying that you’re attracted to other women who are clearly attracted to you and that’s how it starts, even if you don’t mean for it to.”
He stared at her and shook his head.
“This shit is stupid,” he said, his voice flat again. “And I’m done arguing with you about something that has nothing to do with us. I’ve told you over and over again how I feel about you. I’ve showed you over and over again what you mean to me and we’re still here having this conversation. I see dudes flirting with you all the time but I don’t trip.”
“That’s not true,” she immediately countered.
He leveled a look at her.
“You work in an industry dominated by nothing but men who obviously want you but I still don’t trip and do you know why I don’t?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “Because I trust you. I trust us.”
“But…”
He shook his head, cutting her off again. “I’m done with this conversation, Destiny. I’m not gonna keep arguing with you about this.”
She stared at him, her chest heaving and her cheeks flushed. Under different circumstances it would’ve been hot.
“You can’t just silence me, Brian,” she huffed. “Don’t talk to me like I’m a child.”
“Well, then don’t act like one,” he immediately retorted.
She glared at him and he sighed. It was all good just ten minutes ago and now…well, it wasn’t. He knew he’d really pissed her off. No, actually, she’d pissed herself off.
“Are you calling me immature?” she asked icily.
“No. I’m calling this conversation immature.”
He hadn’t ever been afraid to tell her the truth before and he wasn’t about to start being evasive now that they were together. He watched as she got up and walked briskly to the kitchen with her plate in her hand. She didn’t say a word when she re-entered the living room with empty hands and turned the corner, heading toward his bedroom. He sighed again and flicked the channel on the TV before taking another healthy bite of his food. He knew she needed to cool down.
She came back out of the room a minute later, fully dressed in a pair of jeans and one of his t-shirts, her bag in hand. She didn’t look at him as she headed to the front door.
“Where are you going?” he asked, frowning at her in surprise.
“Home,” she spit out, her hand already on the doorknob.
“Are you serious right now?” he asked.
It was his turn to be pissed. He hated that her first instinct was to run whenever they had any kind of discussion that she didn’t like.
“Yes,” she said starkly.
“Destiny.” He leaned forward and looked at her pointedly. She hesitated, her hand still on the door. “Come’ere.”
She still didn’t move. Her head was down like she was debating whether or not to acknowledge him.
“Seriously, baby. Come’ere. Please.”
She sighed and finally walked over to him. He sat his plate on the floor and grabbed her hands, pulling her onto his lap.
“Really?” he asked quietly, arching an eyebrow at her.
She looked away then back to him. Her expression was mildly ashamed now.
“I guess that was a little dramatic,” she admitted finally.
He didn’t say anything, just studied her as she processed her thoughts. Everything she was thinking showed up on her face and when she was being rational it was interesting to watch.
“I’m sorry.” She looked at him and released a breath. “Shit.”
She averted her eyes again and released another breath.
“What’s really going on, baby?” he asked.
She shrugged. “I just…I dunno, Brian. I get scared sometimes…really scared of losing you. It scares me how dependent I feel on you sometimes. Like, I know this sounds stupid and makes me sound weak…”
She paused and he waited for her to speak again, surprised by her admission. She didn’t like to be vulnerable, at all. It’d taken forever for her to even admit that she loved him and he knew that expressing herself like this wasn’t easy for her.