It helped me relax… and finally settle into my new surroundings.
I looked down at my watch and realized we were going to be late meeting Aubree if I waited another moment for Jessa. Istood from the swing to make my way to the front door. Before I could reach it, Jessa was walking out with a wide smile.
“See, I told you I was coming!” she exclaimed.
I rolled my eyes with a smile. “Right, let’s go. You know Aubree hates for us to be late.”
Jessa laughed. “I don’t know why she acts like we’re going to a business meeting or something. All we’re doing is going to Scotties.”
I giggled, but I understood this was the only time Aubree had to step away from her shop. She liked to stick to the schedule as much as possible. When I moved here, I never thought I would make a friend, let alone two. It damn sure wasn’t my plan. I was supposed to move here and live a quiet life.
Yet I allowed these hussies to integrate me into the community and convince me to buy the old donut shop on main street. It had a loft over the top so it would supply me with a place to stay permanently as well. Not to mention, I could finally live out my baking dreams. I used to bake all the time when I was at Cambridge Orphanage; it was the one thing I looked forward to when I woke up.
It was the one thing that connected me to my mom.
“You know she likes to stick to a schedule, not to mention this is sis break time. When I finally get my shop open, I’m not tolerating your late ass either.”I toldJessa.
She swung at me, and I dodged, laughing as I rushed into the car. We headed downtown, already running behind.
I parked along the road near Off the Wall Tattoo Shop. The moment I cut the engine, we hopped out and made our way toward the food truck entrance.
Aubree stood there, arms crossed, head tilted.
“Y’all just can’t help it. Now I’m only going to have twenty minutes to eat and get back to the shop.”
I turned to point at Jessa, who knocked my hand out of the way.
“My bad! You know me and time don’t go together. I tried real hard. Why didn’t you order already?—”
“Aubree.” a voice with a thick tone called out.
We looked over Aubree’s shoulder to see a fine chocolate adonis looking man standing in front of Scottie’s truck. He was wearing an all black t-shirt and jeans. I don’t think I’d seen him before, but one thing was for sure, the way he was grinning with Scottie said it all. His eyes were only for one woman. Not that I was looking, anyway. That was the best way to get distracted and bring myself more attention than I needed or wanted.
Aubree raised her hand like we were in a grade school classroom and rushed over to the truck to grab her food from the man. Then made her way back towards us.
“I know you didn’t think I was just sitting here without ordering, knowing I only have twenty minutes to eat. I’ll grab a table—y’all go ahead and order,” Aubree said.
We nodded and made our way over to Scottie’s food truck to order. Just as I finished, I turned too fast—and collided with a broad chest, sending a bag of Skittles tumbling to the ground.
I dropped down to grab them before they could scatter any further, but he stopped me.
“Aye, love. It’s not that deep, I can get another bag.”
His smooth tone rumbled against my ear. I tilted my head back to look up into his vibrant gray eyes. He was wearing a leather jacket with a Black Thorns logo on the shoulder.
“Sorry about that. At least let me give you a couple dollars to replace it. I should have been watching where I was going.”
He gave me a cocky smirk, then looked off before returning his attention back to me.
“Love, you don’t think I can afford another bag of skittles?” he asked with a raise of his brow.
I smiled and looked away, not wanting this man to see me blush. I didn’t need to be entertaining anyone right now, anyway.
“Of course not?—”
“Relax, love. I’m just fucking with you. But it seems like your girls are waiting for you. Enjoy your lunch,” he said, then gestured towards Jessa and Aubree, who were giving us their undivided attention.
I held his gaze for a second, then smiled, walking around him. I could feel his eyes latched onto my ass but I knew better than to turn around. The last thing I needed was a man who smelled and looked as good as he did, paying me any attention. Men like that usually came with another bitch who didn’t know they weren’t together. I’m in no place for none of that.