“Stop what?” I taunted her, smirking. “Telling the truth?”
She turned to look at me, her eyes bright. “Whatever.” She shook her head and went back to her phone, but her hand moved to rest on top of mine on her thigh. That shit had me feeling good.
The grocery store was one of those small-town spots–single story, maybe ten aisles, fluorescent lights that buzzed too loudly. The parking lot was half-empty with just a few cars scattered around. I parked close to the entrance and cut the engine. I got out and walked around to her side, opening the door for her before she could do it herself. She looked up at me, surprised.
“What?” I said. “I can’t open the door for my girl?”
“Yourwoman,” she corrected, eyes locked on me.
“You got that. Come on.” I held out my hand, and she took it. Her fingers laced through mine, and we walked toward the store together. Shit felt different, walking with Stormie like this. We were out in the open, not pretending or keeping a careful distance. Just us.
Inside, the store smelled like fresh bread, making my stomach growl. Stormie grabbed a basket, and I kept my hand on her lower back as we moved through the aisles. “Okay, so let’s make this quick,” she muttered, looking at the shelves.
We moved slowly through the store, picking up random shit like seasonings, pasta, sauce, chicken, and vegetables. She kept adding things I didn’t think we needed, and I kept putting them back when she wasn’t looking.
“Kade, I saw that,” she said, catching me putting back a bag of chips.
“We don’t need that bullshit. You’ve been hitting the gym with me. Come on, now.”
“Exactly. I’m down five pounds and my edges are growing in,” she laughed, snatching the chips back. “Don’t do me like that.”
We turned down another aisle, and I saw some nigga glance at Stormie as we passed. His eyes lingered a little too long on her legs, and I felt my jaw tighten. I moved closer to her, my hand sliding from her lower back to her hip, pulling her against my side. She looked up at me, confused.
“What?”
“Nothing,” I said. But I looked back at the nigga, making sure he saw my hand on her. Saw that she was with me. His ass looked away quickly.
“Kade, you’re being weird,” Stormie frowned.
“I’m being me.” I looked down at her. “We ain’t just friends anymore, Storm. I don’t want other niggas looking at you.”
“He was just–”
“Aye,” I lifted her chin, kissing her lips. “I said what I said, aight?”
She stared at me for a second, then smiled. “Let me find out this pussy got you crazy this soon.”
“I’ve been crazy over you since day one. I just get to show it now.” She didn’t pull away. If anything, she leaned into me more, and I felt something settle in my chest. She liked that shit. Liked me being possessive, protective.
We made it to the checkout line, and I pulled out my wallet before she could even reach for hers. “Kade–”
“Don’t even start.”
“I already said I was buying the groceries, remember?”
“And the fact that you really thought I was gon’ let you is crazy.” I handed the cashier my card.
Stormie crossed her arms, trying to look annoyed, but I could see the smile she was fighting. “You know I make good money as the lead pharmacy tech, right?”
“And I’m proud of you for getting that raise, but you know wassup with me. I ain’t never changed.”
The cashier smiled as she ran everything up. “You look good together. Hold onto this one, honey,” she said to Stormie. “He's a keeper.”
I watched Stormie’s cheeks go pink again, and I grinned. “Thanks.”
We grabbed the bags and headed back out to my Charger. The rain had picked up again–not heavy, but steady. I loaded the groceries in the back while Stormie climbed into the passenger seat.
My phone buzzed in my pocket as I shut the tailgate. I pulled it out and saw Angel’s name on the screen. I declined the call, put her on block without hesitation, and shoved the phone back in my pocket. When I got in the truck, Stormie was watching me.