“I may have been temporarily insane for staying as long as I did, but I promise I would rather drag my naked ass over hot concrete before going back to that shit.”
Karlie bursts out laughing, and the sound is contagious. I can’t help but giggle along with her. The brief expression of joy makes me glad that I have people who love me no matter what.
“I’m serious. I’ll never put that much trust in a man again.”
“Now, don’t be so quick. This Luca character sounds like he’s trustworthy.”
I shrug, not agreeing or disagreeing because, honestly, I don’t know much about Luca. But I do know I can trust him with my life. And for me, that says a lot.
“Well, you obviously trust him enough to go out on a date with him. Ya hussy. That’s what I’m talking about, have your own affair. Like I always say, cheat back, sis. These men ain’t shit and don’t deserve your loyalty.”
“Karlie Rae Knox, you know it’s not like that. I would never,” I say, clutching my imaginary pearls.
“Never say never. Besides, the way you described Mr. Luca, it sounds like he deserves a little extra thanks. Gone head andlet him clap them little cheeks,” Karlie replies, shimmying her shoulders.
I can’t help the loud cackle that leaves me. I can say that I have a lot of titties, but when it comes to the booty department I’m severely lacking. What can I say, every black girl doesn’t have a big booty to match the big boobies. I mean, I’m not lacking curves, but I wouldn’t be considered a brick house either.
“Whatever, K.K. Nobody will be clapping these flapjacks anytime soon,” I giggle.
No matter how attracted I am to Luca, I will not jump into bed with him. I have plenty of shit to think about, and falling in lust with a man is not at the top of my list of priorities. I agreed to the date because Luca fascinates me. Getting to know him can be the distraction I need.
I can be platonic friends with a man. Even if he’s the finest man that I’ve ever met.
“Nothing wrong with a little rubbing and touching. I’m just sayin’,” Karlie interrupts my thoughts.
“Cousin, I thinkyoumight be the one who needs to get laid.” I arch my eyebrow and eye my cousin suspiciously.
Karlie is always talking about me getting back out there, but I’ve been staying with her for two months, and she hasn’t gone on one date. I haven’t even heard her mention a man in her life. All she does is work and hang out with me. Not that I’m complaining about the latter.
“The men that I’ve met lately are pure garbage, cousin. I’ll stick to my rose until an Italian stallion gallops in to blow my back out.” Karlie winks with a shrug.
All I can do is shake my head and laugh. Karlie might tell a joke, but she’ll never tell a lie. I love that she’s open and marches to the beat of her own drum.
“You never know. Luca has plenty of gorgeous guys around him.”
“Well, if you see any worth a damn, drop my name. Anyway, you look fabulous. Have a good time on your date,” Karlie says, getting up from where she was sitting on my bed.
“Thanks.” I smile.
“Oh, and drop your location so I know where you are. If you need a rescue, text me and I will call with a family emergency.”
“Girl, you are a mess. But I’ll definitely share my location.”
Before Karlie can respond, the doorbell rings, and I smile. Luca insisted that he picked me up for the date. At first, I didn’t want to tell him where I stayed, but then I remembered his driver dropped me off here. So, he already knew where to find me. I guess I’m just paranoid because I know Ross has been looking for me. Even Talia doesn’t know where I am, and she’s my closest friend.
“Looks like your stallion is here. Do everything I would do,” Karlie laughs as she heads out of the room.
She’s standing in the kitchen where she can see the front door when I open it. Luca is standing there with a dozen red roses. His hair is slicked back, and the faint shadow of a beard is lined to perfection. Of course, he’s dressed in a fitted dress shirt and slacks. I’ve never seen him in anything else.
“These are for you. You look scrumptious.” Luca looks me up and down and licks his lips.
His lustful gaze has parts of me waking up that I swore were in a coma. There’s something about this man. The way he looks at me, his voice, his calm. Luca Dalonzo makes me want to…
Remember platonic friends, Mindy.
CHAPTER
NINE