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“He’s definitely going to trip.” She mumbled lowly but I heard her real good.

“He be on y’all like that.”

“No.” She huffed. “Just me.”

“Ooooh...” I drawled. “Nigga must was trying to holla.”

“And was.” She giggled. “But I turned him down and he be fucking with me on the cool.”

Adjusting my fitted on my head I declared. “I’ll beat that nigga ass if you want me to.”

“Uh no.” She turned her face up. “I can handle Chucky. You want some wings or something?”

“Nawl. Go handle your tables I’mma sit here and wait on you to come back.”

“Who said I was coming back?”

“Go on Nariah. I’ll be right here.”

“I don’t like you.” She swore before stomping off. I didn’t give a damn ‘bout her saying she didn’t like me. Her lil cute ass didn’t turn me down like she did the last time.

It had been damn near two hours by the time Nariah stopped trying to avoid my ass. I guess she thought I was gone give up and dip out but I ain’t have nothing better to do than fuck with her, so my ass stayed planted.

Sitting down on the couch beside me she rested her head back. “Don’t you got some studio you need to hit up.”

“Nope. I handled my business before I pulled up on you.”

“Ummhmm.” She effused. “I know your girlfriend probably sitting by the phone waiting on you to call.”

“Nawl. I told her I was kicking it with my wife tonight.”

“Boyyyy.” She sang. “I am not your wife.”

“Not yet but you will be.” I avowed. “How much longer you got left?”

“I just clocked out.”

“Ohh so you came to kick it with me huh.”

“Nope.” She raised her head. “Came to tell you thank you for the money and I’ll see you around.”

Leaning over I popped her on the thigh. “Why you giving me a hard time Nariah?”

“Why are you pestering me?” She countered. “I mean I’ve already told you I’m not interested.”

“What you not being interested got to do with me?” I retorted casually.

“I’m just saying. It’s clear you think you can change my mind.”

“Again, I’on give a damn ‘bout changing your mind. I’m tryna change ya heart.”

“Julius.” She bleated.

“Damn…. You must really be falling for a nigga if you calling me by my first name and shit.”

“Somebody must’ve dropped you on your head as a baby.”

“I’mma tell my mama you talking shit ‘bout her.” I joked.

“Julius!” She shrieked and pinched my side. “I didn’t say anything about your mama.”

“I’m fucking with ya. On the real though. All I’m tryna do is take you out to eat Nariah. Hopefully I can change your perception of niggas like me.” I chuckled.

Nariah nibbled on the bottom of her lip and stared off. “If I agree to one date, will you let me be.”

“I ain’t gon’ promise that. Cause I’m tryna get at you on the real.”

“You don’t know me enough to wanna get at me.”

I tossed my arms up and huffed. “That’s the reason I’m tryna take you out.”

Sighing dejectedly, she turned toward me. “Where you tryna take me Julius?”

“Wherever you wanna go.”

“Plan the date, Julius.”

“You gone come for real?”

“Yes.”

“You gone give me your number?”

“Hand me your phone.”

Pulling it out of my pocket I placed it in the palm of her hand. “And don’t give me no fake shit.”

“Shut up.” She laughed. Typing her number in she saved it and passed the phone back to me.

I looked down at the screen and saw she’d put her number in under Nari with a star beside it. “Nari huh?”

“Yep.” She sassed and stood up. “I guess I’ll see you around Julius .”

“You getting ready to leave now?”

“Yeah. I gotta go get my stuff from the back but after that I’m leaving.”

“I’mma walk you out.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Nawl, I do. Its late and anybody could be hiding in the cut waiting to catch a lick.”

“You right.” She shrugged. “Give me a minute.”

“I’ll be by the door.” I specified before following her out of the section. When I made it by the door I stood with my back against the wall and my eyes on the door I saw Nariah enter. I ain’t wanna miss her coming out.

With the wad of cash, I had given her and what I assume she made tonight she ain’t need to be walking outside by herself with all of that on her. Ain’t no telling who saw me hand that shit to her.

As soon as she exited the room her eyes did a quick scan around the crowd before settling on me. She gave me a faint smile before starting in my direction. Out of nowhere Garfield fat ass stepped in front of her blocking off her path. I’on know what he was saying but she didn’t look happy.

Shuffling over to the pair I stepped in front of fatty and glared down at Nariah. “You good?”

“Yes.” She breathed.

“You sure? Cause it ain’t nothing for me to handle that.”

“I’m good Julius.” The smile that spread across her face was the very reason my ass was on some simp shit now. I don’t know what the nigga was saying but I grabbed her by the hand and ushered her away from him.

I didn’t let her go until we was out of the building and across the street nearing the parking lot. “Where yo ride?”

“Over there.” She pointed at the black Toyota Camry.

“Bet.”

“You just insist on making that man hate me.”

“He can hate you all he wants but the nigga better not fuck with you or I’mma bounce his big ass all around his establishment.” I promised, meaning every fucking word.

“Chucky is harmless. The most he will do is fuck with my hours, but I don’t need you ruffling his feathers on account of me.” She retorted before reaching in her purse for her car keys.

“If he cut your hours I’ll pay you for your loss wages.”

“I don’t need you to do that Julius.” Opening her back door, she tossed her duffle bag on the back seat. “You got the number. When you got the date planned hit me up.”

“I’mma hit you up alright.” I leaned in and opened her driver side door. “Get home safely. I’mma text you so you can have my number. Hit me up when you get in the crib.”

“I probably won’t so don’t stay up waiting.”

“You heard what I said.”

Instead of responding to that she replied. “Goodnight Julius.”

“Goodnight Nariah.” After shutting her door, I stood there until she had pulled away from the club.

I can guarantee you Nariah had no clue what she’d signed herself up for.

This date was going to be the first of many.

Just like I was determined to get a record deal, I was equally determined to make her mine.

I had no plans on letting up until she agreed.