Page 73 of Taming a Menace

“So what’s the harm now? Meet me there, Moon. Please, baby.”

“OK.” I rushed to answer before I changed my mind.

“You’re coming?” he asked.

“After work though. Let me get myself together first.”

“Don’t stand me up, Iyla.”

“OK,” I said, nodding my head.

“What time are you coming?”

“I want to go home and take a shower first, so maybe six?”

“Six is good. Don’t have me waiting for you if you’re not going to show up.”

“I’m coming, Keywan,” I vowed.

“I need your phone number in case you change your mind. I didn’t like messaging you on that work phone. I figure somebody else might have access to it.”

“You were correct, but you don’t need my number. I’m coming.”

“What do you want to eat tonight?” he asked me.

“You don’t have to cook. I haven’t even eaten this yet,” I said, motioning toward the lunch he’d brought me.

“I’m going to eat anyway so I might as well add your name to the pot.”

“Whatever you make is fine,” I told him.

“Say no if you’re not coming, Iyla. Don’t play with my heart like that,” he insisted.

“I’ll be there. I promise.”

“Don’t play with me. I’m about to turn my truck into a jet getting everything done for the day so I can prepare for you. I’ll be done by four and waiting on you.”

“I’m coming.”

“Good. We’ll see you at six.”

“We who?” I asked.

“Me and our friend,” he said, holding up my rose.

“Oh, give me that, silly.”

He shook his head and moved it out of my reach. “I’ll hold on to this blocking muthafucka. I don’t like how it had you moaning and squirming and shit. That’s my job.”

“Key, stop playing. I have to take it home and clean it.”

“This muthafucka is not about to be getting more pussy than me. You’re turning me down at every pass, but at the same timeyou got the nerve to be taking this little bastard everywhere you go. It’s helping you to fight the urge to ride this dick. I’m not having that. No wonder I can’t get none.”

“Whatever.” I laughed.

“See you later, beautiful,” he said, dipping his head to kiss my forehead.

“See you later, silly.”