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“Thank you, but if you don’t get your hand off me, the only thing that’ll be needed is an ambulance.” I gave her a small smile as hers dropped, and she snatched her hand back. “I’m good, love.”

Hurriedly, she dropped her head and scurried away from the table.

Noemi damn near choked as she held her laugh in.

I wasn’t a rude person, but I have boundaries that will be respected at all times, no matter where I am or who I’m with.

It seemed women thought common decency didn’t apply to them since they had pussies.

“You are something else…” She giggled as she cut into her waffle. “Are you always so brash?”

“I’m always me,” I corrected as I pointed a piece of bacon at her.

“Tell me something about you. Who is Noemi Boudreaux?” I changed the subject because I really wanted to know more about her.

Since picking her up, I’d felt an unexplainable pull, and I needed to figure out the reason with facts, not feelings.

She looked at me as if she was seeing me for the first time, and all I could do was admire her beauty. Today, her locs were flowing freely, and somehow, she was more beautiful than when she was dolled up last night.

“You wanna know something…?” She wiped her mouth before sipping her water.

“No one has ever asked me that before.” She looked off for a moment before giving her attention to me.

“I’m the baby of the family, so I guess you can say I’m spoiled.

” She giggled sweetly. She didn’t even have to tell me that because after watching her interactions with her family, I knew that.

“I love all things tech, so it’s only right that I’m Head of IT at Boudreaux Enterprises. ”

“So this date is on you?” I raised my brow. “Seems to me like you got it.”

“Yeah, it’s nothing.” We shared a laugh at her popping her collar. This girl was witty—fact number one. “I love to travel and have fun. I’m very outgoing and will make the most out of any situation.”

“I can tell.” I nodded as I forked my eggs. “You have a light-hearted energy around you.” Suddenly, I thought about something. “I know you’re part Haitian and all, but I just want you to know… I’m not with that hoodoo shit. I rebuke your ass right now in the name of Jesus.”

Her eyes widened in shock before she threw her head back and laughed. A few people turned to face us, but I’m sure the glare I gave them made them think twice about saying anything that would piss me off.

“Oh my gosh! You have been hanging around Dre, for sure.” She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes as she got herself together. “Listen, I promise you… I don’t practice at all. I’m not ashamed of my heritage, but my brother is by himself with that.”

Nodding, we made small talk while we continued to eat our food. Noemi was a character and had the type of personality that would have a man lost. From the way she smiled to the way she could hold a conversation, she was a rare find.

“Thank you for breakfast. A nigga ready to go home and lay down.” I yawned as we walked through a nearby park.

She thought I was playing about her paying for breakfast until I got to the register and said I left my wallet at home.

The waitress from earlier was still having a hard time making eye contact with us, but Noemi gave in when people began to whisper about a Mills possibly being out here, doing bad.

These people knew me, and the last thing I would ever be is short on cash.

I was more intrigued to see how Noemi would respond to having to pay for breakfast.

“Lie down?” she asked, looping her arm in mine.

I glanced down at where we connected and frowned.

I’m not touchy-feely with these women, but I let her make it.

“I spent my money on you, baby. You owe me some ass.” I looked at her as if she were crazy, and all she did was cackle.

“I’m kidding! I can tell you don’t laugh much. ”

“What makes you say that? A nigga laughs…” I said as we approached a nearby bench.

The weather was so nice out today. At any moment, the sky could open up and pour a bucket of God’s tears on Milly Grove, so when the weather held up, most of us residents took advantage.

I took a seat and watched as the kids ran about as their parents yelled for them to be careful.

This particular park was renovated for the hood after my brother took over as mayor, and the Boudreaux crew did a good job with the construction.

A few city officials side-eyed my brother for having a company outside Milly Grove handle our city’s renovations.

Yet, once them damn Boudreaux’s came and started stacking them bricks, nobody said a word.

Everything they’d done had proven that my brother made the right decision.

I, myself, was thankful for his decision because of the little lady sitting in front of me, smirking.

“I can’t tell…” She settled beside me. “You may smirk here and there, but you don’t laugh. Why?”

“Shorty, I'm just chilling.” I waved her off and went back to viewing the scenery around us. “Since you're all in my business, let me ask you something. You got your shit together, and you’re pretty as hell. Why you don’t have a nigga somewhere beating down your door?”

“Who said I don’t?” She grinned before shoulder-bumping me.

“There are a few guys here and there, but none are worth my time. It’s hard to find someone who wants me for me and not for my name.

Guys either want to be known for fucking with the Boudreaux sister or use me to get close to my brothers.

I’d rather be lonely than have someone near me that I know is only around for the moment. ”

Nodding, I understood all too well. People weren’t genuine these days and only wanted you because of what you brought to the table. I’d be killing hoes left and right if I gave in to every bitch that tried to brush up on me.

“What about you?” she asked as she tapped my leg. “You’re handsome, got money, and you smell good as hell.” I chuckled at her sniffing my shoulder. “Why are you single?”

Looking off, flashes from the past came to mind.

There was a time when I thought I’d found the one for me, but she showed me she was just like the rest of the bitches that wanted to use a nigga.

When I think about it, my ex was probably worse than any broad I’d encountered or would encounter in the future.

“Bitches ain’t really what they say they are.” I shrugged as I peered into her curious eyes. “They claim they love you, but in reality… you’re just a transaction.”

“You want me to beat her up?” She stood before me, doing that little wiggle women do as she pulled up her jeans. “I’m a straight shooter too! Point that hoe out, and I’ll make her bleed today.”

Looking at this girl and how serious she was, I couldn’t help but throw my head back and roar in laughter. My side started hurting as I tried to stop myself from laughing so hard. Seeing she had yet to crack a smile made the shit even funnier—shorty was deadass ready to beat somebody’s ass.

“Whew! Shit, girl,” I said as I calmed down.

Standing, I draped my arm over her shoulder and pulled her to me for a quick hug.

“You were right… I haven’t laughed like that in a while.

I needed that, and I appreciate the offer, but I’m good.

Time has taught me to see people for who they are. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Well, I hope time shows you that I’m not like that.

” Once again, her arms found mine as we continued to make our way through the park.

I’d already figured out that Noemi didn’t care about personal space, or at least she didn’t care about mine.

I knew she didn’t have bad intentions, so I was rolling with it.

“We’re going to be good friends, Jordan,” she continued, smiling at me so brightly that it dimmed the sun. “You need a little joy in your life, and it doesn’t get any better than me.”