Subscribe to Love by Nia Arthurs

Author:Nia Arthurs [Arthurs, Nia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nia Arthurs

Seventeen

AFTER THEIR SHOPPING HAUL, Nelly and Erik returned to the sweltering heat of a normal Belizean afternoon.

Nelly begged and cried until Erik finally agreed to take her to the ice cream shop for a cold treat.

They drove to the nearest store and hopped out of his car, eager to escape from the heat and rest their legs after their long, but productive shopping trip.

The minute they entered the tiny store, the atmosphere changed. The Asian server stopped her work behind the counter and dropped her scoop. The clatter reverberated through the store, drawing every eye to the couple that stood in the doorway.

“Should we go somewhere else?” Erik asked, sensitive to the looks they were receiving.

Nelly shook her head and strode confidently to the counter to wait her turn. Staring was not a new phenomenon, especially when she stepped out with Erik. Nelly liked to think the reason they drew so much attention was because they were two dashing, attractive people.

It had nothing to do with their race.

When it was their turn, Nelly gave her order and Erik followed suit. The woman with silky dark hair and beautiful, almond-shaped eyes served them with a quiet nod, making no comments or otherwise disparaging glances in their direction.

It was easy for Nelly to shake off the awkwardness and, when Erik saw that she was not affected by it, he let it go. The two friends found a table near the window and sat down to enjoy their snacks.

“When are your parents coming home, Nell?”

Nelly licked the drops on her cone and thought. “Next week Sunday, eight days after the wedding. We’re picking them up from the airport at two. Want to join?”

“No thanks. Your parents scare me.”

“What? They love you?”

“Your dad gives me these weird, mad stares. It feels like my life’s in danger every time I’m around him.”

“That’s the way he looks when he likes people.” Erik’s skeptical glance made her laugh and Nelly admitted. “Alright, my dad isn’t your biggest fan. But he would act like that with any guy that I’m close to. Don’t take it personally.”

“Either way, I’m glad they’re coming back and I hope they make it in safely.”

“Thank you.” Nelly leaned forward, her dark eyes intent on Erik’s. “Hey, Rik. Have you noticed anything weird about Aunt Shayla lately?”

“Your aunt is always a vision if that’s what you mean.”

“No.” Nelly frowned. “Not the way she looks. She’s been acting weird. When she comes home from work, she doesn’t stop to talk to me anymore and when I force a conversation, she always finds an excuse to move away.”

“Maybe your breath stinks.”

Nelly wadded up her napkin and threw it at him. “It does not!”

“You have to admit that since you’ve been working from home, you haven’t been keeping up with your cleanliness.” Erik pinched his nose and waved his hand in front of it as if he had caught a whiff of something distasteful.

“Do you want me to come over there and tear your behind?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Didn’t think so.

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