Something More by Lee Stevens

Author:Lee Stevens
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Black romance, friends to lovers, Black love, African American romance books, Black romance books, African American romance novels, Black romance novels
Publisher: Lee Stevens
Published: 2022-04-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Kwame returned from the bathroom and everything went sideways. The almost-kiss, that had to be it. He wanted to and he was pretty sure she wanted to but then she pulled back. That he understood, public place and what not but still. Just the thought of kissing her was enough to plaster that stupid grin on his face as he washed his hands. It disappeared once he returned.

On the way back to the hotel, he stuffed his hands in his pockets. Every now and then, he stole glances over at Dee. Her whole body closed off to him with her arms crossed and the expression on her face stoic, bordering on grim. What had been great banter in the restaurant had transformed to this. Maybe her ex was still on her mind. That ring a loud reminder that she was still married.

Divorced. Dee was divorced. Everything about her situation said stay the hell away. But when he looked at her, talked with her, it hit different. Maybe it was nostalgia, the chance to reconnect over a shared experience, or getting to know her now. He glanced over at her again, to find her sneaking a look at him.

He could see the valet cul-de-sac of the hotel. Their time wound down. He paused on the sidewalk, catching her elbow to stop her. The time it took her to finally look at him was like a punch to the gut.

“Is something wrong? I thought we were having a good time.” His neck warmed and he could feel his body wanting to fidget.

Dee sighed, “It’s nothing you did or said.”

His shoulders relaxed but his hackles raised. Something happened. Whatever it was he wanted to know, fix it if he could.

She turned to look at the direction that they came, avoiding his gaze.

“My life is kinda complicated right now.”

Kwame nodded even though she wasn’t looking at him. She fiddled with her wedding band. He took a deep breath not wanting to overstep and yet.

“Something to do with that?” He gently tapped the wedding ring.

The surprise followed by slight suspicion on her face as if trying to read his thoughts before looking down at the ring.

“Something like that,” she whispered.

He waited but the silence between them lengthened.

“You can talk to me, whatever it is.”

Her shoulders tensed and all he wanted to do was reach out and rub the knots out. Listen to whatever she wanted to say or not, whenever she was ready. His hands itched at the idea but he kept them rooted to his side.

Dee sighed and with it he got a small glimpse of the tiredness inside. She opened her mouth but then closed it, pursing her lips instead.

“We should go in,” she said finally.

Taking her lead, they fell in step back to the hotel.

“Well, you have my number,” Kwame offered up as they stood not too far from the elevator banks. He hated the thought of saying goodbye, ending their time together. The vibe at the restaurant was amazing and to end on this note.

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