Page 69 of The Ninth

“It’s very tacky for a woman to know the price of anything. Not my style.”

“Hmmm.”

The waiter came with a cart. He sat down parker house bread and butter, the waters, the seafood tower, and the bottle of opened wine. I smiled politely as he poured the glasses and Duke made me a small plate.

“Thank you,” Duke and I said at the same time. He chuckled.

“I know manners, G.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

“Do you know Otis?”

Oh my goodness. “No. I think I seen him at a club recently but I didn’t introduce myself or anything crazy. I don’t really know any men here. No one has my number. I don’t hang around any. I’m just now making girlfriends.”

“I was just checking. I also wanted to make sure you was comfortable; you feel me? I’d never put you in a crazy position, on my mama.”

“I was.”

He nodded before silence fell onto us. We ate quietly for just a minute or so. The waiter came back. Duke ordered without opening the menu. A porterhouse and vegetables for him. Branzino, baked sweet potato, and truffle macaroni for me. Once the waiter walked away, he looked down at me.

“I’m thirty, Dev. Folks, I haven’t been in a serious relationship since I was a youngin. You’re the first woman I’ve met in a while that I felt like I could sit down with. For a minute. I catch myself from telling my mama about you. My sibling. I’m taking my time because that’s just how I am....but I also don’t want to scare you away. What do you think.”

“I can’t blame you for feeling that way. Feeling nervous to scare me off. I’ve only dealt with one man years ago and it ended terribly. I dated around casually before that but not since. I’m scared that I won’t know how to handle you.”

“There’s only one way I need my woman to handle me, and you look more than capable.” I glanced up at him before grabbing my glass. “What do you want? In life and in relationship.”

“I’ve just wanted to tattoo! That’s all I’ve ever wanted. When I was in high school, I used to think of all the celebrities I would tat. But that’s not what I want. To travel or be some flashy artist. If they come in, they come in. But I just want one place to create art at forever. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it. I want genuine friends. My relationship with my cousin is the most important to me at the moment, besides you. A piece of me wants a healthier relationship with my parents and grandmother. I don’t know how that will look. I crave stability. Happiness. And community. A village.”

The waiter sat the food down. I didn’t speak this time, allowing Duke to say thank you instead. Once he walked away, Duke looked at me to continue.

“In a relationship, I just want someone who truly wants me. I’ve never been wanted. I’ve never been the only girl. In my heart, I know I deserve a man who swoons for me and no one else. Who will never seek fulfilment elsewhere. A man who is supportive. Patient. I want him to be the first person I think of in a dangerous situation. A best friend. Someone who listens. I want someone who will allow me to learn myself again and see the beauty that they do. I...I do want marriage. And within three to five years, I do see myself with children. Not a lot. But just enough to give them the undivided attention and love they deserve.”

He rubbed my leg softly, nodding. With that, we both picked up our utensils and began eating. I wanted to moan, roll my eyes and gush over how good this fucking food was! I was so impressed over him just ordering for me, knowing it was going to be good. He poured us more wine that was going straight to our heads. His big ass was eating as much as I was. Eventually, he wiped his mouth and sat back.

“Our wants in life and in a relationship are the same. I come from a family of five, so that’s what I’m used to. However, that’s not a dealbreaker for me. There’s no doubt that I will be getting some more nieces and nephews...” he chuckled. “I do want to build and get married. And there’s no other man that will protect you more than me, love you more than me, and dedicate his heart to you.”

“So what now?”

“We move forward with intention. Jokes and flintiness was cool, and I’ve enjoyed it. I just want to move like I’m actively pursuing you. And only you. But...I must warn you.”

“Oh lordddddd!” I groaned. He cracked up laughing.

“The reason I haven’t split you down the middle...kissed you...ate you like you deserved? The reason I’m taking it slow...is because I’m lowkey crazy, folks.”

I cackled loudly, laying into his chest and burying my face. He chuckled and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me in more. “G, I’m dead serious. No funny shit.”

“What’s crazy?”

“Whatever.” I sat back, raising my eyebrows. He nodded his head. “Even after this talk, I want to take it slow. Wrap up anything you got going. I don’t need any exes rising from the dead. No funny shit. Because once I have you, I have you. But I’m not going to let myself crash out if you’re not mine. Not before we stamp our relationship by being intimate and official. I leave my little brother to be the crash out. I try to show him the way but...he’s looney.”

“So a family full of crazy niggas?! Got it!”

He laughed, handing over his card to the waiter. No receipt or bill came. He didn’t know the price and didn’t care.

“Fine then. We’ll wipe our slates clean and then have each other. Officially. And Duke...I need you...”

I gripped his thigh, leaning up into him. He licked those lips that I dreamt were all over my body. His head dipped, kissing the tip of my nose. Our foreheads rested together. I wanted to say fuck everything. Just fuck me in the truck.