Page 240 of When a Soul Cries
Her expression changed as she straightened slightly. “I can pay for my own food.”
The quickness of it made me stop joking. Zari never asked me for anything and never seemed impressed by what I drove, wore, or had. Whenever I paid, she always made sure I knew she could handle herself.
“I know,” I said. “I know you can. I wanted to.”
Her fingers moved over the side of her glass while she studied me. Something about money touched a nerve with her, but I wasn't about to dig for an answer she hadn't offered.
“You different,” she said.
My mouth curved. “Different good?”
“I ain't say all that.”
“Different sexy?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Different husband material?”
Her napkin hit me in the chest.
“Now you doing too fucking much.”
I laughed and handed it back. Our fingers brushed, and neither of us moved immediately.
The joking disappeared.
My thumb barely shifted against her finger before she inhaled softly and eased her hand away.
I didn't chase the moment.
A few months ago, I would've pushed. Now I understood something I hadn't before.
Zari would tell me what was behind those walls when she was ready.
A minute later, she reached across the table and stole one of my fries.
“You stealing now?”
“It was one fry.”
“That's how it starts. First my fries, next thing I know my wallet missing.”
She reached for another. “I don't want your little money.”
My hand froze around my glass.
“Little?”
Her lips twitched.
I slowly sat up. “Now hold the fuck on.”
Zari burst out laughing before I could finish.
I sat there watching her, pretending to be offended while something warmer settled in my chest.
I knew attraction.
