Page 28 of Reticent

“You have the body for it, though.”

I make a face and look down at my belly. “You’re so full of it.”

Dru lowers his camera to smile at me. “Trust me. I’m a professional. I know these things.” He winks.

I do feel sexy today in my floor-length dress that hugs my curves. Windswept curls fall loosely past my shoulders, and small studs sparkle in my ears. I went light on the makeup, wanting to look as natural as possible.

Dru takes another picture before lowering his camera. “One sec.” He steps up to me with furrowed brows, as if deep in concentration, and sweeps some of my hair behind my left shoulder. “Your tattoo is sexy as fuck.”

My skin tingles as his fingers brush the back of my shoulder.

He backs up and raises his camera. “You’re glowin’ and shit.”

I laugh, and he snaps an impromptu picture. “That’s just a side effect of being pregnant.”

“Nah.” He shakes his head adamantly. “That’s that melanin. I could use a little more.”

I laugh. “Aww.”

“Us light skin brothas are gonna make a comeback. You wait and see.”

I grin, rolling my eyes. “Just take the picture.”

He gives me a sheepish grin. “We’re losing the light. How about we wrap this up and grab a bite to eat?”

I half smile. “I can eat. What did you have in mind?”

“Whatever you want.”

“Fried chicken?”

“Oh, hell yes.”

* * *

Dru suggests a chicken shack across town for us to meet at. I’m still learning my way around, so instead of plugging the address into my phone, I follow behind his truck. Once inside the restaurant, I pick the table, and he orders the chicken. While I wait, I swipe through my phone to kill time.

Not long after, Dru comes to our table carrying a tray that holds a large bucket of chicken, tater tots, biscuits, two sodas, and paper plates.

“What’s the damage?” I ask, pulling my wallet from my purse.

“Nah. This is my treat,” Dru says, plucking some brown paper napkins from the dispenser.

“Thanks.” I drop my wallet back into my purse. The photo shoot and the outfit set me back a bit, so I happily pocket the money.

“So …” Dru pops a tater tot in his mouth and chews. “Tell me about him.”

“About who?” I tear open my packet of honey and squeeze it over a biscuit.

“About your baby daddy.” He leans forward with his elbows on the small table between us.

“Jordyn met him last week. Did she tell you anything?”

“Only that he’s white.”

“She told you that?”

“It was a surprise.”