Page 66 of Lyric Squared

“You’re mine, Lyric,” I reminded her. “No matter what you told that nigga.”

I could see it from across the room, the gnawing of her bottom lip as her eyes closed and then reopened. As if the wordsthat were about to fall from her mouth was painful to conjure, she groaned slightly.

“I know.”

There was nothing left to be said. I walked over to where she stood, grabbed the bag from her hand, and exited her bedroom. As I took the stairs to the first floor, I could hear her behind me. Slowly, hesitantly, she followed my lead. It didn’t matter how she did it though, as long as she did.

EIGHT

As I followedKeanu down the stairs of my home, my heart was torn. There was no place in the world I’d rather spend my night than in his arms, but I’d just made things with Collin official, and I knew that he didn’t deserve what I was willing to put him through for the sake of Keanu. As much as I tried to fight the feeling, it was one that I just couldn’t evade.

Dinner with Laike had put so much into perspective for me. He was right. I was settling for what I thought would guarantee safety, hoping that my happiness wouldn’t be sacrificed. It wasn’t Collin that I craved. It was Keanu. It wasn’t Collin that filled my dreams as I slept. It was Keanu. It wasn’t Collin that my body desired. It was Keanu. The first chance I got, I’d share with Collin that I was sadly mistaken when agreeing to be his woman.

Keanu’s boldness was exasperating. When we stepped outside, and I noticed his truck in front of my house, my nerves began to separate.

“Keanu, can we be a bit more discreet? Please?”

“This is your secret, Lyric. Not mine. I’m a grown ass man, and I’m not hiding from a fucking thing.”

“It’s not hiding,” I reasoned.

“I didn’t pull up when Laike was here. That’s as good as it gets with me, love.”

“Thank you.”

Keanu opened the passenger door of his truck and waited until I was all the way inside before closing it behind me. He tossed my overnight bag in the back, right behind me. It wasn’t until I heard the ruffling of paper before he sat down that I noticed the flowers in his hand. They’d been waiting on the passenger side, wrapped in brown kraft paper with the most decadent aroma.

“For me?” I hummed, accepting the bundled bouquets he was handing me.

“For you,” he said before rolling down the window and getting rid of the end of the blunt he’d been smoking.

Even in the darkness, I could see the beauty of the arrangement. Just like Keanu and I, they were fresh. I stuffed my nose in the middle of the bunch, inhaling and then exhaling.

Tiny bumps raised on top of my skin as I closed my eyes. This beginning wasn’t exactly ideal, but it was ours. I wasn’t sure what would come of it, but for the first time since he’d touched down, I was willing to try. When I found the strength, I would tell him just that. But for now, I simply wanted to savor the moment. Savor us.

“Thank you, Keanu.”

Taking a second to glance in his direction, I voiced my gratitude. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d received flowersfrom anyone that didn’t share a last name with me. I’d almost forgotten how good it felt.

“You’re welcome, Lyric.”

I didn’t miss the sparkling gold in his mouth as what appeared to be a smile altered the features on his face.He’s so darling. His crisp line and thick lips made my lady parts tingle. I’d always thought Keanu was handsome, but as I stared at his side profile, I was beginning to believe it to be an understatement. He was astounding. Unbelievably beautiful. It was inexplicable. He was inexplicable.

Beyond his handsome face, his heart matched. That was the beauty in it all. I knew it because I’d been around him all my life. Admittedly, I wanted him to have mine for the rest of our lives.

“What?” he asked, noticing I was still staring.

“Nothing,” I said, lowering my head with a smile on my face.

“What is it, Lyric Eisenberg?” He chuckled, reaching over and pulling my face in his direction. He divided his attention between me and the road we were on.

“I’m just so happy you’re home.”

“I’m just happy I had you to come home to,” he replied.

“You know…” I hesitated before grabbing his wrist and running my fingers along his hand.

Physical touch. It was my heart’s language. The act spoke to me, directly and intentionally. Feeling Keanu’s skin against mine was as close to caressing my heart as one could get.