Page 14 of The Impossible

“And who the fuck is this?” he asked, obviously angry at something that wasn’t my presence.

“Hondo, what are you doing here?” She didn’t respond to ol’ boy but turned her face in my direction, looking at me.

“The better question is what you’re doing here. Ain’t heard from you since your tantrum the other day, then I hear you’re out to eat with a square, not wearing your ring?”

She immediately looked down at her hand before her eyes found mine again. “You’re reading too much into this, we’re just having din—” she started, but I shook my head.

“I told you that I didn't have any patience and that was a lie. The only patience I have is you. So.”

I held my hand out toward Steeve, my main security. He immediately filled it with a gun that I set on the table in front of her on top of the fucking menu.

“Put your ring back on or I promise you I will end this nigga’s miserable existence right fucking here.” I spoke so calmly I heard her swallow before she reached into her purse and pulled out her engagement ring seconds later. She slid that motherfucker back on her finger so fast I just knew it hurt.

“One more thing, Nic.” I held up my index finger.

She looked at ol’ boy fuming across from her then toward me.

“You in love with this nigga or something?”

She shook her head. “Contrary to whatever you currently believe, I only came here to let him down easy, seeing as how we are engaged. But of course, easy doesn’t happen when you throw tantrums like a baby and call me a whore.”

“I heard that part. He’s about to apologize and congratulate us on our nuptials. Ain’t that right, bitch ass nigga.” I threw my arm over her shoulder.

Ol’ boy looked like he didn’t know what to say, like he was trying to wake himself up from a fucked-up dream. Too bad this wasn’t a dream… well, for him.

“I…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said; I was just angry.” He sounded like a straight bitch and looked from her to me before his last statement. “Also, I’m happy for you and congratulations on your engagement.”

I nodded, and before another word could be uttered, Shawn’s fist connected with his face. I heard his teeth separate from his gums.

His hand immediately went to his mouth, trying to hold in what he could.

“That was for the disrespect. Now get the fuck up out of here and forget you know her. I mean, she’s worth it to me, but not for you to be losing your life over, especially because she was out of your league from the beginning.”

Ol’ boy nearly fell trying to slide out of the booth to leave. He couldn’t get away from me fast enough and that shit was absolutely hilarious.

She spoke, breaking the silence between us.

“You didn’t have to do that. I was letting him down easily.”

“Before or after he disrespected you, Nic? Don’t no nigga who walks this earth get away with disrespecting shit about you.”

She shook her head. “I could’ve handled it.”

“I’m sure you could’ve, but you didn’t have to.”

She didn’t speak, instead picking up the wine glass and putting it to her lips before she glanced around the restaurant. It was empty as fuck. Just me, her and Shawn in this motherfucker. “I’m guessing this was your doing too?” she said, referring to the empty space.

“Yup. You forced my hand.”

She shook her head. “How did I force your hand? I came out to eat, to have a conversat⁠—”

“You could’ve DMed that nigga. Fuck you gotta have dinner with him for? The fuck you didn’t have your ring on for?”

She sighed. “I’m not heartless. Just like I told him face to face I was giving us another chance, I wanted to tell him face to face that I was engaged. And for the record, I’m grown, and also not about to be cooped up in some house or apartment while you’re God knows where doing whatever.”

I read between the lines and nodded. “Aight, Nic.” I was still fuming that she wasn’t wearing her ring, but I could see she wasn’t gonna get that point tonight.

“That’s it? Just aight Nic?”