Page 22 of Pretty

“It’s been a nice night. I haven’t had this much fun in a long time. It made me think back to my favorite date. I was taken to New York to see a play that I’d been dying to see for a long time. After the play, we’d gone to a restaurant that was an upscale eatery. We had reservations for the rooftop. We sat on that rooftop and talked, ate, and drank until the sun came up. That was my favorite date.”

“What? This isn’t your favorite date?” he asked me with that teasing grin I was coming to look forward to seeing.

I laughed. “You are not going to get me to admit this was a date. It’s not. What was your favorite date?”

“Honestly, Pretty. I can’t say that I’ve had a favorite.”

“Why not?”

“I make it more about her than about me. The experiences are always catered to the woman. I just enjoy spending time with her and watching her reaction to the evening that I’ve created for her.”

“I mean, wasn’t there at least one that you enjoyed more than the other?”

He appeared to think about it for a while, and I realized something that he hadn’t shared with me. Drew must have been a player in his life. I wondered if he’d ever had a genuine relationship. If not, that would explain why he hadn’t had a favorite date. He hadn’t really connected with women except on a sexual level. That was just my guess, though. I wasn’t certain.

“The date that I probably enjoyed the most was an evening dinner cruise on a yacht. We attended a jazz concert in Central Park, and we saw the New York skyline from the dinner cruise later on. It was a beautiful experience, but there again, that was more for her than it was me.”

“That sounds really romantic, though.”

“It was, and she appreciated it. I don’t think that it tops this date, though.”

I shook my head. “Something tells me that you’ve been a player for most or all of your life.”

“I wouldn’t say that I’ve been a player, but I have dated plenty of women. I never had a reason to want more—until now.”

“Mhm. Okay, Mr. Smooth Talker.”

“I’m being honest, and I’m thankful that you invited me on this date tonight.”

I giggled. “You are one persistent man. It’s not a date. We’re just two neighbors, or friends if you want to push it, going out to have fun together and to break the monotony.”

“Now the woman doesn’t even want to claim my friendship. Okay, I see. Well, how about I take you out on a true date and try to beat the record for your favorite date?”

“You can try,” I replied with a wink.

“I’ll plan it, and I promise that it will steal your heart.”

“We’ll see.”

“Oh, before I forget. My sister is planning a housewarming party for me, and I don’t have all the details yet, but I’d like for you to stop by.”

“Sure. Get me the details, and I’ll do my best. I don’t have much on my calendar these days, so I should be able to make it.”

I enjoyed my time with Drew, but I knew that I needed to be cautious with my heart. I wasn’t skilled and cultured in matters of the heart the way most people were, and I damn sure didn’t need it shattered again.

TWO DAYS LATER

The music was loud, the drinks were poured out, and booty was everywhere. I made my way through the crowd, walking past the first bar and by the pool.

Someone dove in, and water splashed out, wetting my leg and my gym shoes. I scowled, and the nigga waved a hand. “My bad, big homie.”

I shook my head and kept walking. After all, I was at a party that happened to have a pool as part of the celebration.

“Hey, do you want a private party or a lap dance?” a stripper with long red hair hanging past her ass asked me. She batted long eyelashes that reminded me of butterfly wings. They were colorful with blue, purple, and gold hues to them. Her face sparkled with a sheen of glitter, and she wore a metallic purple thong to match her high-heeled stripper shoes and nothing else.

“I’m good, beautiful.”

“You sure?” she asked.