I hadn't realized I'd fallen asleep until the vibrating of my phone woke me up.

Jaxon.

Clearing my throat, I tried to get the sleep out of my voice, "Hello?"

"How are you?"

Instead of telling him how I actually was, I lied, "I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'd like to see you."

Well I'll be damned.

I did enjoy having sex with him but he was on the larger side, so I was a little sore after yesterday's rendezvous.

I knew I was able to say no to sex as he'd made it quite clear I reserved that right.

"I'm sore." I admitted, "Sorry."

"I said I'd like to see you. Not have sex with you."

"Oh. I thought that meant the same thing."

He chuckled, "It doesn't. How do you suppose I go about doing that?"

"I could come to you." I suggested.

He for sure couldn't come here. I wasn't about to explain to my grandma why a man 8 years my senior was sitting in our living room.

No thanks.

"I live almost an hour away from you. You're okay with driving that far?"

Man, I would drive to the moon.

"That's fine."

I hadn't forgotten when he said he liked to keep this part of his life separate from his other one. It could be because we weren't about to have sex though.

"I'll send you the address." He said, "I look forward to seeing you."

Not responding, I hung up and looked for something to wear. We couldn't exactly be seen in public so I doubted if we went anywhere.

I wanted to be simple but still look like I tried, so I went with a warm brown maxi bodycon dress and nude heels.

After switching from a purse to a wallet, I left out of my room.

My grandma wasn't in the living room but the same man was still on our couch. He looked up as I came

in before quickly looking back at the t.v.

Jr was also sitting next to him, silently playing with action figures.

"Where's Paisley?" I asked.

The man shrugged, "She said she'd be back."

My poor nephew.

As I walked out, I tried calling Paisley's phone multiple times with no answer. I finally sent her a message telling her she was a disgusting person who didn't deserve to be Jr's mother.

I bet she'll respond to that.

Traffic was light so it didn't take the full 45 minutes as suggested by the gps to make it to his housing community.

I looked at the at the message to see the code he'd sent and entered it, waiting for the gates to open.

It wasn't surprising to me that he lived in the center of the Cul-de-sac. It again fit him in terms of what type of things he liked.

My Toyota looked out of place compared to the BMW's and Lexus's that lined the street.

Even the air smelled like money.

I walked to the front door slowly, observing my surroundings and looking for things that may indicate a woman's touch.

He said he wasn't married but men lie all of the time so you can never be too sure.

Knowing him though, he probably hired a gardner, a interior designer, the while nine.

Before I could ring the doorbell, he pulled it open, "Hello."

"Let's try this, repeat after me, "What's up?"

The way he spoke didn't really bother me, it was just a way for me to break the ice when we spoke and he always laughed.

"What's up?"

Laughing, I walked into the house, "Nevermind."

"Do I get a tour?" I asked as I looked at the decor in his home.

"After we eat."

"I didn't know you cooked.

His fingertips grazed my side, "I don't. I have a chef."

Typical.

The path to the kitchen stopped when I saw a picture that confused me.

I tilted my head to the side and picked the frame up, "Who are they?"

"My family."

"Your family is...white?"

"Yes. Does that bother you?"

I loved how he was always considerate, making sure to ask how things made me feel.

The only boyfriend I'd had was in high school. He was nice but wasn't attentive, everything had to be spelled out for him.

"It doesn't." I replied putting the picture back, "I'm just surprised is all."

Jaxon reached around me to straighten it, making me smile, "I'm adopted."

"Clearly."

His hand pulled me towards the kitchen where the table was set with wine glasses and plates.

"What are we eating?"

"Grilled lamb chops and roasted potatoes. We'll have a salad as well."

As soon as I was seated, the chef brought the food out, smiling at me as placed it on my plate.

"Thank you."

The same steps were repeated with Jaxon, and then he quickly left the room.

We were quiet at first, the both of us enjoying our food.

"What do you usually do on weekends?" He asked.

"Just relax really. You?"

"Homework."

I looked up in surprise, "You're in school?"

"I only have my master's. I need a doctorate if I want to work at a university and be a tenured professor."

Well that explains why he didn't call me. He was busy, probably writing long ass papers.

At this point, I could tell we had some sort of a friendship since I was here eating good ass food without sex being expected from me when were done.

Still wouldn't hurt to ask.

"Are we friends?" I blurted out before I could stop myself from asking.

After I said it, I wish I would've worded it differently because I felt childish.

He looked like he didn't understand, "Friends as in?"

Oh God. Someone come shoot me.

"As in friends. You know like, people you talk to, hang out with?"

"Oh." He replied, "I suppose we are. I don't invite just anyone into my home."

Nodding, I stared at my plate, wanting more food.

Mistaking that for embarrassment Jaxon said, "I didn't mean to embarrass you. You can call me whenever you want and I'll likely always answer."

"Thank you, but I'm not embarrassed, I'm still hungry."

He laughed and called for the chef to bring a second serving.

_____

author's note: the second book where people are adopted. kyser's situation w/ her mom putting her up for adoption & her grandma raising her is actually mine, except i still talk to my mom lol.

thanks for reading 💕