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throw on some rouge, and order some takeout to make the house smell like I knew how to cook. I hated feeling pissed and nervous at the same time. Rarely did I ever know which emotion to go from. I sighed as I glanced at my watch. “Okay, Loraine. I’ll get to my lunch and talk to you later. Thanks for asking.”
    â€œNo problem. Tell me how it goes with Tariq tonight.”
    Tariq didn’t show that night, but he did have the audacity to show two nights later. No call, no warning. He popped up at my doorstep with my wallet in tote and an obnoxious smile plastered across his face. If he weren’t such an asshole, I would’ve stood there and stared at his hard jawline, straight teeth, and chiseled cheekbones all night. I pictured myself resting on his sculpted chest while he wrapped his toned arms around my waist. In my fantasy, I crept my hand to the top of his head and ran my fingertips along his tidal waves. He stood there looking good enough to make me wanna get over whatever it was I was angry about. My hair was barely combed. I definitely didn’t have on any makeup, and the house smelled more like leftover frozen pizza as opposed to “home-cooked” Italian food. By that point, I was more interested in getting my wallet than being nervous about a fake date.
    â€œWeren’t you supposed to drop this off like three days ago?”
    He shrugged his shoulders. “I forgot.”
    I put out my hand. Days of worrying about my credit cards being stolen and having to carpool because I had no license, and all this fool had to say for himself was, “I forgot.”
    â€œGimme my wallet, please.”
    â€œYou’re not gonna let me in?” Although he asked a question, it sounded more like an accusation. Either that or he was implicitly demanding an invitation into my apartment.
    I folded my arms over my chest, shook my head, and rolled my neck. “You have some nerve. You’re lucky I didn’t call the police and claim that you stole my belongings. I had to call and cancel my credit cards so I wouldn’t have to worry about you racking up a fortune at my expense.”
    His smiled dropped and his easygoing demeanor changed to that of annoyance. Like that, the Tariq from our date showed up.“You think I’m a thief? Girl, you are crazy. I wasn’t planning to steal yo’ raggedy credit cards.”
    â€œYou’ve had my wallet for almost a week and made no attempts to give it back. I don’t know you. I called you. You never called back. Next thing I know, you’re here. You ain’t have to come see me. You could’ve given my wallet to Loraine.”
    Tariq dropped his shoulders and flashed his Colgate smile. “Well, maybe I wanted to see yo’ pretty face again. You ever thought about that?”
    â€œI ain’t know what to think wit’ you. I ain’t think I’d be walking home in the middle of a thunderstorm on our first date. For alI I know, you could be goin’ ’round stealin’ people’s wallets.”
    â€œThat’s my fault—”
    â€œDang right, it’s yo’ fault! Why the hell should I let you in after the mess you put me through? I ain’t deserve that, Tariq.”
    He hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath. “You’re right. No woman deserves that. I can respect that. A woman who looks out for herself, you gotta respect that. And despite what my actions may have shown, I respect you, Erin.”
    I dropped my arms. I didn’t want to admit that I was flattered by the compliment, but when a man as fine as Tariq flashed his million-dollar Colgates and the moonlight reflected off his brown eyes, I couldn’t help but get flushed. “Are you going to hand me my wallet or not?”
    â€œI was still hoping you’d let me in.”
    â€œThat’s not gonna happen, Tariq.”
    He looked me up and down. I watched him lick his lips as a lion