By halftime, Annie heads toward the concession stand. The line is long. Kids are running around. Parents are yelling over the crowd. The smell of hot dogs and nacho cheese still fills the air.
She’s studying the menu when someone taps her shoulder. Annie already knows who it is. She turns around. Annoyed.
His grin widens. “It’s good to see you. I’m glad you came.”
She clicks her tongue. “I came to watch the game, not your ass.”
Annie raises a brow. “Ain’t you supposed to be sitting on the field?”
He waves her off. “I do what I want. You know this.”
Annie folds her arms. “Please. Ain’t yo girlfriend somewhere around?”
Ryan’s jaw tightens immediately.
He looks away for a second. Then back at her. “Anyway… so you really just done wit me?”
Annie stares at him. “Didn’t you get my letter?”
“Yeah I got it and I ripped that shit up too.”
“Then why are we having this conversation?”
Ryan exhales heavily. “Because I thought we was better than that.”
Annie’s voice is firm. “You chose who you wanted.”
She cuts him off. “You don’t get to disrespect me and then come back when you feel like it.”
Ryan shakes his head. “I miss you though.”
She points at him. “That was a choice.”
Ryan’s expression hardens. “Damn, everybody make mistakes.”
“No. You wanted to kiss her.”
“Admit it. You wanted to.”
Annie continues. “And then to add insult to injury, you got in a whole relationship with her.”
She steps around him. “Leave me alone.”
Ryan grabs her wrist. “Don’t leave.”
Annie freezes. Slowly looks down at his hand. Then back up at him.
Her eyes go wide. “If you don’t let me go.”
Something in her voice makes him release her immediately. Annie jerks her arm away. Then walks off without another word.
Ryan watches her leave. Anger bubbling beneath the surface…
The game ends with a home team victory. The crowd spills from the field in every direction. Students laugh. Car horns sound in the parking lot. People celebrate as they head toward their cars. Annie is walking beside Devin, laughing about something, when somebody slams into her shoulder. Hard.
Annie stumbles. “What the hell?”
She turns around. Dana. Of course.
Dana folds her arms. “Watch where you goin’, bitch.”
Annie instantly shakes her head.
“Nah. You watch it, hoe.”
Dana’s eyes widen. “Hoe?”
“Yeah. You heard me. Hoe.”
Dana steps closer. Immediately.
Ebony slides between them.
“Bitch, you just mad ’cause I got yo man.”
Annie laughs. Really laughs. “Mad?”
She points at Ryan standing several feet away. “Girl, you can have his sorry ass.”
Dana’s face twists. “Please.”
Annie keeps going. “Tell yo man to stop begging me.”
Dana scoffs. “I doubt that.”
Annie shakes her head. “If I wanted yo man back, you would’ve been good and dropped.”
“Oooohhhhh!” Devin yells.
Ebony immediately turns. “Devin!”
Dana takes another step forward.
Ebony throws her hands up. “Y’all chill out.”
“Nah.” Dana points at Annie. “This bitch think she can take my man.”
Annie laughs again. “You got one more time to call me a bitch.”
Dana smirks. “Or else what?”
She steps even closer. “What you gon’ do, bitch?”
Immediately. Devin and Ebony grab her.
Annie jerks against them.
Dana steps backward. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
Annie points at her. “Nah. You lucky.”
Annie stares at her for a second.
Then suddenly reaches into her purse.
Everybody freezes. Dana’s friends look confused. Annie pulls out a stack of folded letters. Ryan’s letters. Every last one.She throws them directly at Dana’s chest. The papers scatter everywhere.
Dana jumps. “What the hell?”
Annie points toward Ryan. “Now keep your dog on a leash.”
The crowd around them erupts.
Dana and her friends scramble to pick the letters up.
Meanwhile Devin is bent over laughing.
She wipes tears from her eyes.
“Not you threw the damn letters at her.”
Annie is still fuming. She doesn’t even respond.
They walk off. Ebony wraps an arm around her shoulders. “It’s cool, Annie.”
Ebony nods. “But calm down.”
Devin finally catches her breath.
“She only mad ‘cause she saw y’all talking at the concession stand.”
“I saw her staring too,” Devin adds.
Annie throws her hands up. “See?”
She shakes her head. “This is exactly why I ain’t never taking him back. Too much drama.”
Devin adds “Way too much.”
Ebony sighs. “That’s ’cause everybody want him and he wants you.”
“Not now, Ebony.” Devin says
Rhonda finally cuts in. “Nah, Annie right.”
Rhonda shrugs. “A dude ain’t worth all this shit.”
“If you gotta fight other girls, deal with jealousy, and constantly wonder what he doing…”
Rhonda shakes her head. “Then he ain’t worth having.”
For once, somebody gets it. And as she looks over at Dana arguing with Ryan while holding those crumpled letters…Annie realizes she doesn’t miss him at all, not even a little bit.
Down in the city Smoke is pulling up to Pete’s Place. The club sits on the east side and has a completely different vibe than most spots in Kansas City.
Pete’s was twenty five and up.
No teenagers. No knuckleheads.
No constant fights. No riff raff.
Just grown folks drinking, dancing, and having a good time.
The music was a mix of old school and new school. One minute you’d hear Maze and Frankie Beverly, the next it’d be Usher or Alicia Keys.
Smoke wasn’t twenty-five yet, but that didn’t matter. His mama had known Pete for years.
Smoke parks and climbs out.
His friend Tobias is already waiting.
A skinny high yellow dude with braids.
The bass vibrates through the floor beneath their feet. Colored lights dance across the crowded room.
Women laugh loudly near the bar.
Couples fill the dance floor.
The smell of perfume, cigarette smoke, and liquor hangs in the air.
Usher’s “Yeah!” is blasting through the speakers.
Smoke and Tobias post up against the wall.Just watching.
People immediately begin speaking.
A few regulars shake Smoke’s hand.
Some older hustlers nod at him.
A couple of clients stop him for quick conversations.Smoke handles it all casually.
Then Tobias nudges him. “There go Tamika.”
Smoke follows his gaze. Sure enough. Tamika is on the dance floor.Dancing with her friends. She looks good.But he doesn’t feel a damn thing.
Tobias looks at him. “Nigga, you ain’t gon’ go speak?”
Smoke takes a sip of his drink. “I been off that.”
Tobias smirks. “I forgot. You on Monica now.”
Smoke immediately cuts his eyes at him.
“I ain’t on that either.”
Tobias laughs. “Man, whatever.”
Tobias side eyes him “You spend a lot of time over there.”
“Nigga, my brother live there.”
Tobias lifts his hands. “I’ma leave it alone.”
Smoke is grateful he does. Because he doesn’t feel like explaining shit. A few moments later, Tamika spots him. The second their eyes meet, Smoke already knows what’s coming. He exhales heavily. Here come the bullshit.
Tamika makes her way across the floor. Confident. Like she belongs there. Like nothing ever happened.
She stops in front of him. “Sup Elijah.”
Smoke’s jaw immediately twitches.
Tamika sucks her teeth. “Damn. It’s like that?”
Smoke folds his arms. “It is.”
She studies him for a moment.
“What the fuck you want, Tamika?”
She rolls her eyes. “I ain’t heard from you in a while.”
“I know you been messing wit Monica and the rest of them hoes you be dealin’ wit but damn.”
Tamika continues. “I used to mean somethin’ to you.”
Her face hardens. “That’s cold.”
Smoke shakes his head. “What’s cold is trying to have yo bros shoot at me.”
Tamika’s expression immediately changes.
Smoke leans forward slightly
“You think I forgot that shit?”
The tension between them thickens instantly. The music keeps playing.
People keep dancing. But the conversation turns ice cold.
Tamika folds her arms. “Man, let that shit go.”
Smoke laughs. A dark laugh. “Fuck No. You out yo fuckin mind.”
Tamika drops her arms “You tried to play me and I ain’t no bitch you can play wit.”
His voice drops lower. “You lucky I ain’t kill them niggas.”
“I had to think about yo mama.”
His eyes lock on hers. “That’s the only reason you and them niggas still breathin’.”
Tamika’s confidence disappears. Just a little. “You don’t mean that shit.”
Before Smoke can answer, movement near the entrance catches his attention. His mother walks through the door. His Aunt Racheal right beside her.
Smoke immediately looks back at Tamika.
“Get the fuck out my face, Tamika.”
She starts to speak. He points toward the entrance. “Before I have my mama beat the fuck out you.”
Tamika turns. Sees Yolanda.
And immediately decides she’s had enough. She sucks her teeth and walks away. Smoke watches her go.
Then turns toward his family.
His mama spots him immediately.
Smoke groans. “What y’all doin’ here?”
Aunt Racheal laughs. “Nigga, we came to have a good time. What else?”
Smoke shakes his head. “Y’all too old.”
Yolanda immediately smacks his arm.
“Boy. You ain’t never too old.”
Before Smoke can respond, The Whispers’ “In the Mood” comes through the speakers.
The crowd immediately reacts.
A few people cheer. Others rush toward the dance floor.
Aunt Racheal’s eyes light up. “Oh yeah.”
Smoke already knows. “No.”
She grabs his hand. “Come two step wit yo auntie.”
Smoke groans dramatically. “I don’t feel like it.”
His mama points toward the dance floor.
“Get out there with yo auntie and two step. Ain’t nobody in here worried about you.”
Before Smoke can escape, Aunt Racheal drags him onto the floor.
The crowd parts. People already know what time it is.Two-stepping wasn’t just dancing in Kansas City.
It was serious business. There were competitions. Championships.
People practiced for years.
You had to know how to stay on beat.
Know your spins. Know your footwork.
Know how to lead. Know how to follow. Yolanda had taught both her sons when they were little.
And Smoke had become damn good at it. The music swells.
Smoke immediately falls into rhythm.
Aunt Racheal laughs as he guides her effortlessly. They move like they’ve done this a thousand times. Because they have.
People stop dancing just to watch.
Women smile. Men nod approvingly.
They both spin. Smoke Catches her hand again. Never missing a beat. Not once. The song ends to applause and whistles.
Aunt Racheal laughs. “Still got it.”
Back near the wall, he spends the next hour handling a few transactions and speaking with clients. Business never stopped. Not even at the club.
Throughout the night, women approach him. Young women. Older women. Some asking him to dance. Others just trying to flirt. Every single one gets the same answer.
“Nah.” “No thank you.” “I’m cool.”
Tobias finally notices. “Nigga, what’s wrong wit you?”
Smoke laughs. “Ain’t shit wrong wit me.”
“Then why you turnin’ down everybody?”
Smoke looks toward the dance floor.
The colorful lights flash across the room. Couples sway together.
Laughing. Dancing. Enjoying themselves.
For some reason…His mind drifts somewhere else.
To a pretty girl with a wrap and glossed lips. A girl who gets flustered when he looks at her. A girl who smiles like she doesn’t realize how beautiful she is. A girl who probably doesn’t even know how to two step.
A small smile pulls at the corner of his mouth.
Tobias catches it immediately. “There it is.”
Smoke shakes his head. “What?”
“You thinkin’ about somebody.”
Because for once…Tobias is actually right.
🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀The next evening at Red Lobster, the restaurant is absolutely packed. Saturday nights were always busy. Families crowd the waiting area near the entrance. Kids run between tables while parents try to wrangle them. Servers weave through the dining room carrying trays loaded with shrimp scampi, lobster tails, and baskets overflowing with cheddar biscuits.
The air is thick with the smell of garlic butter, seafood, and fryer oil. Orders are flying into the kitchen nonstop. The ticket machine won’t stop printing. The entire restaurant feels like controlled chaos.
So far Annie has been holding her own.She’s actually proud of herself. She’s greeting tables faster. Remembering biscuits. Keeping drinks filled. Remembering to smile even when her feet hurt. For most of the night she’s been doing good. Then the dinner rush really hits. And suddenly she’s drowning. A hostess appears beside her. “Double sat.”
Annie looks down at the chart.
A three-top. And a six-top.
At the same time. “Oh Lord.”
She grabs her order pad and heads toward the first table. Then the second. She moves as fast as she can.
Drink orders. Appetizers. Refills.
Questions about menu items.
Children wanting crayons.
The six-top alone feels like three separate tables.
By the time she finally gets a chance to breathe, she rushes to one of the computers to enter everything.
She flips through her order pad.
She starts to put the Three-top in
She flips the page. And freezes.
Her stomach immediately drops.
From the six-top she put in earlier
Written on the back of the page.
One she never entered. “Oh my God.”
The color drains from her face.
She stares at the screen.
The rest of that table’s food is probably already cooking.
If she doesn’t get that steak started now, everybody else’s food is going to come out first.
The customer is going to be sitting there watching everyone eat while they wait.
Her heart starts pounding harder.
Panic immediately settles in.
She can practically feel Michelle’s disappointment already.
Without thinking, Annie takes off running toward the kitchen.
The heat hits her instantly the second she pushes through the doors.
Fryers hiss. The grill sizzles.
Cooks yell orders back and forth.
Annie rushes to the service window.
Her voice cracks slightly. “Can you cook a medium-rare steak for me real quick? I forgot to put it in!”
Across the kitchen, Smoke is helping at the fryers. His back is turned.
But the second he hears Annie’s voice, his attention sharpens. He doesn’t turn around. Doesn’t need to.
He can hear the panic. The frustration. The embarrassment. He immediately knows something went wrong.
Brandon looks up from the grill. “Where’s the ticket?”
Annie swallows. “I forgot to put it in.”
She looks mortified even saying it.
“I’m gonna go do it right now.”
Brandon shrugs. “No ticket. No steak.”
Her shoulders sag. “Can you at least start cooking it for me?”
Brandon doesn’t even look at her. “Not until I have a ticket.”
Smoke’s jaw tightens instantly.
He keeps dropping baskets into the fryer, but irritation crawls up his spine.
The girl has been working there what?
She’s obviously new. Obviously overwhelmed. And anybody with eyes can see she’s panicking.
Mistakes happen. Especially on a Saturday night. Brandon could easily throw the damn steak on the grill and save her table.
Instead he’s doing what Brandon always does. Being an asshole just because he can.
Annie’s face falls. “Okay.”
Her voice is quiet this time.
Defeated. She turns around and practically stomps back toward the dining room.
The frustration on her face bothers him more than it should. A lot more.
The second she’s gone, he shakes his head.
“Man, that’s some bullshit.”
Brandon shrugs. “Nigga it’s the Rules.”
Smoke sucks his teeth “Yeah. Aight nigga”
He doesn’t say anything else.
But he already knows what he’s about to do.
Meanwhile Annie is trying not to lose her mind. Both computers are occupied when she gets back to the server station.
She bounces anxiously from foot to foot while waiting.
Every second feels like an hour.
Come on. Come on. Come on.
Finally a computer opens up.
She practically throws herself in front of it. Her fingers fly across the screen.
She enters the steak. Hits send.
Then immediately rushes back toward the kitchen.
Please don’t let that customer be mad.
Please don’t let that customer be mad.
Please don’t let that customer be mad.
The thought repeats over and over in her head.
She arrives at the service window and immediately looks toward the grill.
Toward Brandon. Her stomach twists.
Brandon’s back is turned.
He’s busy working another order.
Before Annie can even open her mouth—A plate slides through the window. Right in front of her.
She blinks. A medium-rare steak.
Juices still glistening beneath the kitchen lights. Steam rising from the plate.
Then follows the arm attached to it.
Her eyes widen. She points at herself.
The relief that washes over Annie is immediate. It hits so hard she almost laughs. The knot in her chest loosens instantly. Oh my God. She doesn’t say it out loud.
But it’s written all over her face.
Then she smiles. A real smile. Big. Bright. Grateful. The kind that reaches all the way to her eyes.
And just like every other time she smiles at him… Smoke feels it. Right in his chest.
His stomach drops. Again.
It makes absolutely no sense.
She’s just smiling. That’s all.
But somehow that smile hits him harder than it should. Hard enough that he has to look away for a second.
Annie clasps her hands together in front of her chest. Like she’s praying. Her eyes full of gratitude.
Then she mouths: Thank you.
Smoke can’t help the smirk that tugs at the corner of his mouth.
Then mouths back: No problem.
Annie grabs the plate carefully.
Still smiling. Still looking relieved.
Then hurries back toward the dining room.
Smoke watches her disappear through the kitchen doors.
And for the rest of the night, every time he thinks about that smile…
He catches himself damn near smiling too.
It’s the following Wednesday evening.
Annie is stretched out across her bed in an oversized T-shirt and shorts, absentmindedly flipping through a magazine, looking at hairstyles.
The television is on low, playing reruns she isn’t really paying attention to.
Her mind keeps drifting. To work. To the money she’s been making. To Smoke.
Her cell phone suddenly rings, causing her to jump. She reaches over and grabs it from her nightstand. Rhonda.
Annie smiles and answers. “Girl, call the house phone. It’s not after nine. You know my minutes ain’t free.”
Rhonda laughs. “You right.”
Annie laughs too and hangs up.
About a minute later, the see through corded phone rings on her nightstand. Annie sits up and grabs it. “Hello?”
“What you doing?” Rhonda asks.
“Nothing, girl. Just laying here.”
Rhonda pauses. “Anyway, let’s go to the mall Saturday.”
Annie perks up a little. The mall. She hasn’t been shopping in a minute. She thinks about the money tucked inside the little box in her dresser.
Money she earned. Her money.
A smile pulls at her lips.
Shopping actually sounds nice.
“Okay. We going to Bannister, right?”
Rhonda immediately scoffs. “Girl, hell nah.”
Annie pulls the phone away from her ear.
“We going to the Landing.”
Annie’s mouth falls open. “The Landing?”
“Girl, my parents ain’t never gonna let me go in the city.”
Rhonda laughs. “You act like we going to another state.”
“I’m serious! My daddy barely let me go anywhere.”
“Then have him drop you off at Bannister.”
Rhonda keeps talking. “We can catch the bus there and back.”
Annie sits quietly. Thinking.
It honestly doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
And the Landing had some of her favorite stores. Way better than Bannister.
She could finally buy herself something nice. Maybe a new outfit. Maybe some jewelry. Maybe just enjoy having money in her pocket for once.Still… She knows her parents would absolutely lose it if they found out.
Rhonda senses her hesitation. “Come onnnnn, Annie.”
Annie sighs. “I don’t know.”
Another pause. Then Annie gives in.
Rhonda squeals. “Yesssss!”
“But,” Annie quickly adds, “we gotta make sure we get back in time.”
“I can’t wait. We finna have so much fun.”
For the first time in a while…
Saturday finally comes, and around noon, Annie is in the car with her dad. She looks over at him. “Thank you for lettin’ me go,”
He looks back, one hand on the wheel. “You’re welcome. I know I gotta give you more freedom since you’re eighteen now.”
Annie smirks and looks out the window. Progress.
They pull up to Bannister Mall, and Annie quickly unbuckles her seatbelt.
She hops out, then leans back into the open window. “I’ll call you when I’m done.”
“Okay,” her dad replies. “Be careful.”
She shuts the door and watches him pull away.
As soon as she steps inside the mall, she spots Rhonda standing near the entrance.
“There yo’ slow ass go,” Rhonda teases.
Annie laughs and hugs her.
The two of them stand by the doors, watching her dad’s car disappear from the parking lot.
The second it’s out of sight, Rhonda grabs Annie’s hand. “Come on.” Annie laughs.
They hurry back outside and head toward the bus stop.
A warm September breeze blows by as they sit on the bench.
“I hope we meet us some fine ass niggas down there,” Rhonda says. “The Landing got all the fine ones, Annie. Watch.”
Annie busts into giggles. “Look at you. You don’t even care about gettin’ no clothes.”
“And I don’t,” Rhonda says with a shrug. “Unless I’m tryna impress a nigga.”
Annie throws her head back laughing.
“I ain’t crazy. I’m realistic.”
Annie looks at her. Rhonda looks back at her.
Then both of them bust out laughing.
♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️
Smoke’s driving through the city with Tobias riding shotgun.
The windows are cracked just enough to let the warm breeze in. A CD is playing low in the background while they cruise down the street with no real destination.
Smoke glances down at his feet.
Then shakes his head. “Aye, let’s hit the Landing real quick. I need some more Forces.”
Smoke lifts his foot. “I done creased these.”
Tobias busts out laughing. “Man, you got too many damn shoes.”
He shakes his head. “Them shoes still look brand new.”
Smoke sucks his teeth. “Nah.”
He glances at his shoes again. “These threw”
Tobias laughs even harder. “Threw? Nigga, I don’t even see the crease.”
Tobias looks at him like he’s crazy.
Smoke shrugs. “You can never have enough shoes.”
He lifts his foot again. “And you know I don’t do creases in my shit.”
Tobias shakes his head. “You bougie as hell.”
Smoke grins. “Nah. I just take care of my shit.”
“Man, whatever.” A small laugh leaves him. “Yeah aight. Let’s go.” He sits up a little. “I need me a pair too.”
Smoke smirks and turns toward the highway. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
The two continue riding toward the Landing, completely unaware that Annie and her friend are headed there too.
♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️
They finally make it to the Landing.
Music plays softly over the speakers while people crowd the walkways carrying shopping bags. Kids run ahead of their parents, teenagers gather in groups, and the smell of pretzels, cinnamon, and popcorn fills the air.
Rhonda’s eyes light up the second they walk through the doors. “Aye girl, let’s go to Wet Seal first.”
Annie huffs. “I wanted to go to The Limited first.”
Rhonda hooks her arm through Annie’s. “We can go there next.”
The store is full of bright colors and trendy outfits. Rhonda immediately starts digging through racks. Annie takes her time. She smiles as she flips through the clothes. This feels nice. Really nice.
She has money in her purse. Her money. And for the first time, she doesn’t have to ask anybody for permission to buy herself something.She picks out a couple of cute outfits. Then grabs some jewelry.
A gold necklace. A few bracelets. And some hoop earrings.
Rhonda holds up a shirt. “This cute?”
Annie squints. “Mmm… it’s a no.”
Rhonda gasps. “You a hater.”
Annie laughs. “I saved you.”
Afterward, they head into Spencer’s.
Immediately Rhonda starts laughing at some of the weird stuff sitting on the shelves.
Annie spots something. “Ooh!”
Annie points. “Let’s grab some magnetic earrings.”
Rhonda looks confused. “What for?”
“I want a cartilage piercing.”
She sighs. “But my parents won’t let me, so these will do.”
Rhonda laughs. “I guess.”
A few minutes later, they’re walking out of the store.
Both girls immediately take the earrings out of the packaging.
Annie carefully places one on her ear.
Then they both stop and stare at each other. “Oh my God.”
“It actually look real!” Rhonda says.
They spend the next few minutes admiring themselves in store windows.
Eventually, they end up at the photo booth in the middle of the mall.
Annie laughs. “You so childish.”
She pulls the curtain closed.
They kiss each other’s cheeks.
They make the ugliest faces they can.
They throw up peace signs and start laughing before the picture even snaps.
The photo strip prints out.
Annie smiles. “We look cute.”
They step out of the booth and continue walking. As they pass a group of guys leaning against the railing, one whistles. “Damn!”
Another one grins. “Where y’all headed?”
Annie immediately blushes.
Rhonda busts out laughing.
She eats that kind of attention up.
“Damn,” she says. “They fine.”
She starts slowing down. “Let’s go talk to them.”
Annie looks horrified. “No.”
Annie grabs her arm. “I’m trying to go to Topsy’s.”
Rhonda laughs.”Look at yo scary ass.”
Rhonda starts walking backward.
“You need a new nigga to help you get over Ryan ass.”
Annie rolls her eyes. “I been over him.”
Rhonda smirks. “I can’t tell.”
Annie laughs and shakes her head.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mall, Smoke and Tobias are leaving Foot Locker.
Both have shopping bags in hand.
Smoke ended up buying another pair of Forces and immediately put them on.
Tobias shakes his head. “I still think you crazy.”
Smoke grins. “You just don’t understand.”
Tobias suddenly stops. “Aye, let’s stop by Topsy’s.”
Smoke looks at him. “For what?”
Smoke chuckles. “Nigga, you always need some popcorn.”
“Topsy’s got the best damn popcorn in the city.”
Smoke can’t even argue with that.
Topsy’s was a staple at the Landing.
It carried every flavor imaginable.
Caramel. Cheese. Butter. Cinnamon.
People literally came to the mall just for the popcorn.
Smoke smirks. “Aight. Let’s go.”
The two start walking toward Topsy’s.
Completely unaware that Annie and Rhonda are headed there too.
The line at Topsy’s is long.
Teenagers crowd the small popcorn shop, laughing loudly and arguing over flavors. The sweet smell of caramel popcorn mixes with buttery cheddar and cinnamon sugar, filling the air.
Annie and Rhonda get in line.
Annie immediately starts looking inside the glass showcase. There are rows and rows of popcorn.Caramel. Cheddar. Butter. Cinnamon.
Chocolate drizzled. Every flavor imaginable.
“Girl, I don’t even know what I want,” Rhonda says.
Meanwhile, Smoke and Tobias walk into Topsy’s.
And Smoke stops dead in his tracks.
His eyes lock onto her instantly.
She’s wearing a short denim skirt and a white off shoulder Baby Phat crop top that shows just a sliver of her stomach.
A silver herringbone chain rests against her chest, matching the silver bracelets on her wrist.
Fresh white Reebok Classics cover her feet.
But it’s her hair that gets him.
Long curls from a roller set.
Every time she moves her head, the curls sway softly against her shoulders.
Her legs shine from baby oil.
Smoke’s heart damn near stops.
But out here? Looking like this?
Tobias notices Smoke isn’t moving.
Smoke blinks. “Yeah, bro.”
He clears his throat. “I’m good.”
He’s absolutely not good.
Because he can’t stop looking at her.
She sees this fine ass man staring holes through her friend.
She immediately leans toward Annie.
“Hmm?” Annie says absently.
“Some fine ass nigga staring at you.”
Annie looks up. And freezes.
Her stomach drops instantly.
She can’t even pretend he doesn’t.
He’s wearing a green and white striped Rocawear polo with baggy dark-blue jean shorts.
A brand new Boston Celtics fitted sits low on his head with a durag underneath.
A platinum chain hangs around his neck. A Rolex shines on his wrist.
Big diamond studs glisten in his ears beneath the bright mall lights.
And fresh white Air Forces.
Everything about him screams effortless. Like he didn’t even try.
But somehow still looks perfect.
Annie’s eyes slowly travel from his shoes all the way back up.
Then she hurries and looks away.
And why does he look this damn good?
Smoke and Tobias get in line directly behind them.
Annie doesn’t say anything.
Then his cologne reaches her.
Burberry Brit. Warm. Clean.Masculine.
It instantly surrounds her.
Rhonda’s eyes get even bigger.
She whispers. “He ain’t took his eyes off you yet.”
“And his friend fine as fuck too.”
Because Annie can barely breathe.
Smoke steps up beside her to look into the glass case.
She can feel his body heat.
Then he catches a soft scent.
Sweet. Pretty. Just like her.
Smoke pretends to study the popcorn.
But he’s not looking at popcorn.
He’s stealing glances at her side profile. She’s even prettier up close.
Her skin is glowing. No makeup.
And somehow that’s making him look harder.
He’s never seen her outside of work.
Never seen her in regular clothes.
And now that he has…Yeah.
And her hair… The curls bounce every time she turns her head toward her friend.
They look so soft. So full.
For a crazy second, he wonders what they’d feel like wrapped around his fingers.
The thought catches him off guard.
He shifts. Moves a little closer.
The contact is brief. But enough.
This is the closest they’ve ever been.
She can feel the warmth radiating from him. Smell his cologne.
Her heart is beating so hard she’s almost positive he can hear it.
She steals another glance.
This time, she notices things she hadn’t before.
His beard. Trimmed perfectly.
The way his earrings catch the light.
He really is fine. Like…ridiculously fine.
Just then Smoke turns his head fully toward her and stares back.
Tobias looks between them.
Then back at Smoke. Then at Annie.
His eyebrows slowly rise.
At the same time, Rhonda is doing the exact same thing.
Her eyes move from Annie…
Then she looks up and catches Tobias looking too.
Both of them silently thinking:
These two got some shit going on.
Even though they haven’t said a single word.
Tobias breaks the silence.
“Aye bro, what you gettin’?”
Smoke finally looks away from Annie.
He smirks. “I like my shit sweet.”
He points toward the case.
Annie’s ears immediately perk up.
She files that information away.
He likes cinnamon. Interesting.
Smoke looks back toward the showcase.
And catches her looking at him.
Annie immediately drops hers.
Smoke tries not to smile.
A small grin tugs at his lips.
A few moments later, it’s finally their turn.
She points inside the case.
“I want the cheddar and caramel one.”
The cashier nods. “What size?”
Smoke immediately speaks.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. “I got it.”
Both girls’ eyes get huge.
“I’m paying for both of theirs.”
Annie blinks. “No. You don’t—”
Hard enough that Annie jumps.
The cashier says the total.
Smoke reaches across Annie and hands over the money.
His chest brushes against hers.
Goosebumps immediately rise along her skin.
Annie swallows. Then looks up at him.
Smoke looks right into her eyes.
“You too good to let me buy somethin’ for you?”
His voice is calm. Deep. Intense.
Annie completely forgets how words work. Her eyes drop. To his lips.
Then once again she notices the golds.
Her stomach flips. “No… it’s not that. I just…”
She trails off. Because honestly?
She doesn’t know what to say.
This man has her completely flustered.
So instead she says softly: “Thank you.”
Smoke’s expression softens.
Then he leans forward slightly.
Close enough that she can feel his breath near her ear.
His deep baritone sends a shiver straight down her spine.
He pauses. “Try the cinnamon.”
Annie smiles. A real smile. “Okay.”
She takes the canisters from the cashier. Turns.
And practically floats away with Rhonda.
Watches her curls bounce.
Watches her laugh when Rhonda immediately starts whispering in her ear. Then he slowly shakes his head.
Tobias looks at him. Looks toward Annie. Looks back at him.
He just keeps watching her walk away.
Because for the second time in less than a week…
That girl got him almost smiling at absolutely nothing.
Once Annie and Rhonda are out of Topsy’s, they both squeal.
“Damn!” Rhonda says. “I think he likes you, Annie! Why you ain’t get his number?”
“What if you never see him again?”
“I’m gonna see him again.”
Annie looks at her like it’s obvious.
“’Cause I work with him, girl.”
Rhonda’s mouth drops open.
“You work with that fine ass nigga and ain’t tell me?!”
“He ain’t just some random dude?” She asks
Rhonda grabs Annie’s arm.
“You need to talk to him, Annie.”
“He was staring holes through you! Then he bought our popcorn.”
“I knew it was more to it.”
“No. Annie, you need to lock that down.”
Annie laughs. “I don’t even know how old he is.”
Rhonda’s eyes get big. “You don’t know how old that man is?!”
“I ain’t never asked him. We haven’t really talked.”
Rhonda looks at her suspiciously.
“Why you ain’t tell me about him? And his friend fine as fuck too.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“Nah.” Rhonda points at her. “You gotta get him.”
She grins. “That’ll really piss Ryan off.”
They both busts out laughing.
By the time they reach the bus stop, they’re still giggling.
The sun is beginning to set, painting the sky orange and pink. Cars fly by on the street.
A few other people are waiting for the bus.
Then a classic two door dark blue Buick Regal slows down.
Music is blasting inside.
A group of guys are packed in the car.
The passenger hangs out the window.
“No,” they say in unison.
“C’mon. We ain’t gon’ bite.”
“Nah, we good,” Annie says politely.
The Regal stops completely.
“Damn, where y’all headed?”
“Y’all too pretty to be on the bus.”
Annie’s smile disappears. She folds her arms.
Looks away. She hates this.
Rhonda notices immediately.
The guys keep talking. Keep staring.
Annie shifts uncomfortably.
Her stomach starts knotting.
She hates feeling trapped.
Meanwhile, Smoke and Tobias are leaving the mall parking lot.
Smoke is halfway through a story Tobias is telling when his eyes land on the bus stop.
He sees Annie immediately.
Sees the guys hanging out the windows.
Sees Annie’s body language.
The way she’s folded into herself.
The way she isn’t smiling anymore.
And something ugly twists in his chest. Protectiveness. Irritation.
And something else he doesn’t want to name. Because why the fuck are they over there bothering her?
He doesn’t even know why. He just doesn’t like it.
Not one bit. Without thinking, he cuts the wheel.
Tobias looks over. “What you doin?”
He pulls up directly behind the Regal
Smoke leans over and rolls the window down.
Annie’s too. They look at each other.
Annie hesitates. Rhonda doesn’t.
The guys in the Regal look annoyed.
Smoke doesn’t even look that way
His eyes stay on Annie. Waiting.
Tobias gets out. “Either one of y’all wanna sit in the front?”
They both shake their heads.
He lifts the front seat forward.
She ends up sitting in the middle, almost directly behind Smoke.
Rhonda sits behind Tobias.
The second everyone’s inside, Smoke pulls off. Fast. Pipes so loud that Annie jumps.
The Regal disappears behind them.
Annie doesn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until now. She exhales. Her shoulders finally relax.
The truck smells like cologne, weed and air freshener.
Rap music hums softly from the speakers.
She looks around. The inside is spotless.
“Damn,” Rhonda says aloud.
Smoke glances up. “Preciate it.”
Then he asks, “Where y’all going?”
“Out south.” Rhonda answers. “You can drop us off at Bannister.”
Tobias turns around. “Damn. Y’all goin’ to another mall?”
Rhonda grins. “Yep. We love to shop.”
That makes Smoke chuckle.
Messy Marv’s “Sei Luv” comes on.
The beat rattles the seats.
Smoke starts nodding his head.
Then his eyes drift to the rearview mirror. Annie.
The sunset spills through the window beside her.
Golden light dances across her skin.
Her curls look even softer somehow.
And she’s looking out the window quietly. Beautiful.
Then the words come through the speakers.
🎶 Say love, say love, let me talk to you for a moment… Get to know you, let me show you I’m the one you need… 🎶
His eyes stay in the mirror.
Because that’s exactly what he wants.
To talk to her. Get to know her, but he doesn’t want to scare her.
🎶 Is it alright if I spend some time, get you fly, ’cause I wanna make you mine🎶
Annie looks up. And catches him staring. Again. He doesn’t look away this time. Neither does she. Their eyes hold. Just for a second. Then she smiles softly.
And looks back out the window.
🎶 Baby come and take this ride, my s5 get you fly. Show me all the things you like, i'll do them for you🎶
Tobias notices them. Of course he notices.
He doesn’t say shit. Just smirks to himself.
A few minutes later, he pulls a blunt from his pocket and sparks it.
He turns around. “Y’all wanna hit this?”
Annie shakes her head immediately.
Before Tobias can hand it back—Smack.
Smoke hits his arm. “Put that shit out.”
Tobias looks confused. “Why?”
Smoke just gives him a look. One of those looks.
Tobias glances from Smoke…to Annie… then back.
And suddenly understands.
Smoke cuts his eyes. Tobias starts grinning.
The whole ride, Smoke keeps stealing glances through the rearview.
And every now and then…Annie catches him.
Every time she does, she smiles.
Smoke has to fight one of his own.
When they finally pull up to Bannister, everyone gets out.
Smoke and Tobias climb out first.
Smoke lifts the front seat. Annie moves to climb out. Without thinking, he reaches his hand out.
She looks at it. Then at him.
Then places her hand in his.
The second their hands touch..There it is again. That spark. That weird pull.
Annie feels it. Smoke feels it too.
But he doesn’t let go right away.
Neither of them says anything.
Rhonda and Tobias exchange another look.
Because this shit is ridiculous.
They haven’t even had a real conversation.
Yet they keep looking at each other like that.
Finally, Smoke lets her hand go.
Tobias looks at Rhonda. “Lemme get yo number.”
Annie sees and starts giggling.
Rhonda giggles right back.
Annie adjusts her purse strap and gets ready to walk off.
Then—Smoke says “You dropped somethin’.”
She turns. Looks at the ground.
Smoke is holding a hundred dollar bill.
Her brows knit together. “I didn’t drop that.”
Smoke just stares at her. “You did.”
She blinks, looks at the money.
Then at him. Then back at the money.
She shakes her head again
She can’t help but smile.
But eventually…She reaches out and puts her hand in his to take it.
Only—Smoke doesn’t let go.
And looks directly into her eyes.
So big he feels like he could get lost in them.
Neither of them moves. Neither of them speaks.
The world feels strangely quiet.
Then Smoke realizes he’s been holding her hand too long. Way too long. He lets go. Clears his throat.
He climbs into his truck.
Looks at her one more time.
Annie smiles. Returns it.
Rhonda comes over and grabs her arm.
The two girls walk toward the mall entrance.
Smoke watches them the entire way.
Watches Annie’s curls bounce.
Watches her glance back once.
Only then…Does he pull off….
