BURNIN' FLAME

New Friend

I was caught a lil off guard because I didn't know what her aim was. I stared at her for a long moment and I had a gut feeling that she needed somebody. You could see something like fear and definitely pain in her eyes.

I reached in my cardholder and gave her my card with all my contact info. She smiled and thanked me. She walked out and I stared at the door wondering what her story was. I leaned back in my chair thinking about everything that happened in the last couple of weeks. I noticed that Tangi had been MIA, but I was gon' get to her apple jack ass real soon. Kevon had been calling and texting, but like always I ignored him. He just didn't get it. One thing I noticed is that Tasha had been kind of salty with me and if its because of August oh well.

At this point if he willing to have her shit she can have him. I stood and stretched just as my phone went off. It was a text from Braylon. I smiled brightly because so far he was cool and not to mention a very nice looking piece of eye candy.

Braylon: Hey Beautiful. Hope your day is going well and I can't wait to see you tonight. received 4:30 pm

Reesha: You are too kind Handsome. My day is going great and I'm looking forward to tonight. sent 4:32 pm

I smiled hard as hell and decided I wanted to go ahead and leave. I wanted to be ready for tonight. I was actually nervous because I hadn't been on a date since Kevon. I made sure everything was shutdown and I had filed all my paperwork. I grabbed my things and headed out. I hope tonight is a good night.

*******

I had just got dressed and I checked myself in the mirror. I was gonna meet him at the restaurant and I was a nervous wreck. I headed downstairs and grabbed my keys off the table by the door. I headed out and hopped in my Range. I got in and backed out. The radio was playing and No Love came on. Of all the damn songs this one had to be playing. I sighed and continued to drive down the highway. I was like five minutes away from the restaurant and I felt my stomach turn into knots.

I finally pulled into the Cheesecake Factory and let valet park my car. I walked inside and was just about to tell the hostess who I was looking for when I felt a hand on the small of my back. I turned and I was caught off guard by that damn smile. Braylon was goregous.

"You look beautiful." He grabbed my hand leading us to our table.

"Thank you. You look nice yourself." I sat down and he sat down after me.

"Thanks. So tell me Miss Reesha, why is that somebody hasn't cuffed you yet. I mean you are the perfect catch. You are intelligent, successful and you have a good head on your shoulders plus you are very beautiful." He smiled that million dollar smile.

"Well at the moment its by choice because I'm not willing to settle. I know what I want and don't want. I need more than just sex. I want somebody that can not only be my man, but be my friend."

"I feel you. Good men as well as good women are hard to come by, but just from the few conversations we had, I can tell that you are a good woman."

"Hmm I see you are very observant. I like that."

He chuckled and the waitress came up and took our drink orders. We continued to talk about in and everything. Braylon was really a nice guy and he was definitely gon' be a good ass friend.

Omniscient

La'Reesha was so engrossed in conversation with Braylon that she didn't realize she was being watched. August sat with his business partner and watched as Reesha and Braylon laughed and talked. He couldn't focus on the conversation him and Darron was having because his eyes were glued to Reesha's every movement. He was so curious and pissed because she was actually out with another nigga. He couldn't believe it. He sipped from his Ciroc and continued to watch.

He knew that she hadn't seen him yet, but he couldn't wait until she did see him. He wanted to know how she was gon' react when she realized he was there. It was taking everything in him not go over to her table and ask who that nigga was, but he knew that they were already on bad terms so he just had to endure watching her look like she was happy.

She laughed and tilted her head back and that's when she saw August. Their eyes met for a long moment and Reesha broke the connection, rolling her eyes. August knew then that she was still hurt and upset with him. She had every right to be because August had't bothered to call for a week. He finally tuned back into Darron because he was gon' be paying Miss Mercer a visit tonight.

August

I couldn't believe that she was out wit another nigga. I know we ain't together, but its fucked in a sense especially considering she told me she loved me. I tralied my finger around the rim of my cup and clenched my jaw in anger.

"Yo man what the hell got yo attention across the room? You been zoning out on me for a lil minute."

"Nothin' bruh just thinkin' bout some things. I got something I gotta handle later or maybe sooner than later." I said as I watched her and that nigga leave.

"Ah hell its gotta be a female."

I didn't say anything I rose and dropped a few bills on the table. "Aye D get at me later this week and we can finalize things."

"Okay cool." He dapped me and I headed out.

******

I stood out on her stoop and rung the bell. I adjusted my hat on my head as I waited for her to come to the door. A few seconds later the door opened and she rolled her eyes.

"Yung what th-"

I cut her off by pushing her inside the house. I backed her against the wall and braced my hands on either side of head as I stared down at her beautiful face.

"Reesha tell me." I paused and narrowed my eyes at her as I clenched and unclenched my jaw.

"Tell me who tha' fuck was that nigga?..."