July 7th — 6:17 A.M.
Apartment Hallway, Bronx, NY
“Watch it, shorty,” Amar said, his deep voice echoing off the concrete hallway walls as Selah bumped into him for what felt like the hundredth time.
Selah looked up, startled. “Damn. Sorry. I wasn’t trying to race you to the door this time, I swear.”
Amar leaned back slightly, arms folded over his chest. He had on a black hoodie with the sleeves rolled up just enough to show the tattoos lining his forearms. “Sure you wasn’t. You move like you got a hit out on you.”
She chuckled awkwardly and adjusted her purse strap. “Nah… just avoiding conflict. My boyfriend wild. You know how that go.”
“I know he lame, that’s what I know,” Amar said under his breath, not even bothering to hide his disdain.
Selah raised an eyebrow. “I heard that.”
“Good,” he replied smoothly, flashing her a cocky grin that showed two gold bottom teeth.
Selah fought the blush crawling up her cheeks. Amar always said just enough to get under her skin, but not enough to be disrespectful. He had this slow, deliberate way of speaking, like every word was measured but full of smoke and fire. He wasn't out here trying to win her—he just existed confidently in her orbit, and somehow, that drew her in more.
“I gotta go,” she said, stepping past him. “Don’t need Dante popping out the shadows.”
Amar smirked. “You need to get rid of that weak-ass ninja turtle.”
Selah burst out laughing despite herself. “You are a damn fool.”
“Nah, real talk,” Amar said, tone softening. “You too fine and too real to be stuck with somebody that drain you.”
She didn’t respond. Didn’t know how to.
Instead, she turned away and hurried down the steps, ignoring the flutter in her chest.
---
7:02 A.M. – Call Center Floor
Giyani leaned on Selah’s cubicle wall, blowing a pink bubble and chewing loudly. “Girl.”
Selah was barely logged in. She sipped her iced coffee, bracing herself. “What now, Gigi?”
“You really might end up in a damn love triangle. And honestly? I’m here for it.”
Selah groaned and buried her face in her hands. “Giyani, no. Please don’t speak that into existence.”
“Too late. The triangle is forming,” Giyani said like she was narrating a telenovela. “It’s giving Scandal. It’s giving ‘your man and your future husband got beef and you the prize.’”
Selah looked up. “First of all, don’t gas this. Amar just lives across the hall. That’s it.”
“That’s not it,” Giyani said, leaning in. “You don’t see how he look at you? Like you the only sane thing in his whole hood-life.”
“I told him I had a boyfriend.”
“Girl, you could’ve told him you married with ten kids, he still wouldn’t fall back. That man don’t care. He want you.”
Selah bit the inside of her cheek. “Well, I love Dante.”
Giyani tilted her head. “But do you still like him though?”
That question landed heavy. Selah didn't answer right away.
“You forgave him how many times?” Giyani continued. “STDs, lies, creepin’, Giselle in yo bed… but lemme guess—he made you some eggs this morning and now it’s all good?”
YOU ARE READING
If I Was Your Man
FanfictionWill Selah finally embrace the man who's always been willing to fight for her? Or will her past convince her that she doesn't deserve happiness at all?
