Diamonds in the Rough: VOL. I

six

Kianna was thankful for having darker colored skin. With the way the conversation flowed between her and Andre, she had blushed more than she ever had in her life. She had learned a lot about him just by having a quick lunch with him. She felt as if she was floating on a cloud by the time they were tucked back into his truck.

That didn't stop her from thinking that she wasn't going to allow him to take her all the way home. She had never shared her address with anyone. Her home was her safe space. Andre seemed cool, intelligent. He exuded strength and she liked that about him. But it didn't change the fact that he was her boss or the purpose of their lunch.

"If you don't mind, I need to stop at the grocery store." She spoke into the silence. Andre looked over to her.

"Naw I don't mind at all. You getting a lot of stuff? I can wait for you and ride you home."
"I'm not getting a lot of stuff. But I'm also not comfortable with you taking me home."

"You know you work for me." He reminded her and she frowned. He laughed as he shook his head. "A nigga not saying he going go checking for your address or nothing like that. But it is something I already got access too. You don't gotta be ashamed, or nothing like that."

"I see you don't learn from your mistakes too quickly." She scoffed. "Although you have my address from my application. It wasn't offered in this moment. I would rather you not take me home."

Andre looked her over and it took everything in her to not change her mind. He nodded his head after a few seconds and then went back to looking at his phone. "Alright. I'll drop you off."

"Thank you." Kianna settled into the seat again. A tension circled around them taking away the easy feeling that was once between them. She chewed on her bottom lip to keep herself from speaking. Andre didn't say anything, and it bothered her. She didn't want him to pick a fight. Or act as if his life depended on her giving him the address.

She had to regroup but that was hard to do with his cologne surrounding her. She closed her eyes. "You good?" He spoke and she quickly opened them.

"I'm fine."

"You know any time Monica tell me that, she's everything but fine." He chuckled. "Don't be over there second guessing your self. If you said I can't have your address that's just what it is. That's nothing to beat yourself up about. Shit if anything I appreciate you for humbling a nigga."

Kianna smiled. "I'm overdramatic."

"You're vulnerable. There ain't nothing wrong with that." He smiled. "But I get it. You just got home and you trying to adjust."

"It's one hell of an adjustment," she sighed. "Thanks for being so patient with me."

"My mom would have went in my shit for acting like I was privileged to something I'm not." He shrugged. They comfort between them returned as Andre pulled into the parking lot of a store. Kianna probably should have told him one that was closer to her home. But she was just thankful that he was being a gentleman with her.

"Ima grab something from out of here then you can tell me which store you want to go to."

Kianna laughed and he stared at her. "I was just thinking this store isn't anywhere near my house." She explained and he shook his head.

"Well it's a good thing we both understand I'm not going leave you stranded. Give me five minutes." He grabbed his wallet out of the glove compartment. Kianna moved her legs to the side so she wasn't in his way. When she noticed the gun inside she didn't even speak on it.

It wasn't illegal for someone to have a firearm. She just hoped that it was a registered one. Kianna grabbed her phone from her coat pocket while Dre got out of the car. She watched him as he disappeared into the store. Then went back to checking her phone.