A Touch of Fate (BWWM)

17 | Unfinished Business

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Garrett

Garrett waited almost twenty minutes after dinner to have Imani alone. She barely made eye contact with him, and the night would have been awful if Bethany, Ramón, and the Cunninghams hadn't found things to talk about. The atmosphere in the room was stiff, and Fiona seemed to notice. The little girl had been fussy for ten minutes and was no longer content.

He watched Bethany carry the infant into her bedroom while Isaiah and the other guys went out to smoke on the deck. Garrett went to talk to Imani in the kitchen as soon as the men stepped out.

She casually washed a few plates in the sink, seemingly unaware of his presence. He was perfectly okay with it. Garrett savored her body as if it were a fine wine. Imani's glossy blouse hugged her curves and glided across her shoulders as she turned each dish. Long, silky curls covered her slender neck. He loved the way his fingers felt through her hair. Her hair took several minutes to untangle after they went swimming together.

Imani suddenly looked up, and their eyes met. She didn't look away, so he felt confident walking forward. He moved toward her, keeping a few inches between them because he expected her to leave the kitchen if he got too close.

"Need help?" he asked, hoping she would accept his assistance.

Stacking dishes on the drying rack, Imani replied, "I've got it. Thank you for the offer, though." She grabbed a towel and began drying her hands. "Is Bethany getting Fiona settled down?"

He nodded. "The guys went outside for a smoke break."

She looked at him, her expression unreadable. "Figures. I've tried to persuade my brother to stop smoking cigarettes and marijuana, but he won't listen."

Garrett chuckled softly. "You do realize you just admitted that to an FBI agent?"

"No shit, Sherlock." Imani groaned loudly and rolled her eyes. Her cheeks darkened, and her chin stuck out a little. "Are you planning to arrest him?"

"No. If I don't see anything, I will have nothing to report."

"Right. So, why are you in here?"

He breathed deeply and answered, "I wanted to speak with you."

Imani dropped the towel and rested her palms on the counter. "Then speak." Her words were choppy, and it was obvious she was upset about something.

"Why are you so worked up?"

"Have you not figured it out, Garrett?" she demanded, staring at him.

"No. Maybe you can enlighten me."

"It's you. You have really gotten under my skin," Imani retorted. Her sincerity straightened him.

"Me? What did I do? We barely speak to each other as it is."

She gave him a sharp, intense look that made him feel like he was running out of time. Imani opened her mouth to speak before closing it. She then stood on tiptoes to place two wine glasses on the cabinet's top shelf, next to the refrigerator. He unintentionally glanced at her butt, which he desperately wanted to hold.