A Touch of Fate (BWWM)

21 | A New Chapter

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Garrett

"Mani, the food was delicious. You're an amazing cook."

Brian and Ellie drove off with their energetic twins, while Dylan fell asleep ten minutes ago. He had played basketball for most of the day, and the cool Alabama air had worn him out.

"Tonight went great," Garrett continued, taking a step toward the entrance where his boots and coat were. "I enjoyed hanging out with everyone. It was just like old times."

Imani kept her eyes on him and said, "I agree. They've been together since high school, and their babies are the splitting image of them."

Garrett chuckled. He and Imani's friendship was going well, so he didn't want to linger too long after they kissed. The thought of being close to her made his heart race, but he didn't know how she felt about him being in her house.

"You... you don't have to go," she said, giving him a faint smile.

He wasn't sure if she felt any unease about their kiss, so he wanted to go home before things progressed further between them.

"Why don't we talk tomorrow, Imani? It's getting late."

"Damn, Garrett. Are you sure you're twenty-six and not seventy?"

A tiny laugh escaped his lips. "I'm just trying to be respectful." His smile grew. "I don't want to overdo anything. Especially now that we're on good terms."

Her smile widened. "Believe me. If I thought you were annoying, you would know."

"I don't doubt that for a second."

"Good, because I want us to hang out."

Garrett slowly licked his lips and furrowed his brows. "You sure?"

Imani nodded. He loved that she was full of wonders.

She put her folded hand towel away. "Want to watch a movie?"

Garrett had spent the entire evening trying to figure out where their relationship was going after tonight. He knew no matter what they did, they would always end up on a road called Complicated. However, this fresh start to what they were creating felt exciting.

"That's what you want to do?" he asked. "We haven't done that in... Well, it has been nearly nine years." He smiled a little as he thought about the time they watched a Mission Impossible movie together.

"Yeah. I just thought..." Imani paused as they stared at each other. "Perhaps a movie night will begin a new chapter for us." She cleared her throat and fidgeted with her fingers. "Let's have fun and do something we haven't done in years, Gray."

His insides turned to mush when she addressed him by his nickname. He held back the impulse to reach out and show her how meaningless the movie was. Her company alone made him feel like he was on cloud nine.

"That sounds like fun." He wanted to retract the words as soon as he said them. How was he going to navigate the entire evening as her friend and refrain from kissing her? But, since he had already given in to temptation, he would have to deal with it like a man.

Her eyes widened. "See? I knew it wouldn't take much to convince you to stay."

You have me by the balls, Mani, and you know it.

Garrett smiled as he followed her to her office. She had converted the room into a temporary entertainment area while the front renovations were underway. The main problem was the limited amount of space available. Just enough space for the television, a coffee table, and a small sofa.