Conflicted Heart (Completed)

Twelve

Yani

That kiss. That kiss I had with Zane was...everything. I know I was bold as hell for doing it, but I just felt a desire too. I don't regret it either. It's all I have been thinking about these past few weeks or so. I want to kiss him again, but I have seen him and Nia maybe three times since the kiss. Something is going on with him and I am not sure what it is. Every time I try to spend time with him and Nia he always comes up with an excuse. He's starting to make me feel like he doesn't want to even be bothered with me anymore and I don't even know what I did. It's Friday now just a little past noon and I am sitting in the shop eating my lunch. As I am doing so, Kiara walks in and she smiles and waves and I do the same.

"Hey boo," Kiara said.

"Hey Kiara," I said. I stand up and she walks over to me and we hug each other tight. Kiara sets her lunch down and we both sit down.

"Busy day so far?," Kiara asked.

"Yeah already did three clients," I said.

"That's great. Your shop is definitely becoming a hot spot. All the ballers want to come here to get tattooed by the gorgeous Yani," Kiara said while winking. I roll my eyes playfully and I laugh.

"Yeah they all come in here trying to flirt," I said.

"I am sure they do. I am sure you turn them down since you have a man now," Kiara teased.

"I don't have a man and you know that," I said softly.

"How is everything with you and Zane? Done more than kiss? You let him beat it out the frame?" I roll my eyes and Kiara laughs out loud.

"I'm only kidding.....but how are you two?," Kiara asked.

"I wish I knew....he has been distancing himself from me. I haven't seen him much these past few weeks.....I miss him and I miss Nia," I confessed.

"Really? What happened?"

"I don't even know.....that night we kissed though he seemed different, he was even distant then. I don't know what I did."

"Yani you're an absolute sweetheart I am sure you didn't do anything. Just talk to him about it."

"I've tried but he rarely answers my calls or texts anymore. Maybe he just isn't interested," I said while sighing and shrugging my shoulders.

"Please, you're gorgeous, sweet, smart why wouldn't he be interested? Maybe he's just the type that has been hurt and doesn't get close to people easily. Don't give up." I smile a bit and I nod my head. Maybe Kiara is right. I don't want to give up because I like Zane. I really do. I love his daughter. She's such a sweetheart. I can't chase Zane forever, but I won't give up so easily. Kiara and I talk while we eat our lunch and then I do three more clients. I'm so ready to just chill this weekend. Around 4 p.m. I hear my phone vibrating on my counter. I look and I see a text message from Zane. Wow I can't believe I am actually hearing from him. I slide open my phone and I read the following: Hey Yani. Sorry I haven't been texting or calling, just been busy. Nia is a bit under the weather and she wants to see you. Would you mind coming over? I want to see you too. I can't even contain the smile the spreads across my lips. I tell him I will come over. I clean up the shop, close my register and then I leave. I lock up, get in my car and I drive off. I drive to a café and I get chicken noodle soup and tea for Nia. I don't like that my boo is sick. I then drive to Zane's apartment. Once I am parked, I get out of the car with the soup and tea and I go up to Zane's apartment. I knock on the door and within a minute, Zane answers the door with basketball shorts and a t-shirt on. I don't care what this man has on, he is always so damn fine!! 

"Hey," I said.

"Hey....come in," Zane said. I walk in and Zane closes and locks the door behind me.

"I brought Nia soup and tea," I said.

"Thanks....she's in her bedroom," Zane said. I nod my head and I move closer to Zane and I kiss her cheek. He smiles softly and hugs me. I walk upstairs to Nia's bedroom and I see her lying down in bed. She looks so miserable. I can tell she is stuffed up.

"Aww my boo boo's sick?," I said sweetly. Her little eyes light up when she sees me.

"Hi Yani. I'm so happy you're here," Nia said. I can hear how stuffed up she is.

"I'm happy to be here but I'm sorry you're sick baby girl. I brought you some chicken noodle soup does that sound ok?," I asked. Nia nods her head while smiling a bit. I sit next to her and I set down the tea and I take the soup from the bag. I open the container and I take out the spoon and I feed the soup to her. I don't mind babying her right now since she's sick. Zane then comes into the room with a dehumidifier. He plugs it up and then sits on the other side Nia and rubs her forehead.

"How you doin' princess?," Zane asked.

"I'm ok. Yani thanks for the soup and tea it's helping already," Nia said sweetly.

"No problem sweetheart," I said. I look at Zane and he looks at me. He then looks away quickly and I sigh. Zane rubs Nia's hand gently while she finishes her soup and tea.

"I know it's early baby girl but I want you to get some sleep. You need extra rest when you are sick ok?," Zane said.

"Ok daddy," Nia said.

"Do you need anything else pretty girl?," I asked.

"No I'm ok thank you." I hug Nia and then Zane does the same. I start to hum and Zane just looks at me. Nia smiles as she closes her eyes. She is knocked out within ten minutes. I kiss her forehead and then Zane does the same. I take the empty soup container and cup of tea and I stand up from the bed and I leave the room as Zane follows behind me. I walk downstairs to the kitchen and I throw away the cup and container in the garbage and then I look at Zane.

"Thanks for coming. She's been asking about you," Zane said.

"It's no problem.....how have you been? I haven't seen you in a while," I said.

"I know. Sorry......just been busy you know? I've been good though."

"Is that the truth or were you avoiding me on purpose?"

"Why would I do that?"

"You know why.....because I kissed you." Zane shrugs his shoulders and rests against the kitchen counter.

"Zane please just talk to me. If I'm wasting my time then please just tell me. I don't want to look like a fool," I said.

"So I'm a waste of time huh?," Zane said. I twist up my face in confusion.

"Did I say that? No. Don't put words in my mouth Zane......I feel like you have been pushing me away and if I did something then please tell me. If you don't want anything to do with me then tell me that," I said. Zane sighs and shakes his head.

"It's not you alright? It's....it's nothing ok?," Zane said. I sigh and I stand in front of Zane. I gently rub his right arm as he looks down at me.

"Zane I am not trying to force you into anything you don't want to be a part of. I just know that I like you and I want to get to know you," I said while looking up at Zane.

"Yani.....you don't want a nigga like me," Zane said.

"Why is that? Huh?," I said while closing the space between Zane and me. He tenses up as I rest my body into his.

"You just don't," Zane said.

"I think you're wrong.....I like you and that isn't going to change. How do you feel about me Zane?," I said.

".....I like you too I do but..," I place my right index finger over his lips to stop him from saying anything else.

"But nothing Zane. You don't need to say anything else," I said softly. I look in Zane's eyes as I remove my finger from his lips. I stand on my toes and I lean in and I kiss Zane's lips softly. I look at him and I feel his right hand rest on my waist. I bite my bottom lip and I lean in and I kiss Zane again. Zane's right hand ends up on the right side of my face. He holds my face gently as we share a passionate kiss. Damn I feel this kiss right between my legs. I wrap my arms around Zane's neck and I slide my tongue in Zane's mouth. I moan lowly as I Zane's tongue finds its way inside of my mouth. I swear I could just let this man lay me down and do whatever he wants to me. After a passionate kiss, Zane pulls away and sighs as he rests his forehead against mine.

"I don't know what the hell we're doing Yani," Zane said honestly.

"That's ok. Just let it happen Zane, whatever it is," I said. Zane shakes his head and removes my arms from him and backs me away from him.

"I...I don't know if I can do that," Zane said.

"So tell me this. When I just kissed you did you feel anything?," I said.

"....Yes and that's what scares me. You.....you don't know everything about me and once you learn you are going to run out of my life just like everyone else."

"I'm not like everyone else Zane. I can promise you that." Zane just stares at me as I stare back.

".....You don't give up do you?," Zane said while raising his left eyebrow.

"Not at all. Especially when I want something," I said while smirking. Zane narrows his eyes at me. Damn! He looks sexy as hell right now. Hell he always looks sexy who am I kidding. I wrap my arms around Zane and I hug him and he hugs me back. Zane is a tough one to crack, but I'm slowly and I mean slowly making progress.