She's always been off-limits to everyone on the block-until a fearless new guy moves in and changes the rules.
ps. This my first book, don't be shy to comment and give suggestions!
The sun beat down heavy, making the Houston streets shimmer like they were dipped in gold. Alazhá leaned against the picnic table at the park, her arms crossed as she squinted at Romani. His fresh white tee clung to him just enough to show he wasn't skipping chest day, and his chain caught the sunlight, making it hard not to stare.
"You gon' stand there looking like that all day?" she asked, her voice laced with that teasing edge he'd grown to like way too much.
Romani grinned and shook his head. "Nah, I'm just tryna figure you out, that's all."
"Figure me out? Boy, please." She snorted. "You ain't that deep."
He chuckled and slid onto the bench across from her, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "You'd be surprised, Zhá. I think about stuff. Like...last night."
Her eyebrow arched. "Last night? What about it?"
"I'm sayin', I had a good time," he said, his tone softer than she expected. "A real good time."
Alazhá paused, a flicker of surprise in her eyes before she caught herself. "Yeah, well, it wasn't terrible," she muttered, trying to act unfazed.
"'Wasn't terrible?'" He laughed, shaking his head. "Girl, you know you had fun. I saw you smiling. You don't smile like that unless you feelin' it."
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Romani. You think you know me now?"
"Nah," he admitted, leaning back with that same lazy grin. "But I'm tryna learn. You might be worth it."
His words hung in the air, and for once, she didn't have a comeback ready. He had that look in his eye again—the one that made her feel like the only person in a crowd of thousands.
"You smooth, huh?" she finally said, breaking the silence.
"I mean, I try." He shrugged, glancing at her lips before meeting her gaze again. "But I'm serious, though. I ain't just out here sayin' stuff to say it."
"Yeah, yeah," she said, but her voice wasn't as sharp as usual. "I'll believe it when I see it."
He stood up then, walking around the table to stand in front of her. "Alright, then. How 'bout you let me prove it?"
Her pulse quickened as he stepped closer, close enough for her to catch the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the summer heat.
"Romani..." she started, but the way he was looking at her made her voice catch.
"Zhá," he murmured, leaning in just a little. "You keep actin' like this ain't somethin', but you know it is. You feel it, just like I do."
The world seemed to slow down—the sound of kids playing on the playground in the background faded, the buzz of cicadas dimmed. It was just him and her, standing too close and not close enough at the same time.
Just as his hand brushed hers, a loud voice interrupted. "Yo! Zhá!"
She jumped back, turning to see her homegirl Mariah marching toward them, her nails glinting in the sunlight and her face full of attitude.
"Girl, what you doin' out here? I been blowin' up your phone!" Mariah yelled, completely oblivious to the tension she'd just shattered.
Alazhá took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Mariah, what is it? You see me talkin'."
Mariah side-eyed Romani before smirking. "Oh, I see you alright. My bad for interruptin' y'all little Hallmark moment."
Romani sighed and shook his head, his smirk returning. "Y'all got terrible timing, man."
Mariah shrugged. "Blame your girl. She don't answer texts."
Alazhá gave Mariah a death stare, then glanced back at Romani. "Guess we'll finish this later."
"Bet," he said, his voice low enough to make her stomach flip. "Don't leave me hangin', Zhá."
She turned away, trying not to smile as Mariah grabbed her arm and pulled her off toward the parking lot.
Behind her, Romani stood watching, his hands in his pockets and that same knowing grin on his face.
Mariah:
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