Chasing the Artist (Book Two)

EIGHTEEN

Kyla

"Hello stranger."

"Hi. How may I help you?"

"It's mostly me doing the helping. You dropped your pencil and I'm just returning it."

"But I didn't bring an extra pencil?"

"Okay you got me. I was just trying to be charming but I guess I failed."

I stared at the gorgeous male that was crouched down on my right.

"How about you just be yourself?" I suggest.

"I can do that." He smiled beautifully. "Jordan Morris and you are?"

"Kyla Adams." I respond cautiously.

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl."

My cheeks warmed at his words.

"Why so interested in an average black girl at a coffee shop?" I gestured.

"Because." He started. "Instead of being on your laptop, or your phone you are drawing. A portrait of me no less!"

My face once again warms up. I look down and sure enough his face is drawn on my small sketch pad.

"I'm sorry!" I squeaked. "I didn't even realize- I just impulsively draw what I find interesting."

"So what I'm hearing..." He drawls. "Is that you're interested?"

My mouth hung open. I completely set myself up for that.

"You're smooth." I smiled.

He smiled back.

"Only for girls that I'm interested in."

Jordan's head was in his hands.

"I didn't even realize I was pressuring you. When we weren't talking as much, I started to think why that was. And then I realized. We really haven't been happy for a long time."

I sat back and listened to him.

I didn't know what to say.

"And I'm just trying to make everything better. I don't know what's been going on with me. I've been catching attitudes with everyone. And you were one of the last person close to me that deserved that treatment."

"It's okay Jordan." I finally spoke.

The words "I want to break up" were on the tip of my tongue. But his next words halted me from saying so.

"I guess a little bit came from the thought of losing you."

He looked up at me with so much love, it suffocated me.

"Jordan..." I say softly.

"I-"

I can't do it.

"I want you to make love to me."

His perfect brows rose in confusion.

"You don't think it's a little too soon for that?"

"You don't want to?" I asked hopefully.

"It's not that." He quickly corrected. "It's all about what you want."

What I wanted was to feel less guilty and make Jordan happy.

"It's what I want." I try to say as confidently as I could.