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“Seven-thirty.”

“I said no.”

“Eight?”

“Keith.”

“Dinner.”

“I don’t wanna go to dinner with you.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t.”

He leaned one hand against the empty chair beside me.

“One date.”

“No.”

“One.”

I looked at him.

He looked right back.

Ebony was across from me trying so hard not to smile that I wanted to throw my fork at her.

“Why the fuck you looking like that?” I asked her.

“I’m eating.”

“Eat harder.”

Keith laughed.

“Come out with me.”

I sighed.

“Yeah, we can go out, nigga. Damn.”

His smile came immediately.

“I’ma come scoop you Saturday.”

I sucked my teeth.

“Nigga, how you know I ain’t had plans?”

“Cancel ‘em if you did.”

I stared at him.

Cocky motherfucker.

“You still live in the same spot?”