Chapter 5

A woman knows by intuition, or instinct, what is best for herself. -Marilyn Monroe

Why can't you love me like others do? They stare at me while I stare at you. -Unknown

I can't make you love me, want me, or understand me...All I can do Is hope that someday you will. -Unknown

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_|Armani

"Mommy, we're going to the park!" Kai says this as her and Naomi run into the room with Ebony following.

"Oh for real?"

"Yea, since it is your birthday, I am giving you a day to yourself. Go, have fun! I got the children!" I go give her a hug.

"Are you sure? Because, really. I don't mind taking Kai shopping."

"No! Please go enjoy yourself. I have them, girl." I roll my eyes and walk into the bathroom. Well this changes everything. Maybe now I can do some shopping for myself, then I can take Kai another day.

There is a knock on the door and Ebony goes to get it so I keep messing with my bun in the mirror.

"Hey, is she ready?" I hear Xavier's voice from the door.

"Um, give her a few minutes." Eb replies this and after two more attempts I just say fuck it and let my hair hang down. It looks soo...I'm not going to even bag on myself right now. It is just shopping with Xavier anyways.

"Alright I'm ready." I grab my phone and my purse and follow him out into the hall.

"Have fun you two!" Ebony says this before closing the door.

It is silent between us as we walk to the elevator. "Are you still 'mad' or whatever?" He finally breaks the silence once we reach the elevator.

"No, I guess not."

"Well why did you walk out of there like I was the devil in a T-shirt?" I bust out laughing, but I cover my mouth with my hand to muzzle it.

"You're stupid, but I was not frowning because of you entirely. It was because my hair is not acting right." He rolls his eyes and gives my hair a quick glance.

"Wait, where is Kai?" He looks down the hallway, then at me.

"Ebony is taking her for the day. Because it is my birthday."

"Aaawww, that's nice. So, I don't understand though." I frown at him as we step onto the elevator.

"Don't understand what?"

"What's wrong with your hair? It looks fine to me." I roll my eyes. A typical man.

"If you say so." We make it downstairs and take one of the cars. "You can drive." I toss him the keys I picked up.

"I was going to anyways." I glare at his laugh as we sit down in the car. He is already getting on my nerves and the day hasn't even started yet. "Okay, since you are my date for the day--"

"Whoa, whoa. Slow your roll, Casanova. What makes you think this is a date?"

"Hm, I don't know. I just assumed you would like it better if I called it that." Am I really going to have to deal with him ALL day? That's strike one.

"Well, it's not a date. Sorry to burst your bubble, bro!" He just laughs. He is laughing for about five minutes before I start to get annoyed. "Ugh, what the hell is so funny?"

"You. You're not from Cali, are you?"

"No, Atlanta. Why?"

"Mhm, you sound like it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I look over at him and he is still grinning.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." I roll my eyes as he backs the car out of the parking spot. We ride around in silence for a little while, but then I break it.

"How long have you known my brother?"

"Since our freshmen year in college."

"Oh, so you're his age?"

"Yea. Why?"

"I was just wondering. Obviously my brother trusts you enough to send me off with you for a day, and you are his best man yet I know nothing about you."

"Are you sure there isn't another reason why you asked?" I look at him like he is crazy.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, we are two attractive adults. Here on vacation away from work and everything. Are you sure that information is not for yourself?" He shrugs off what he just said like it was nothing and I just gawk at him.

"Excuse me?"

"I won't deny that I think you are very attractive. Plus, I know we both have needs." I am at a lost for words. I know he is not implying what I think he is implying. The way he stood up for me at the bar had me thinking he was one of the good guys, but seems to me he is the same as the rest. I see what Ebony was talking about. I instantly start laughing.

"Are you serious right now? You are dead serious, aren't you?"

"Yea, are you not an adult with needs?"

"You know what, you're right. I am an adult with needs. I am just a poor little woman with no man to sweep me up in his arms and make love to whenever I want like every single mother wants. I am SO glad you are here to save me from this drought I have been experiencing for the past six years. My hero!" I add a dramatic flare into my speech and an apologetic look quickly crosses his face.

"Armani, I didn't mean--"

"I know what you meant." I cut him off and look out the window. This is exactly why I try to refrain from dating now. Men are so inconsiderate, but I will give him credit for being upfront about what he wanted instead of dragging me through a whole "he wants a relationship" charade. The rest of the ride is in silence.

I turn on the radio to kill the silence and continue looking out the window. I can't even look at him right now. That really killed the entire vibe I had with him. This is my brother's best friend so I was thinking we could at least get to know each other a little since we are both important to Jo, but after this car ride he will be lucky if I even look in his direction again.

Four songs in and I hear the volume being turned down. I don't even look over to see why he does it. I just want this day to be over. He has completely ruined my birthday mood and everything.

"Honestly, I have no idea where we are." I look out the window and I see the city and all, but none of it looks familiar. You have got to be kidding me.

"Are you serious, Xay?" I look out the window.

"Wait, what did you call me?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You said, are you serious who?"

"Xay...like a nickname...what, you never had a nickname before?" He laughs again. "Why are you laughing?"

"Because Armani, you are funny. No one has ever called me Xay before, I like it." He smirks.

"I didn't ask. So do you know where we are going or not?"

"No. I don't see anything familiar. How about we stop at this beach while I get my bearings?" He points to a beach not to far from where we are.

"That's fine. Whatever you need to do." He pulls into the parking lot of the beach. We sit in silence in the car for a minute, but his presence annoys me so I get out and go lean against the front of the car. A few minutes later, I hear the door open and he comes and joins me. I roll my eyes and look off in the opposite direction. I would like just twenty minutes to myself.

"Armani I--"

"I should report you for kidnapping." I cut him off again and glare at him.

"But I am lost too, how is that kidnapping?" I shrug my shoulders and look off at the shore again. "Armani, I want to apologize."

"No need. I have heard enough from you today. Aren't you supposed to be finding out where we are?" I hear him sigh.

"There's a mall about 15 minutes from here, if you still want to go." I don't want to go. I want him to take me back to the hotel actually. I can spend the rest of my birthday resting around the hotel. I look over to tell him to take me back to the hotel but he speaks before me. "Look I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't think you'd get so offended. I really did not mean it that way."

"What were you thinking?"

"Well, I thought back at the hotel that we were getting along pretty good for the past few days."

"Yea, and now you've ruined it. I can't believe you were looking at me like some sex object." I roll my eyes and look away from him again.

"Not an object. I just figured we could make this vacation fun for the both of us. Harmless sex, with no attachments. I wasn't trying to say you needed saving, or was weak willed, or anything like that." I look over at him, shocked by his honesty. He is watching me closely.

"Well sorry but I am past the meaningless sex stage in my life. Having a bunch of men in and out of my house, or always leaving Kai for one night stands is very irresponsible and I can't afford anymore one night stands. The next man to come into my life has to be there for good. For the sake of my heart and my daughter. And just because I am on vacation does not mean I am going to change that. Not even for you." The expression on his face seems mixed with shock and he seems a little impressed.

"Wow, I don't know how but you just got a lot more attractive." I instantly feel the blush rise to my cheeks and turn my head away from him before he can see. I hear him laugh softly behind me. "I would like to make it up to you though, so mall or no?"

"Sure, why not? You're supposed to keep me preoccupied, right?" I get up off the hood of his car and walk around to the passenger door. He immediately follows and goes around to the driver's side.

"Yes. I will try not to ruin the rest of your birthday."

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_|Xavier

"So you're serious about how the next man you date will have to be the one you marry?" She immediately looks at me skeptically but I hold up one hand in surrender. "Just making conversation, I promise." She relaxes a little bit and lays back in her seat.

"Yea, at this point in my life I can't afford anything less than a solid relationship. For me and my daughter." I can respect that. I am surprised she has not found a man willing to lock her down yet. She is gorgeous.

"So what does your perfect man look like?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know how women want there man to be a certain way. Seven feet tall, chocolate skin, making six figures. How is your man built?" I hear her laugh.

"Oh that. Well, I want someone who is open-minded, passionate, driven, kind, and willing to accept my daughter like she is his own. You can't be my man and not be willing to be around for my child as well."

"Understandable. Wow, you really are one of a kind."

"What do you mean?"

"Most women focus more on the looks than the personality traits. The outside seems to be more important these days."

"Well, men are the same way. You proved that today."

"No I didn't. I wasn't looking to build a relationship with you. I was just looking for some fun while we were on vacation. When I am finally ready to settle down I will need me an ambitious woman who will care about me physically, mentally, and emotionally. Not just for these good looks." I rub my chin and look at myself in the mirror. She starts laughing and I look over to see her shaking her head. "What are you shaking your head for?"

"Because you are a trip. So I am not relationship worthy, huh?" I glance over at her and she is watching me.

"Don't take it personal. Just not ready to settle down."

"Probably scared." I look over at her shocked.

"Me? Scared of what?"

"Commitment."

"Girl please, I could be the man of your dreams if I wanted to be."

"Sure you could. You try to sound like you care about women's feelings but you're still just a player." We finally make it to the mall and I find a semi-good parking spot. I put the car in park and turn to face her.

"Just because I don't want a relationship right now does not mean I don't know how to treat a woman."

"If you say so." I am low key getting annoyed by her doubt. She doesn't know a thing about me. I frown at her as she climbs out of the car and starts walking towards the door. This girl is something else. Speaking her mind like she knows me and she is super stubborn. But it's cute though.