Rich pictured above. 🔼
"Quanni?" He mumbled into the crook of my neck.

I didn't answer. I wouldn't even look his way. There was no way I was gonna let him see that I was falling for him. FALLING HARD. At first it was just a few innocent texts and phone calls, but then it turned into dates every week. I didn't want him to, but he was changing my whole view of him.

"Quannique."He said my whole name. He must be hella bold.

"My mama don't even call me that" I said, finally catching his gaze. Man, he had the most beautiful hazel eyes.

"Good thing I'm not ya mama then," he shot back.

"I see you," he said.

"Word? Tell me what you see." I glared at him waiting for a response. I was ready for him to make up some sappy bullshit so I could call this whole thing quits.

"I see you pushing me away," my heart skipped a beat when I heard the words fall from his mouth.

"W-what" I asked, a bit shocked that he was paying that much attention to any of my actions. When I feel us getting closer I distance myself, ignore phone calls, even cancel plans. I just don't wanna put my heart on the line for no reason.

"C'mon sweets, I'm 26 years old. If I was just another guy tryin to get in your panties I would've done it already and been gone" he shrugged his shoulders, looking out at the lake.

"I'm not doing this for the goods Quanni, I'm doing it for your heart," he said.

He was right. He could've hit it and quit it weeks ago. He could've acknowledged the fact that I was stubborn and sometimes had a horrible attitude weeks ago. He could've decided that my insecurities from my last relationship was too much, and lefts weeks ago- but he didn't.

"Rich, you could have any girl out here that you want. Why me?" I questioned.

"I mean, you're eight years older than me. I'm just a baby compared to you. You've established yourself in the world. You're partner at one of the biggest law firms in Illinois, AND you own your own barbershop. I'm just getting started. I'm only in my second year of an undergraduates degree. Are you really willing to wait for me to grow up? Could you really get used to wondering if it's okay with my parents if I spend the weekend with you? Or cutting dates short so I can go home and study for mid terms? I mean do you r-"

"Quannique, you're worth it." He simply said interrupting my rant.

"I'd do it all for you" he pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"I love you" he whispered into my ear. My eyes widened and my mouth flew open. Did he really just say that?

He placed his hand under my chin and pulled my face into his.

"Let me love you" he said before he brought his warm plump brown lips into mine. He kissed me with a passion that sent chills all the way down to my toes.

In that moment I knew... I was falling in love... With Richard Reynolds.

"Mr. Reynolds, your 10:00 is here." My assistant said through the intercom of my office. For nearly half an hour I was just sitting there thinking about Her- Stephanie Quannique Cartwright. Why she goes by her middle name, I'll never know.

I laid eyes on her a long time ago in a church that I was visiting with my cousin. I wasn't really paying that much attention to what was going on, but next thing I know, this drop dead gorgeous girl stepped up to microphone to sing a solo for her father. She tore the song up too. I mean I'm not as faithful to church or a relationship with God as I should be, but even I was in tears. I watched her beautiful curvy hips sway as she walked back to her seat. Who knew a simple black skirt and white button down shirt could look so good? To make matters worse, she had on a pair of pumps that looked to be about 5 or 6 inches- I love a woman in heels, and could walk in them too? I knew I was gonna have to make her mine.

Just as her father was finishing his opening prayer and she was about to sit down, I caught her eye. I gave a quick smile in hopes that I wouldn't look like a complete weirdo. She gave a quick nod and flashed a perfect white smile. She was perfect. I stared at her literally the entire service. As soon as service dismissed I tried to make my way to her, but everybody and their mama acted like they had so much to talk about.

"Richard Reynolds, boy is that you?" Mother Jenkins shouted from across the room. I flashed a quick fake smile and turned to greet her.

"Mother Jenkins, it's been a long time." I cooed as I leaned down to kiss her warm aged cheek.

"Well, that's cause some folks act like they don't know where the church house is no more..." I chucked nervously as she narrowed her eyes at me.

"I know mama J, I promise to do better, but I'll see you another time. I gotta go.. BYE" I rushed off before she could say another word. She was halfway down the aisle getting ready to leave. I had to catch her before it was too late.

"Sorry."

"Excuse Me!"

"Pardon Me!"

"My Bad.."

I squeezed through what seemed like a million people, and by the time I got to the front door of the church, she was already gone. But by all means necessary I was gonna get my chance.

She looked to be about the same age as my cousin Kaitln so I'd just ask her about her.

I scanned the parking lot for where all of my family was. When I spotted Kaitln I sprinted in that direction.

"Yo cuz, this pound cake is life! You better go get some before they run out" she said happily. I swear for her to be so little she stay eatin'.

"Aight K in a minute, but I got a question." I said with a curious expression on my face.

"Wassup" she asked.

"That girl who was singing, what you know about her?" I grinned as I placed my arm around her shoulder.

"Oh Quanni Cartwright? That's good people, as a matter of fact she's my best friend friend. Why? What you tryna do?" She asked with a little too much attitude as she pushed my hand away.

"Put me on," I said.

"Why so you can run game then leave her alone? Uh-uh nope. Not gonna happen. She's a good girl, and I love you cuzzo, but you're not about to play my friend." She crossed her arms and stared at me.

"See why you gotta act like that? Just do it for your fam please?" I low key was begging.

"I guess I'll see what I can do, but if you get wrong, I'll beat your ass for her. Be easy Rich, she only 18.

"Aight girl, stop tryna play me like I'm a dog. I'll hit her up on Facebook myself too just in case you F' it up. Talk to you later K." I chuckled as I walked over to my Camaro.

And that I did. I sent her a quick message asking if age remembered me. She said no, and honestly she acted like she wasn't feeling a broths so I left it alone and let K, do the magic. I gotta give her props too, cause one month later, here we are. I gotta admit, she gave me the cold shoulder for a minute but she warned up and let me in, and now? Well that's BAE.

****

"Right this way Mrs. Johnson" my assistant Rhea said, bringing me out of my day dream. She escorted my 10:00 to a seat located directly in front of my desk.

Mrs Johnson was a slightly older woman in the end stages of stage 4 brain cancer. But if you ask me, she was doing exceptionally well to still be functioning as well as she is. For the

past month or so she's been meeting with me to tie up loose ends with her finaces, and her will. Man, did I hate the way that sounded. I don't know what I'd do if I had to watch any of my family prepare to die, let alone be in that situation myself. I'd probably be a nervous wreck. But not Mrs. Johnson, she seems at peace about the whole thing, and it kinda gives me hope. To see someone who is literally experiencing hell on the inside put look and act so joyful on the outside is beautiful to me.

"How are you today pretty lady?" I greeted her with a warm hug.

"Well it's another day that I'm here, so I dare not complain," she grinned palming the right side of my face.

"How you sugar" she asked.

"I'm makin it, I'm making " I assured her.

We went over her last set of hospital bills, and changed up some parts of her will. The rest of the time was spent on her talking to me about life. I didn't mind at all, mainly because in some way she reminded me of my mom. I miss her so much. She passed away when I was 15 from a fatal car crash. Some idiot drunk driver has crossed the center lane and claimed her life. Since then I've been emotionally unattached to everybody- well with the exception of Mrs. Johnson and now Quanni.

We wrapped up our session and I walked Mrs. Johnson out to her car. "Alright pretty lady I'll see you same time next week?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"It's a date handsome" she winked as she pulled out of the parking lot and on to the highway.

I rushed back up to my office, logged off my computer, and grabbed my things to go to lunch. I decided I would have a park date with Quanni since she only had one class today.

I dialed her number as I stepped on to the elevator to head back downstairs. "Yes sir?" Her beautiful voice rang out through the phone, causing me to grin from chin to chin.

"Hey sweets, I'm about to be on the way now. Are you ready?" I asked.

"Yea, I am." She assured me.

"Good. Well I'll see you in a minute." I informed her before hanging up and getting inside my car.

About 10 minutes later I was in front of her house walking up the driveway. I only saw her car so that meant her parents weren't home- Thank God. It's been a whole month and I still haven't met her parents. Which reminds me, I gotta ask her what's up with that. But not now, I don't wanna ruin our date before it even starts.

When she opened the door and stepped outside it nearly took my breath away. Her hair was super curly with blonde highlights which made her brown skin and honey eyes glow. She was dressed in a white romper with a jean jacket and a pair of white sandals. She was flawless- and she didn't even have on makeup.

"Why you look all crazy?" She asked me giggling as she came down the sidewalk.

"I'm not sweets, you're beautiful that all" I said as I took her hand in mine. A smile crept up on her face. The same smile she had that day I saw her in church.

"Well thanks. Y'know you don't look too bad yourself either Mr, Reynolds." She winked as I opened up the car door. I gave her a funny smirk as I shut the door and walked to the drivers side.

"So when can I drive?" She asked me as her eyes wandered the interior like it was her first being in the car again. "That's a negative" I chuckled to myself.

"Seriously Rich. You know I'm getting one for graduation so you might as well let me give it a try" she tried to reason with me.

"Well when graduation comes, you can get in all the practice you need" I debated as I put on my seatbelt.

" Well forget you too" she smacked her lips and stuck out her tongue. It was times like this when I remembered that she was only eighteen, but it's cute.

"Oh forget me huh?" I leaned over the console and softly reached for her chin. Making her eyes connect with mine. I kissed her chin, nose, and forehead. Then finally her soft full lips. She tensed up a little a first but then finally she gave in and kissed me back. When I let go she was blushing.

" Yea forget you." She giggled as she looked out of the window.

I pulled out of the driveway and headed to Panera Bread to pick up my call in order. Shortly after we made it to the park. We ate, talked, laughed and just enjoyed being in each other's presence.

"That one right there looks like you" she laughed, pointing at the ugliest duck she could find. Its skin was rigged and bumpy and it looked a little beat up.

"Oh so you got jokes huh?" I smiled and pushed at her shoulder lightly. "C'mere girl. I grabbed her and pulled her into my lap and squeezed as tight as I could.

"Rich, leave me alone" she yelled breathlessly trying to talk and laugh at the same time.

"Take it back and maybe I will." I said looking down at my watch unbothered.

"Okaaay, I'm soooory" she giggled trying to break away from my grip.

"Exactly, lil girl" I dared her.

"Girl? Please I'm grown" she said lifting her hands and rolling her neck. "Okay, if you say so!" I backed down.

She turned and looked up at me, kissed my left cheek, then laid her head in my chest.

"You're perfect you know that?" I said as rested my chin on the top of her head. She didn't say anything she wrapped her arms around my waist and smiled against my chest.

We relaxed and talked for another hour until it was time for me to head back to work. It seemed like time had just evaporated but I'd see her again tonight so I didn't trip too much. Everything about Quanni made me feel better. Her talk, her walk, the way she pouts when she doesn't get her way, even the way the blushes and looks aways all shy why I say certain things to her.

I was falling in love, with Quannique Cartwright.