“Are you gonna let me finish or what?”

“Sorry, go ahead.”

“Billy, I don’t wanna complicate your life, I just wanna get to know you. I know you’re cautious about your heart, and as God is my witness, I’d never intentionally hurt it. I just want a chance. One dinner, Billy. If you still think I’m an asshole, then I’ll get out of your life. Just give me a shot.”

Billy paused, as if she were contemplating his offer. She was glad that it was a phone call so that Marcus couldn’t see the silly grin that had spread across her face. Her mind still told her to tell him to go to hell, but her heart told her to give him a shot. She couldn’t live her life mourning Sol, and though she didn’t intend to fuck Marcus, he could be the first step in helping her let go.

“Okay, Marcus,” she said, in a tone that suggested she had a million things she could be doing other than talking to him on the phone. “I’ll give you your one dinner, but I’m warning you, if you try some fly shit, it’s off wit’ your head. We clear on that?”

“Crystal,” he said, trying to hide the joy in his voice. “Are you free tonight?”

“I might be,” she said, teasing him. “What did you have in mind?”

“A light dinner. I know a good Italian restaurant in midtown that we can hit.”

“Sounds good.”

“Great! You can meet me at the club tonight and—”

“Hold on, par. I’m not really trying to sit up in no strip club,” she told him. “You said dinner.”

Marcus chuckled. “Baby, you got the wrong idea already. I have to work there until about ten, but the rest of the night is ours. Come down about nine-thirty and have a drink until my shift is over. Don’t worry, I won’t let the girls get at you,” he joked.

“Very funny. I’ll be there, but I’m leaving at ten on the dot, whether you’re done with your shift or not.”

“Fair enough,” he agreed. “So I’ll see you tonight.”

“Wait a second,” she said. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did you get my cell number?”

“Yoshi gave it to me,” he answered, as if she should’ve already known.

“It figures. I’ll deal with that bitch later.”

“I hope you’re not mad?” he asked.

“Nah, it’s cool. You just remember what I said. Ten, and not a minute later.”

“I got you, Billy. Ten it is.”