After spending years in an abusive and draining relationship, Brittany decides to dedicate all of her time attending to herself and her daughter but what she didn't expect was to meet Jazmine Johnson. 

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"It's you" She announced softly

"So I did do something?" I asked thinking back, trying to figure out what exactly.

"You're doing everything right" She confessed leaving realization to stand in my mind.

"And that scares you?" I asked but it sounded more like a statement, nonetheless, she still gave me a small nod to confirm my words.

"What's your fear when it comes to us?" I asked softly.

"That you'll hurt me, lie, cheat, change" She replied her voice small and I could tell each word she said held a memory.

"I won't, and I know that's hard for you to believe because of past experiences but I'll prove it, we can move at whatever pace you want to,"

Riptide

I sat around the bar watching as she moved towards me gracefully. 


"You came," I fired back and she laughed, a sound so sweet it had me smiling. 


"You ready?" I asked referring to heading inside and she nodded wordlessly saying yes resulting in me standing. 


My eyes ran over her as I led her to the dining area of the restaurant, the navy blue dress she wore making it hard to look away, I pulled out her chair and she sat down saying a small thank you as I moved over to my own seat doing the same facing her. 


"You look beautiful," I complimented earning the same look of disbelief I always got whenever I complimented her, and I frowned drifting into my thoughts for a split second wishing I could read her mind. 


"Thank you," she said softly looking uncomfortable and I sighed mentally. 


"How was the drive?" I asked since she had declined my numerous offers to pick her up at home. 


"No, this is actually my first time," I replied, I owned the place but I didn't really go to restaurants to dine unless it was a special occasion since I always felt a huge amount of pressure to behave or do things a certain way. 


"I'll order for us then" she stated lifting the menu and I smiled. 


"You'll order for us?" I asked amused loving the sense of dominance and control she had. 


"I don't, so I'm guessing you've been here before" 


"I have, this is actually in my top five for restaurants," she replied complimenting me unknowingly and I smiled motioning for the waiter to come over. 


"Ms. Johnson, ready to order?" he asked and I motioned for him to direct his attention to her, silently wishing he hadn't greeted me by my name because now questions would be asked and I felt as if telling her that I owned the place would come off as conceited or bragging since that's what people usually label it as. 


I sat there watching as she ordered for us awaiting the questions. 


"So you've been here before?" she asked the minute he left and I smiled. 


"Probably with someone else?" she asked and I frowned hating the fact that was her first assumption. 


"No, I haven't, I actually own the place" 


"Because people usually label it as bragging, I didn't want you to view me as conceited," I confessed and she laughed slightly. 


"That's actually impressive, anybody that views your success as bragging is probably envious" she informed me, her words staying with me. 


"How do you own the place but have never eaten here?" she asked shortly after amusement hidden in her voice. 


"Just never gotten around to it" I replied smiling. 


"No, I actually wanted to become a basketball player or anything to do with photography and painting," I told her chuckling. 


"Life" I replied and she nodded in understanding. 


"Lack of inspiration, I guess," I replied and she smiled, her dimples making their presence known. 


"You seem like a dreamer" I mumbled and she laughed lightly. 


"And you seem like a realist," She fired back making me smile. 


"What about your pictures?" She asked and I chuckled leaning back gazing at her. 


"I don't really take pictures anymore either," 


"I just stopped I guess but I have opened art studios and I use them to help upcoming artists," I confessed as the waiter returned placing our food before us. 


We said our thank yous as he left, my gaze then moving over to her just appreciating. 


It's a short chapter since I updated twice yesterday, I hope you guys enjoyed it


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