Center Courtship by Liza Brown Page B

Mae.”
    I could feel my face turning red with embarrassment.
    â€œI’d rather be a virgin than ever be with you,” I said angrily.
    â€œBart, you need to leave,” I hear Elsu’s voice behind me. “You’re no longer welcome here. These Escalades? No longer your concern.”
    â€œBut I put the security in those, you owe me!”
    â€œHow much do I owe you?”
    â€œI don’t know, but I gifted you service and discounted the parts.”
    â€œAnd who asked you to do that? I owe you nothing. Now leave before I call the cops.”
    â€œYou’ll regret this!” Bart turned quickly and got in his truck. He pulled out of the driveway, his wheels skidding in anger as he went.
    â€œCan we go NOW?” I heard Saraya hiss from behind us.
    â€œAre you ok?” asked Elsu. “What was that about?”
    â€œWay too long a story,” I said.
    â€œIf you say so, I need to get going. Thanks again for coming,” he reached out and gave me a quick hug before turning to his Escalade.
    Before I had a chance to say anything, I noticed Richard was emptying the gas from Bart into Little José. “Thank you, I should be going, too. I’ve caused enough drama for one evening. Thank you for keeping me company.”
    â€œNot a problem, where is your phone?” he asked.
    â€œIn the truck, why?” I asked as I went to retrieve it from the cab.
    â€œLet me give you my number, I want you to call when you get home. I can tell you’re frazzled. I’d hate for something to happen to you. If you just want to text, that’s fine as well.” He handed back my phone after calling himself so I’d have his number in my call history.
    A quick honk behind me let us know that Elsu and Saraya were pulling out of the driveway. Richard and I waved to them as they left and I hopped into Little José. He turned over just like he should now that he’d been fed. I rolled down the window. “Thank you again, Richard, I really appreciate all your help. This has been a day and a half!”
    He watched me until I pulled out of the driveway. I started down the road and found the strength to finally relax. Little José had that ability. If I could find some magician who could cast a spell and make him human, I’d do it in a second. Always reliable, always comforting, never insulting.
    I pulled into my parking spot at my apartment building over an hour later. It was nearing midnight. After thinking back on the day I had, I was ready for a shower and bed.
    The Rogers Apartment Building was an old brick four-story structure with seven apartments on each level. Since my brother owned it, I got a discount on the rent. He entrusted me to be the building’s key-keeper.
    I rode the elevator to the third floor and walked down the wing to my unit. As soon as I put my key in the lock, my neighbor’s door opened and an unfamiliar man stepped cautiously out, looked at me, smiled and made a dash for the elevator. I knew the walk of shame when I saw it. My neighbor, Colette, was the closest thing I had to a best friend. Had it been any other day, I would have gone to check on her, but I was just too tired.
    The next morning, I stretched out and opened my eyes to find my cat, Diesel staring at me. He eyed me curiously and then meowed loudly and head butted me. He was hungry. So was I for that matter.
    After feeding him, and having a bowl of Cap’n Crunch, I got dressed and sat down at my computer to check on the news. There was a knock at the door. “Mae! Are you home?” Colette was here for our weekly Sunday morning coffee and gabfest.
    â€œNo one here by that name!” I shouted. I heard her key in the lock and she came in.
    â€œWhere were you last night? I looked out at ten and Little José wasn’t in his spot.” Colette sat down in her regular chair at my dinette after pouring herself a cup of coffee. She was a buxom black woman