Ebony Angel by Deatri King-Bey

felt one corner of his mouth tip up higher than the other. “At least not outside. Make that outside in the winter.”
    He continued driving down the road, happy he had brought a smile to her face.
    * * *
     
    Ebony stood in the foyer of Richard’s condo, thinking antiseptic . The polished hardwood floors did nothing to warm the large open space he called the living, dining and kitchen areas. The bare white walls begged for decorative covering.
    “Nice couch,” Ebony commented, as she took the two steps down into the living room. She ran her hand along the black leather sofa, searching for something else to compliment. Finding nothing, she said, “I think Dan has one like this in his office.”
    “I’ll fix us something to eat after I change. Make yourself at home.” He went off to his bedroom. “Two minutes.”
    She walked around the practically bare condo. Its aura was lonely, cold. The kitchen surprised her. Expecting to find the room without cooking equipment and a garbage can filled with take out bags, she found, instead, a fully stocked, obviously used gourmet kitchen.
    She returned to the living area. She would have turned on the television or radio, but saw none. She sorted through the books on the end table, all Isaac Asimov and Octavia Butler. She loved science fiction, too.
    Crystal would love to have a sliding contest on the polished hardwood floor. She closed her eyes, wondering how she could explain her arrangement with Trae. She swore she would never tell anyone, and Trae held all the cards. Even though Trae and Skeet never showed their darker sides in front of Crystal, she didn’t want to raise her child anywhere near their world.
    She looked toward Richard’s room. She had told him everything she could. Surely, he could see she wanted what was best for her child.
    Once she graduated and got some money together, she could at least move out of the neighborhood. That would be a step in the right direction.
    The evening’s events had aroused an uneasy stirring in Ebony. In her heart of hearts, she had known Trae would give her more trouble about dating Richard. His backing off didn’t compute. Shame quickly washed over her.
    She recognized her growing unease as ego and pride. It was hard to admit, but knowing Trae would fight for her had given her a rush. She wasn’t in love with him, and had no desire to pursue a relationship with him, yet she felt power in knowing he cared so much for her. She bit her lip, convincing herself that had to be the reason he backed off.
    She lightly laughed at herself for being so arrogant. Trae bursting her bubble was just the kick she needed. Yes, he’d given Richard a hard time, but his backing off so easily showed he wasn’t fighting for her affection, but control.
    She prided herself for moving on and looked down on Trae for being stuck in the past. She now realized she was the one who had not truly moved on.
    Richard stepped out of the bedroom wearing a Bulls T-shirt and black shorts. Her eyes traveled over his athletic build, eating him up. Like Trae, he was only an inch taller than her.
    “Do you play basketball?” she asked.
    He knelt before her, sending her heart racing. “I haven’t since I left Texas last month.” He stroked the outside of her legs, gently kissed her lips. “I hear your stomach growling. Let me show you the kitchen.” He stood, pulling her along. “I’m the master of stir-fry.”
    “You’d better stop teasing me.”
    “What?” he asked over his shoulder.
    “That little brush of the lips thing you do. You’re a tease.”
    He took the cutting board out and set it on the kitchen island. “You’ve been teasing me since you took off your scarf this morning. I know my limits. You only get a brush of the lips.” He pointed to the glass containers on the counter. “Do you want rice or noodles with your stir-fry?”
    She laughed at his change of subject. “Can I do something to help?” She reached for the jar of linguine. “I