Between the Lines

25

Kimora snorted. "Darius!"

"Nah, see, I'm good," he said, stepping off the machine. "I'll be moral support from over here."

The whole class chuckled, and even the instructor gave him a sympathetic nod. Kimora, on the other hand, was fully entertained.

"You sure?" She asked.

Darius shot her a look, rubbing his knee like he had just been through war. "Yeah, I'm positive. This some rich people torture."

Kimora burst out laughing, shaking her head. "It's not that bad."

By the time class ended, Darius looked done. His shirt clung to him, showing off every muscle, and his legs had taken a beating.

"Yeah, you got it," he said as they walked out. "You won."

Kimora smirked, looking him up and down. "You lowkey did good for your first time."

"Lowkey?" He scoffed. "You like playing with me."

She laughed, linking her arm with his. "I'm proud of you though. Now, as a reward, I got something for you to try."

Darius side-eyed her as they walked down the street. "Tired of trying new things ma. You tryna set me up again?"

"Now am I the type to do that?" she asked innocently.

"Yes."

She rolled her eyes, leading him into a little café. The smell of coffee and fresh pastries filled the air as they stepped inside. She walked straight to the counter and ordered two iced matcha lattes and a cookie for him.

Darius frowned. "What is that?"

"Matcha."

His expression didn't change. "What is this? Peach I'm all for trying shit for you, but why this shit green?"

Kimora smacked her lips, grabbing the drinks and handing him one. "Just try it."

Darius took the cup and lifted it to his lips, hesitating before taking a sip.

The second the matcha hit his tongue, he froze. His face twisted in disgust. "Oh, hell nah."

He swallowed and looked at her like she had personally betrayed him. "It tastes like grass!"

She rolled her eyes. "No it doesn't. Don't tell me you one of those."

"Kimora, be for real," he said, staring at the drink like it had personally offended him. "I just worked my ass off in that class, and this my reward? Leaf juice?"

She giggled, taking a sip of hers. "Matcha is good, you're buggin. It's good for you too."

"Nah I'm good," he muttered, setting the cup down like it was toxic.

"Here's a cookie then." She said, sliding the cookie to him. Kimora was still laughing as they stepped back outside. The sun was hitting just right, casting a golden glow over him. She tried not to stare, but it was hard not to when he looked that good—his shirt clinging to his frame, his arms flexing every time he moved, those damn basketball shorts showing just enough to distract her.

"You gon keep starting at me or let me drive you home?" Darius asked, amusement lacing his voice.

Kimora quickly looked away. "Boy, shut up."

He grinned, nudging her with his shoulder. "Nah, you was looking."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the smile on her face. He really was fine, and it was even worse now that they were spending more time together. He made her laugh without even trying, and despite all his complaining, he still showed up for her, still tried things just because she wanted him to.

It was getting too easy to like him.

Darius stretched his arms over his head, letting out a deep breath. "Aight, so what's next on your list of things to torture me with?"

Kimora smirked. "I dunno. Maybe yoga next time?"

He gave her a deadpan look. "You got jokes."

She giggled, stepping closer. "C'mon, you had fun today. Admit it."

He exhaled, shaking his head but smiling. "You annoying."

"And you love it," she teased, bumping his hip with hers.

Darius smirked, looking down at her. "Yeah... maybe."

Kimora's heart did a little flip, but she played it cool. "Whatever. You still owe me for that matcha slander."

"Never drinking that again."

She laughed, looping her arm through his again as they walked down the street. Maybe this thing between them was still new, but she liked where it was going. And for now, that was enough.

Kimora was still laughing, watching the way his face twisted like he'd been personally offended by the matcha. She didn't miss the way his dimples showed when he chuckled along with her, or how his skin glowed under the sunlight.

And damn, he looked good.

His fitted shirt clung to his chest and arms just right, the fabric slightly damp from their workout. The way his shorts sat on his legs, showing off all the time he clearly put in at the gym, it was almost distracting. Almost.

She caught herself staring a little too long and quickly looked away, taking another sip of her drink to play it off.

"You tryna kill me with that healthy-ass drink," Darius said, still shaking his head as he opened the door to the smoothie shop they were walking toward. "I knew I shoulda stuck to my usual."

Kimora smirked, stepping inside after him. "You just got no taste, that's all."

"Nah, I just got standards," he shot back, flashing her that cocky grin that made her stomach flip in a way she wasn't ready to admit.

They had been spending more time together lately, and with every moment, she found herself growing more comfortable around him. It was easy with Darius—he made her laugh, made her feel at ease.

And no matter how much she tried to ignore it, she couldn't help but notice just how fine he was.