“No, I don't, and just because a female says she's not looking for anything doesn’t mean she already has someone. Maybe I’m just happy with me.”
Miego chuckled and eyed the little girl who was sitting on Yami’s hip. “You’re right. That’s your shorty?
“Yeah, why?” Yami asked.
“She don't look nothing like your red ass. I’m just saying. I mean, she’s cute, but she damn sure don't look like you. Her damn daddy must be dark as hell, and she’s half your size, so you need to put her down and let her walk. I know she has to be heavy as fuck.”
Miego had his eyes on Yami’s daughter, so he had no idea that Yami was glaring at him. He hadn't actually said anything offensive about her daughter, but the fact that he was saying anything at all had her ready to cuss him out.
“Anybody ever tell you that you’re rude as fuck?” Yami snapped.
She was in the process of stepping around him again, and this time, he didn't move. But she stopped, not really knowing why. He was pissing her off with the mention of her daughter, but for some reason, she felt the need to stay put instead of keeping it moving like she had originally planned.
“All the damn time.” Miego finally looked at Yami as the sun caught her brown eyes, making them damn near glow while she peered at him.
“Yeah, well you might want to consider that as constructive criticism and do something about it.”
Miego laughed. “How the fuck am I rude just because I said she don't look like you?”
“You're rude because you shouldn't talk about someone's child, especially if you don't know them.”
“I apologize if you're offended, and I don't see why because I said she was cute. But I’m just stating facts. She don't look like you. You’re bright as fuck and she’s brown skinned.”
Miego had his eyes on the little girl again, who was now watching him. She smiled, which made him smile back. He had never really been around kids other than his nephew, who was still a baby, but she was cute. If she was a package deal to get with Yami, then he was about to be stepfather of the year.
Yami let out a sigh and then adjusted her daughter on her hip. “Please get out of my way so I can go.”
“Give me your number and I will.”
“Why would I do that? You don't know me and I don't know you. I just told you I'm not looking for anybody.”
“I know you, Yamiah, I just want to know you better. You might not be looking, but maybe since I found your stubborn ass, then you might actually want to give it a shot,” Miego said.
Him calling her by her name had Yami feeling some type of way because he had obviously done his research. She wondered if he knew who her daughter’s father was. That was definitely going to be an issue. She had to admit that she was intrigued. Miego was nice on the eyes with his tall, muscular frame, mocha skin, and low cut wavy hair, looking like he had just got out of a barber’s chair. His body was covered with tattoos, but the ones across his hands let her know that she needed to keep moving.
Her daughter’s father was crazy as hell as it was, and her messing with a guy in a rival gang was a definitely a no, no. She didn't need that drama, so as much as she wanted to know more about Miego, she decided against it.
Yami and Black technically weren't together, but in his mind, she belonged to him. Part of that had to do with the daughter they shared, but Black just wouldn't let go. No matter how many females he had fronting her, calling her out her name and trying to put their hands on Yami, Black still believed he had some type of claim to her. That was one of the reasons why she was working so hard to move up out of their neighborhood. Distance was the only answer to her problem with Black. He was born in the streets, raised in the streets, and would never leave, not even for her. In her mind, that was her out.
“You know my name, but you don't know me.” Again, she tried to step around Miego and this time, he let her. She started walking away, even though she didn't want to, but Miego's voice from behind her made her smile.
“I’ll find you, don't worry. This is not my usual shit, but for you, I’ll put the time in. I can tell you’re worth the chase. See you soon, baby girl.”
Yami kept walking, smiling the entire time. She didn't look back or acknowledge what he said, but she hoped he meant it.
After she made it down the block to her destination, she pushed through the broken metal door, not bothering to press the buzzer to her sister’s apartment because it was broken. One she reached the elevator, she adjusted her daughter on her hip and waited for it to reach the first floor. She smiled to herself as thoughts of Miego flowed through her mind. There was something about him that had her intrigued. It wasn't often that a guy had her attention the way that Miego did, especially after being burned by Black. He had put her through, and was still putting her through, so much that she had basically written off men and relationships altogether. At this point, her daughter was her first priority, and next in line was graduating.