Chapter 13

Selena stood frozen for a second, her hand still gripping the doorknob as she stared at Von. He was leaning against her doorframe like he had all the time in the world, his dark eyes lazily scanning her from head to toe. The scent of his cologne—something deep and masculine with a hint of spice—lingered in the air between them.

She didn't know what to say. She hadn't expected him to actually show up.

"You just gon' stand there?" Von's voice was low, deep, and slightly amused, like he already knew she was caught off guard.

Selena blinked and quickly stepped aside, pulling the door open wider. "Uh, no—come in."

Von pushed off the doorframe and stepped inside, moving with the kind of slow confidence that made her nerves spike. He looked good—black tee fitting snug over his broad chest, diamond links around his neck catching the light, tattoos peeking from under his sleeves. He barely glanced around as he walked in, like he wasn't really concerned with his surroundings.

Selena shut the door behind him, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I was just about to eat," she said, motioning toward the kitchen counter where her takeout sat. "You hungry?"

Von shrugged, stepping farther into the apartment. "What you got?"

"Some wings."

His lips twitched slightly—maybe the closest thing to a smile she'd seen on him. "You eat ranch or blue cheese?"

Selena wrinkled her nose. "Ranch. Blue cheese is nasty."

Von huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Aight, you cool." He pulled out a barstool at the counter and sat down, leaning back slightly as he watched her. "You was expectin' me or somethin'?"

Selena sat across from him, popping open the takeout container. "Not really. But I mean... you did say you was coming."

He nodded like that made sense, but he didn't say anything else right away. Instead, he reached over, taking one of the wings without asking. Selena watched as he took a bite, his expression unreadable.

"You always quiet like this?" she asked after a moment.

Von lifted a brow. "You always ask this many questions?"

She sucked her teeth. "I wouldn't have to if you actually talked."

Von chewed for a second before setting the wing down and licking sauce off his fingers, his eyes locked onto hers. "I talk when I got somethin' to say."

The way he said it—slow, deliberate—made her stomach flip. She looked away, focusing on her own food, but she could still feel his eyes on her. It was weird, the way he made her feel. Like he had some kind of unspoken presence that demanded attention, even when he wasn't saying much.

"So what made you really come over?" she asked, glancing up at him.

Von leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the counter. "Ray said you new out here, ain't got no real people around you." He paused. "That true?"

Selena hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. I mean, I know Ray and them now, but before that, it was just me."

Von studied her for a second, then nodded like he understood. "Aight."

That was it. No advice, no fake sympathy, just that simple acknowledgment.

Selena tilted her head. "That why you came? To check on me?"

Von smirked slightly. "Somethin' like that."

She wasn't sure if she believed him, but before she could say anything else, he switched the subject. "Your folks know you out here?"

Selena hesitated. "Yeah, my mom does."

He caught the hesitation immediately. "Yo pops?"

She picked at her food, not meeting his gaze. "We don't really talk."

Von didn't press, but she could tell he was filing that away. He had a way of paying attention without making it obvious.

After a beat, he leaned back, checking his phone before standing up. "I'ma let you finish eatin'. You good?"

Selena blinked. "You leaving already?"

Von gave her a look. "You want me to stay?"

Her mouth opened, but no words came out. She wasn't sure what she wanted. But before she could figure it out, Von smirked like he already knew the answer.

"I'ma see you around, Selena." His voice was low, smooth, sending a shiver down her spine.

And then, just like that, he was gone.

Selena exhaled, staring at the door long after it shut behind him.

What the hell was she getting herself into?