Chapter 20

The next morning, Selena woke up to a dozen notifications still rolling in. Even after a full night's sleep, the fight was still trending, and her name was all over social media.

She groaned, rubbing her face before grabbing her phone off the nightstand.

— "Selena said, 'Meet me outside,' and Keelah ain't been the same since."

— "Keelah typing... but she need to be icing."

— "If I was Von, I'd wife her just off principle."

Selena rolled her eyes at that last comment but couldn't stop the small smirk from forming. People were making a whole spectacle out of the situation, but as far as she was concerned, it was over. She made her point, and now it was time to move on.

She tossed her phone onto the bed and stretched, her body still a little sore from last night. Keelah had barely put up a fight, but that didn't mean Selena didn't feel it. A hot shower was definitely needed.

Just as she stood up, a knock sounded at her front door.

She frowned, glancing at the time—10:17 a.m. She wasn't expecting anybody.

Cautiously, she made her way to the door, checking the peephole before opening it.

Von.

He leaned against the doorframe, hands in the pockets of his black sweats, a fitted cap pulled low over his eyes. Even in something as simple as a hoodie and joggers, he still looked good. Too good.

Selena crossed her arms. "You stalking me now?"

Von smirked. "You answerin' doors without asking who it is?"

She huffed, stepping aside to let him in. "What you want?"

He walked in, moving straight to her couch and sitting down like he'd been there before. Selena shut the door and turned to face him, waiting for an answer.

Von studied her, his dark eyes dragging over her like he was sizing her up in a whole new way. "You good?"

Selena gave him a look. "You asked me that last night."

"And I'm asking again."

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I'm fine, Von. Damn."

He nodded, but the way he leaned back, relaxed, told her he wasn't leaving anytime soon.

Selena shook her head, moving toward the kitchen. "I know you didn't come over here just to check on me."

Von watched her disappear behind the counter. "I came to eat."

She paused, turning to him with an arched brow. "Eat what? I ain't cooking."

Von smirked. "Then I guess we goin' out."

Selena stared at him for a moment, then scoffed. "Oh, so now you tryna take me out?"

Von's smirk didn't fade. "Something wrong with that?"

Yes. No. Maybe.

Selena didn't know what the hell this was between them, but she did know one thing—Von didn't move unless he wanted to. And right now, he was sitting in her apartment, looking comfortable as hell, basically telling her they were going somewhere.

And the crazy part? She didn't even feel like arguing.

She exhaled, shaking her head. "Where we going?"

Von stood up, his full height making her feel smaller than usual. "Go get dressed."

Selena rolled her eyes but turned on her heel, heading to her room. "Bossy ass."

Von chuckled lowly. "And you like it."

She didn't respond—but the way her stomach flipped told her everything she needed to know.

Selena took her time getting dressed, mostly because she wasn't about to rush just because Von told her to. She slid on a fitted black jumpsuit and threw on her black and white Dunks, keeping it simple. Her hair was still wrapped from last night, so she let it down and brushed it into a sleek ponytail. Light makeup—just some lashes and lip gloss.

By the time she walked back out, Von was still posted up on the couch, scrolling his phone. He glanced up, eyes dragging over her in a way that sent heat straight to her stomach.

Selena crossed her arms. "What?"

Von smirked, standing up. "Nothin'."

She grabbed her purse and phone. "Where we going?"

"You'll see."

Selena gave him a look but didn't argue. She locked up her apartment, and they headed downstairs to the parking lot. Von led her straight to his black Camaro, the sun hitting the fresh wax like it had just been washed. He opened the passenger door for her, waiting until she was settled before shutting it and walking around to the driver's side.

Selena leaned back, watching as he started the car. "So, what made you pop up at my place this morning?"

Von pulled out of the lot, his grip firm on the wheel. "Had to see you."

Her stomach flipped again, but she kept her expression neutral. "Why?"

Von exhaled through his nose, glancing at her. "Because you had a whole city talkin' about you last night."

Selena scoffed. "Not my fault. I didn't tell them to post me."

Von smirked. "Nah, but you gave 'em a show."

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "I'm not even like that. I just—"

"Handled your business," Von finished.

Selena glanced at him. "Yeah."

Von nodded like he understood. Like he respected it.

The ride was smooth, the low hum of music filling the silence. Selena watched the streets blur past, trying to figure out where they were headed. They weren't going toward the mall or any big restaurants, which had her even more curious.

Finally, Von turned into a small parking lot, pulling up in front of a hole-in-the-wall food spot. No big signs, no flashy lights—just a simple red-and-white building with tinted windows.

Selena frowned. "What is this?"

Von unbuckled his seatbelt. "Best wings in Baton Rouge."

She gave him a skeptical look. "That's a bold claim."

Von just smirked, opening his door. "Come find out."

Selena followed him inside, the smell of fried food instantly hitting her nose. The spot was small but clean, with a couple of booths along the walls and a counter up front. An older man behind the register grinned when he saw Von.

"Boy, where you been?" the man called.

Von dapped him up. "Chillin', Unc. Just puttin' her on."

The man's eyes landed on Selena, and he nodded in approval. "She must be special if you bringin' her here."

Selena raised a brow, glancing at Von. He just smirked.

"What you want?" Von asked her.

She studied the menu board before settling on honey lemon pepper wings and fries. Von ordered the same, along with a large lemonade for them to share.

They slid into a booth, waiting for their food. The atmosphere was chill, the smell of fresh wings making Selena's stomach growl.

Von leaned back, watching her. "You still mad at me?"

Selena blinked. "Mad at you?"

Von tilted his head. "For real? You was ready to cut me off a few days ago."

She shifted in her seat. He wasn't wrong.

"I just don't do all that drama," she muttered.

Von nodded slowly. "I know. That's why I ain't let you get caught up in it. But some shit you gotta handle yourself."

Selena met his gaze. "And what about you? You handle everything yourself?"

Von smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I handle what needs to be handled."

She didn't push, even though she wanted to. She could tell Von wasn't the type to say more than he needed to.

Before she could respond, their food came out, the smell alone making her mouth water. She reached for a wing, but Von caught her wrist.

"Hold on."

Selena gave him a look. "What?"

Von grabbed a fry, popped it in his mouth, and sat back. "Aight, go ahead."

She rolled her eyes, but she smiled a little as she took a bite. And damn—he wasn't lying. The wings were fire.

Von smirked, watching her reaction. "Told you."

Selena shook her head. "Okay, you got it. These wings hit."

Von just nodded, satisfied.

They ate in comfortable silence, the conversation slowing but never feeling awkward. It wasn't until they were finishing up that Von spoke again.

"You ever been to the levee?"

Selena frowned. "The what?"

Von smirked. "Come on. I'ma show you."

And just like that, Selena found herself following him again, wondering when the hell she started trusting him so easily.