DIANA'S POV

"Still thinking about pretty boy."Salome asked as she walked out of the back with a freshly baked chocolate cake.

My mouth watered at the sight and I was about to reach out for a piece when she slapped my hand away. I didn't even fight her on it, I'd just wait till she was out back to gorge on it.

"Aren't I always thinking about pretty boys?"I retorted.

"Yeah true but this time it's just the one. It's been two weeks Dee. You know where he works, why don't you go back there and ask him out?"She suggested and my heart nearly beat out of my chest.

"What?! I can never do that.""I spluttered quickly rejecting the idea.

"It's the twenty first century, you can do whatever you want. Women ask men out you know."Salome continued.

"I know but not in my case."I replied and she scoffed at me.

"You're just making excuses. Anyway I'm going back to my baking while you continue moping."

"I'm not moping."I mumbled but she with her cat ears heard me.

"Yes you are and don't you dare eat that cake Dee. Eating your feelings doesn't make them disappear."She jabbed one last time at me before walking through the back door and leaving me gaping at her.

The nerve of that woman. She was lucky we were bound together for life as she was the mother to my nephew otherwise I wouldn't have allowed her to get a free pass for that statement. I opened my book to resume my reading with a frown on my face. Twenty minutes later I realized that I was just reading the same sentence over and over again without understanding anything so I shut the book.

I stood up and straightened my grey checked dress before strutting lazily towards the Fantasy section. I'd just had books delivered and I had been putting off arranging them. It was the perfect time since I didn't have anything better to do. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and it was fairly busy in the book cafe. I was still close enough to the check out counter to handle the sales so I didn't overwork Salome and Sophia.

Two weeks later and I was still thinking about Kareem. I was no closer to figuring out what to do than I had been when I left him standing by the side of the road. He had actually asked me out and me like the gaping fool I was left him hanging. I could have at least told the guy no but my mouth could not properly form that word. I didn't have the guts to reject him when deep down I wanted to say yes and have him take me out. Dating Kareem would be a dream come true but there was still the little detail about me knowing too much of his past. How could I be sure he was not the same womanizing drug addict he had been? My heart was at stake and I didn't want to risk it.

Salome had thought it would be fun to install one of those bells on the door that let you know when the customer walked in. It was not fun for me and I was close to marching there and ripping it from its screws with my bare hands. I turned my attention to the door and standing in all of his glory was Kareem holding an adorable young girl in his arms. The same young girl in the photo I'd seen in his office. I quickly ducked behind the counter and took my seat hoping I was properly hidden by the flower vase on top of the counter. My heart was racing and my mind whirling with lots of questions. What was he doing back and why did he have to bring his possible daughter with him? Also why did he have to look so good in those blue jeans and rolled up sleeves?

Luck was not on my side as his heavy footsteps approached the counter and knocked twice on it. If I didn't answer his call Salome would and there was no way I was letting that loud mouth meet Kareem. Plastering a fake smile on my face I straightened up allowing him to finally see me. He smiled when he saw me, his dimples popping out and I almost swooned. Why did he have to have dimples?

"Hello, welcome to Munching Diaries bookcafe. How may I help you?"I asked in the professional tone I used on all new customers.

It's as if he was expecting my indifference because his smile never wavered like I expected it to.

"Hello Diana. Fancy running into you again."He teased and I rolled my eyes.

"Hi Kareem. I'd say the wind blew you in but you're probably too heavy for that."I replied mentally smacking myself for my lame comeback.

"I'll take that as a compliment but anyway I'm here for book shopping. This little lady here wants new books even though she hasn't finish the ones she's got at home."He explained directing that last part with a playful glare to the girl in his arms.

"A deal is a deal uncle. You said if I came with you I'd get a book and a treat."The girl spoke up and the word uncle immediately registered in my mind.

I found myself breathing in relief that she was his niece. That thought only lasted for a second though before I realized he could have a kid, his niece didn't eliminate that factor.

"Well I'm happy to help the little lady whose name I don't know yet pick out a book."I offered quickly composing myself.

"My name is Nuru."She introduced.

"Wow such a beautiful name. It's nice to meet you Nuru, I'm Diana."I replied holding out my hand for a shake.

"Don't I get a handshake."Kareem asked and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"So what book do you want Nuru?"I asked her ignoring Kareem.

Nuru tapped her chin thinking hard for a few moments before she shrugged unable to make up her mind.

"Muffin why don't you go look around for the book that you would like while I talk to Diana for a minute."He requested putting her down.

Before I protested she yelled okay and rushed off to what I hoped was away from the romance section. I did not need a seven year old getting corrupted in my store.

"Now that we're alone. Hi Diana, you look lovely today."He complimented and I bit my cheek to hold in my smile.

"Thank you."I replied politely.

"Anytime, so about our last conversation that you ran away from."He continued bringing up our last encounter.

I had hoped he'd have forgotten about it but it was clear the man had used his niece as an excuse to come see me so he had definitely not forgotten.

"I did not run away, my uber arrived."I muttered weakly.

"Sure it did but no worries I'm here now. I hope two weeks was enough for you to think of an answer. So what's it gonna be?"He asked.

I wanted to reply and tell him that two weeks was not enough time but that would be rude. Before I could come up with a reasonable enough answer my dear sister in law saved the day by joining us with more baked goodies from the kitchen. I may have used the word saved too generously because when she recognized Kareem her eyes lit up with mischief. She had never seen him but I had talked about him so much making it easy for her to recognize him.

"Well hello there. You must be Kareem."She greeted excitedly putting the tray down, her original destination forgotten.

Kareem looked at her confused, tilting his head to the side"Yes I am. I'm sorry do I know you?"He asked innocently.

I begged to the heavens for the ground to open up and swallow me whole because I was in for some serious embarrassment.

"No but I do know you. Diana here will not shut up about you."Salome blurted out and I changed my prayer. I wanted a meteor to hit us and blow us all up.

"Does she now?"Kareem asked with a cheeky smile making me want to punch that smug look off his face.

I decided to save myself before Salome ruined me.

"Salome if you don't leave right now I will call Ashton and tell him that the watch you got him last year for his birthday that he so treasures was actually from me because you forgot and begged me to switch gifts with you as you had bought him socks last minute."I threatened with a cheeky smile and she did not have to be told twice.

She picked up her tray and left us alone but not without giving me a warning glare. It's not my fault she forgot her husband's birthday. I was a good sister in law and covered for her but it did not stop me from using that as leverage to get my way.

"Not shut up about me huh?"Kareem asked still grinning.

"Oh please at least I didn't use my niece as an excuse to come here."I retorted and he raised his arms in surrender.

"Touché. I'm still waiting for my answer though."He reminded me and I went back to silent mode.

"Why do you have to think so hard about it. Am I not your type or something?"He asked and my denial was cut off my Salome's scoff.

"Oh sweetheart believe me you are her type."She replied showing she was still eavesdropping on our conversation.

"Salome!"I scolded with a warning tone.

"Oh sorry, my bad. Do you guys smell smoke? Is something burning? My cupcakes! I'm coming my darlings."She exclaimed dramatically as she rushed to the back.

Kareem looked at me expectantly waiting for a response and I had no idea what to say to him. I wanted to be honest but I still wanted to preserve my dignity. How could I admit that I'd had a crush on him since high school without making myself look like a fool. He was also doubting himself which was the last thing I needed. Salome was right. He was my type.

"If I am your type then what's stopping you from going out with me. I know you're single, Manuel told me so and he'd never lie to me about that. Did I do something to you?"He asked and I shook my head.

"No you didn't."I quickly denied.

"Then what is it."He demanded a little too loudly getting clearly getting agitated by my behavior.

"It's because I know you Kareem."I blurted out unable to hold it in any longer.

Kareem looked taken aback by my outburst as he stared at me wide eyed. It felt good to admit that but it meant that I had to give him more information for him to understand what I meant.

"What's that supposed to mean?"He asked.

I rubbed my arms nervously trying to come up with the best way to explain myself. I noticed my glasses next to the book I had been reading and an idea came to mind. Maybe I didn't have to tell him myself, but I could jog his memory. I grabbed a hair tie from my desk and gathered my hair into a messy pony tail which was how I wore my hair for most of my highschool and college life. Slipping on my glasses I turned to face Kareem who had been staring at me the whole time wondering what I was up to.

My transformation did not have the expected reaction as he still stared at me blankly.

"You looked sexy in glasses?"He phrased in question like manner and I groaned out in frustration.

How dense could the man be?

"You still don't remember?"I asked getting frustrated myself.

"Remember what?"He questioned in return.

"Okay fine how about this. Do you know who Kyle Mbila is?"I asked and his clueless expression changed as he recalled something.

"Yeah he was my classmate back in highschool then we went to the same college but I haven't seen the guy in years. What does he have to do with anything?"He asked and I felt like stabbing him with a pencil.

"Look at me then think of that name. Take your time."I replied and willed myself not to move away from his piercing gaze.

It took a few minutes of him gazing at me before the recognition set in and his eyes widened as he pointed a shaking finger at me.

"Fuck me. You're Diana? Kyle's Diana. He used to call you mama because your second name is Mumbi which means creator. How did I not recognize you?"He asked his eyes running all over my body in a questioning stare.

"I've been asking myself the same thing."I muttered.

"You have changed though. You're no longer the innocent little nerd who always had her nose buried in books. I mean you're still a nerd who is definitely still into books but you've become sexy. Fuck how did I not see it."He rambled on.

"You need to stop cussing now."I reprimanded

He mumbled a sorry but still continued gazing at me. He considered me sexy now, I should have been pleased with that but it irked me that he saw me as an innocent nerd back in college. I might have been yes but I didn't want him to see me that way. I would never have cheated on Kyle but it wouldn't have hurt to know that the guy I was crushing on was interested in me, even just a little bit. That may have made me a terrible person and girlfriend but it was already in the past anyway.

"So you're hesitant to date me because of Kyle?"He asked and I shook my head.

"No it's because I knew you back then Kareem, you're behavior, mannerisms, addictions and infidelities. A leopard can never change its spots."I replied and his eyes widened in surprise.

He was probably shocked that I could remember all that. Well of course I did and I was not about to risk my heart for a drug addict playboy to have his fun.

"What if it was never a leopard in the first place, just a lion whose mane was shaved off and spots painted on to make him look like one."He asked with a sad look on his face and it was my turn to be surprised.

Why would he say that? Did I really not know how Kareem as well as I thought I did.

"That's not the only reason. Why should I trust that you want to date me now if you couldn't even look at me back then. And don't say it's because I was in a relationship, I heard things about you sleeping with literally everyone, even your friends girlfriends. Or were you afraid of Kyle?"I asked wanting to know the reason why my feelings were one sided back then.

"You think I never hit on you because I was afraid of Kyle. The dude was a dirtbag, may never have cheated on you but he never did treat you right either. Diana I never hit on you out of respect for you. You were always so innocent, so good and I knew with my damaged self, one touch from me and I could ruin all that good so I stayed away. You deserved better than me, hell better than Kyle, that's why I kept my distance."He explained.

The mentality I'd built up inside my head about Kareem came tumbling down and I could now see him in a new light. He had noticed me and liked me, he just respected me enough not to contaminate me with his misdeeds.

Neither of us knew what to say after that. A lot had been said and the past had been rehashed. To be honest, I needed more time to think about all we had talked about.

"Uncle I want this one."Nuru's excited voice declared.

I looked at her to see her holding up Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children.

"That's a good read Nuru. You will love it. Why don't I package it for you?"I requested and she nodded handing me the book.

I quickly put the book in a bag and added a pencil shaped like a wand and a few book marks before handing her the package. Kareem paid before picking up his niece.

"We're not done yet Diana. I will be back."He promised and with that he turned on his heel and walked out of the bookcafe.

His words were a promise and if I was sincere with myself I was already looking forward to seeing him again. Maybe by then I'd have figure out my feelings and what I really wanted.

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Love@Lyssah.