Hey Guys. I was more than surprised that I actually got reviews when I uploaded my last chapter. It has literally been YEARS since I was I uploaded anything. It's been years since I had written something that wasn't being graded for class. Please bare with me, because this is a work in progress. Excuse the typos and I know there are some. No matter how many times I reread I never catch them all.

Please leave some feedback! Just let me know someone is reading it

With Love,

-J

"Take care of my girl . If she goes missing please remember I know where you work." Sharay said seriously from the doorway as she watched Ray & Neela disappear into the dark hall.

Ray looked back and smiled sarcastically, "It was nice meeting you too".

"Whatever", Sharay snapped before slamming the door loud enough to wake the neighbors

Neela smiled up at him happily, "Aren't they sweet girls? I had fun tonight Ray. Didn't you?"

" Ovaries, leaking, periods, placentas, leaking, fluids, and discharge. Yep, sounds like my kind of night.", Ray huffed as they walked down the millionth stair.

A hint of sadness swept across her face for a second before she answered, "Well ... Ray... I enjoyed myself. Sometimes when I'm missing Gallant these girl brighten my whole week."

Neela straightened her head and quickened her pace. Just like that the moment was gone and Ray felt like he missed it. This was the exact reason he played guitar in the band. He couldn't sing, but more importantly he wasn't eloquent enough to pen songs. He could make the guitar speak the words his lips couldn't form. Music had a way of picking up where his words left off. He needed to do or say something, anything , to fix his mistake.

"Watch out for the puddle!", Ray yelled before swiftly grabbing Neela and throwing her unceremoniously over his left shoulder. Shocked, Neela yelped in surprise as Ray carried her the rest of the way to the car. Ray's hair became tousled as an icy breeze suddenly blew. She caught the scent of her vanilla shampoo on his hair and chuckled to herself

"C'mon I'm hungry and you're buying. All this talk about vaginas has worked up my appetite.", Ray said as he dropped her by the passenger side door.

Rolling up her brown eyes Neela sighed, "I swear Americans say whatever comes to their mind. No one has a filter in this country".

"Filters are overrated", he responded from inside his car

Ray snuck a peek at Neela's face in darkness. Even in the dark somehow her bronzed face shone brightly. She really was beautiful ,despite how she continuously tried to downplay it. It actually angered him sometimes that she refused to acknowledge what everyone , including himself, can see. Catching him staring Neela nervously struck up a conversation.

"I did learn some valuable information about you tonight", she smiled devilishly as she rubbed her frigid hands together

"Which was what? Enlighten me." Ray pulled out the complex and veered the car towards home.

"Your charm does not seem to work on black women. Those girls were less than impressed by the great Ray Barnett. Even the black nurses at work don't become unsettled whenever you turn it on".

Ray looked at her shocked and scoffed, "I'll have you know I'm southern boy at heart. I love black women and they love me. "

"Well excuse me Huckleberry Finn", Neela joked

"Huckleberry Finn?"

" Yes, I've been catching up on my American literature lately. Figured I should become more versed in American culture. Especially since I have no plan on moving back to England anytime soon."

Ray suddenly switch lanes cutting off two cars and a tow truck without looking back. Neela gripped the door handle for dear life.

"I can't have you reading these outdated relics that I was forced to read in high school. America has come a long way since those books were written. Next thing you'll be quoting To Kill A Mockingbird".

"I read the book and watched the movie last week. It was so moving. I currently enjoying The Great Gatsby. Is there a movie for that as well?" Ray looked at Neela's excited face and couldn't help but smile inside. She was the most interesting character, male or female, he had ever met.

"You want to learn about American culture? Don't worry, I got you roomie".