The Best Part

By Kisha Green

The Best Part is a collection of short stories that will delight, entice and illuminate with every page turned. Take a journey to places of mental seduction, love, betrayal, and deceit with the perfect sprinkle of sexy to entice your mental tastebuds. At the same time, The Best Part removes the stigma that you must be weird, strange, or a freak for wanting to explore your sexual curiosity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DivaBooksInc
• Release date: Jul 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798201044961

Kisha Green

Kisha Green is a jane of all trades whose mantra is “Turning literary dreams into published realities.” She has a strong passion for assisting authors in their writing and making their dreams come true.  Aside from having a passion for supporting authors, Kisha is a well-established author. She's been writing professionally since she was twenty-one. Her most popular novel is, ‘And Even If I Did’, released in 2006. Kisha Green is also the host of the award winning online radio show, Writer's Life Chats, an online radio show where she interviews aspiring and seasoned authors. As an avid reader and book reviewer, her reviews have appeared on Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari, Urban Book Source and other notable sites.  In 2016, she was nominated for Literary Activist by AAMBC and is the recipient of the 2014,2016 & 2017 Literary Excellence Award presented by Black Pearls Magazine. Currently, Kisha resides in New Jersey and is a contributing writer for Urban Tymes, LitIsh, and Literary Jewels. A firm believer in "each one, teach one," Kisha Green launched Literary Jewels, an online resource for aspiring writers interested in self-publishing. She has also participated in numerous panel discussions and workshops on the topic. She can be found on many social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Book preview

GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN:

Dolores Marie Price

Shawnn McPherson

Rita Warrington

Qaahhar Davis

Jab Rudolph

Mark McClain

Alvin Winn

PRU’S SWEET JUSTICE

Prudence McCall or Pru as often called, wanted to fall in and have the happily ever after like every girl dreamed of. She had repeatedly fantasized about her ideal, and he was tall, handsome, and financially stable; no, it did not make her a gold digger, but more so in this day and age, realistic. There were also some non-negotiables, such as having good credit and nice teeth. To some, this would have seemed as if Pru was coming off a little shallow, but truth be told, time wasn't waiting for anyone, and quite frankly, Pru needed to get some use out of her uterus before they started to talk about hormone replacements and hysterectomies.

This attitude of Pru was not just hers but of many single females looking for love. How did one make a statement like that? Pru loved herself so much in this case and genuinely believed no one else could come close unless she loved herself completely. She was one that many probably have warned men about but trust all of what you heard wasn't true. She was a no-nonsense female, but as this would have been viewed as a gift, it often became a curse that left her sitting at home many nights, hence the recent online dating fascination. Pru was the real deal and what many would consider the perfect package, BUT her choices in men often had people wondering if she was a glutton for punishment.

In the past, the dating categories would vary from committed relationships, casual dating, friends with benefits, and booty calls that can be mentally but more emotionally draining. So many issues and unnecessary drama that will have you ready to throw in the towel, so in the meantime, online dating will suffice until the happily ever after happens. The appeal of online dating is you get to have all the fun without even leaving the house, and the best part is that it is judgment-free, so no one will judge someone for having multiple glasses of wine and flirting with strangers. One evening while sitting on the bed watching Netflix while perusing a dating app, window shopping is what she called it when Pru came across a picture of a nice-looking male with a friendly smile, which was more significant than her own. The next thing she did was look to see the distance, which read forty miles away. Pru initially thought that was not that bad but hoped he had a car as I did not want to get involved with a build a bear. Men who were not dating with a purpose were what she hated about online dating and being single; they either did not have a car, a place of their own, a truck driver wanting a phone book to pass the time, or simply not working due to the pandemic. Not that we all had not struggled before and sat too high on the horse, but by the time you reach your mid-forties and over, it is about honesty, loyalty, effective communication consistency, being financially secure to some degree, and not wasting your time. So, a bright smile and she exchanged pleasantries via the app, and it was your typical. First up was finding his name since the profile read Big Nut, and she did not know whether to side-eye or smile. Still, one of them made her slightly suspicious when he mentioned her pretty feet; I thought to myself which picture had Pru's feet since most of the photos were selfies. Still, one with the white polish, and immediately thought he had a foot fetish but continued to exchange messages until he gave his number. The two-continued texting each other throughout the evening until she began to doze off. The next day she was curious if she would hear his voice as he had piqued her interest. To Pru's surprise, the following day called, they both realized that they had a lot in common, as the phone conversations flowed effortlessly and he either made her smile or blush. Another brownie point is that he was 5'8, and the two-inch height difference did not intimate him, as Pru liked his swag and found his confidence so damn sexy. The two spoke on the phone every day for the next week. During these various times, he would catch her without makeup, bra, her hair done, and some nights, just a bonnet and Vaseline. The conversations kept them both engaged as it appeared he was a breath of fresh air. The two finally agreed to meet at Starbucks after Pru left work. Things went so well that day leading up to the actual meeting, and that was until he ghosted Pru; he never showed up and blocked her on social media. Pru was never sure what happened, but it left her feeling some way about dating, especially online dating and being vulnerable; that was semi-short-lived until a new specimen of a man caught her eye.

I had been watching him for a while but never imagined I could make my dreams a reality. We knew each other but never met because of conflicting schedules because the truth is, we were both fascinated with each other's business sense and could do some great things together. I was attracted to his energy, and he did not treat the others where they needed to speak; he only talked when required, and when he did, it was with purpose. I often asked what he smelled and ate when he woke up each morning, and without a doubt, there was a woman who had the opportunity to lay next to this goddess of a man.

It was not physical, but it was an intellectual attraction. How could I get his attention to notice that we had some things in common? His name was Justice. Two years ago, our paths crossed, and it was a simple exchange. He congratulated me on my new article that had been published. I did not know him but was receptive to him acknowledging my accomplishment. The attention immediately piqued my interest because we had never spoken; he was just someone I saw daily due to social media, but an actual conversation had never occurred. What I did know was that this man was handsome, and he carried himself in such a way that demanded respect. It took nine months from that exchange before we would actually talk on the phone, and even then, I was so nervous.

Hello, beautiful.

Hi, there.

You know you have a nice smile too!

Oh wow, you are pulling out all the stops, huh? I responded playfully.

I am simply speaking the truth. Does that make you uncomfortable?

No, not at all.

The truth was it made me highly uncomfortable. I was not used to compliments from the opposite sex, and when given, I struggled with if they were sincere. I had wanted a conversation to take place and had played it repeatedly in my head many times, but now as it was happening, I could not speak up; instead, I just listened because I was afraid. His energy scared me, but not in a wrong way but in an indescribable way. I craved any attention he was offering, but at the same time, I did not know how to receive it, so I stayed away. When we spoke, he challenged my thoughts because he would not allow me to treat him like everyone else, I could not be vague, and I had to explain all of what I was feeling or thinking fully. That was the attraction that kept me coming back for more. I wanted to tap into his mind, but he was guarded, and I understood why but still, at the same time, I liked what I wanted and wanted what I liked.

What If I told you I was outside your door right now? What would you do?

I don't know.

What do you mean you do not know?

Meaning, I would not know what to say.

Those questions often caught me off guard and made me blush because I wanted to tell him that I would jump into his arms once I opened the door. He would carry me to my plush queen-sized bed to have his way with me while the delicious LitUnity Pineapple Sage candle burned. Alex Isley played softly through my bedroom speakers, but instead, I froze like a deer in headlights, which further confirmed what we both knew- he was so much more experienced than me.

Just answer the question.

What?

That energy made me wonder what could be, but did he even know my address to be at my door? Many scenarios played in my mind, but I wanted more than anything for him to take me in his big strong arms and hold me. I wanted to feel his lips kiss my shoulders and neck and let me fall into a deep sleep, finally feeling at peace.

Nine months for one quick conversation, but I savored it. Justice made me again think of romance and what it could be. I ultimately knew I always wanted love and knew I was worthy of it, but every time I thought I had it, love was somehow taken from me, and I was often left wondering why. Why was I now good enough for a man to love me totally and completely, but more importantly, spark my interest that kept me wanting more?

So many broken hearts and failed relationships discouraged me until Justice entered the picture; he was a breath of fresh air. There was something about his persona, or better yet, that he was so mysterious, yet one of the cool guys. He knew everyone, yet no one seemed to know him.

I only knew him from Instagram and only spoke once on the phone. Still, he always let me know he thought of me by always liking my posts now. Social media likes may seem juvenile, but that heart was enough validation for now, and to me, it meant the world because he could easily have kept scrolling, but instead, he clicked the heart.

The liking of my posts was cute, but it was getting old as well since I desired for him to engage me more, so I began to study him based on his posts and locations, and I learned his schedule and would make myself appear where he was. He was physically in shape and frequented the Strong Jersey Fit Gym from 7-9 am, so I began to go there and started taking a kickboxing class and then jumped from machine to machine, hoping he would see me.

He paid me no mind and barely looked in my direction, but when I posted my gym pictures, he liked them. I could not figure out what was up with my beautiful stranger. Then out of nowhere, it happened.

You look like you need some help.

What makes you think that? I responded real coy.

You have been sitting on this leg curl machine for ten minutes.

Oh, that was because I wasn't sure what weight to set it to. So, he had been watching me, that was good.

He leaned in, and I was able to inhale his deodorant; he touched my thigh and assisted in the leg curls, and after three sets of ten, he offered to spot me as I attempted to lift some weights. From then, he was my unofficial but very official gym partner, and we exchanged small talk from politics and health to even disclosing that when he has sex, he did not ejaculate. He felt he wanted to preserve his life force, and if he was not trying to create life, there was no need because of the things that leave your body that deplete you besides energy and testosterone. Mind you, he had this particular conversation with me over a green juice shake after one of our gym sessions. It was something mysterious yet erotic about him that turned me on.

It was exactly three weeks and five days when he mentioned that he had recently started a vegan lifestyle and invited me to grab lunch at a new spot, Kale Sprouts, that had recently received stellar reviews, and that was my opportunity to make my move. We exited the gym and walked to our cars.

I waited for him to pull off and began to follow him. I was nervous at excited at the same time. What would we discuss over this meal? What if the food was nasty? I had heard of the place from Tisha, who was my veganism, who ate, slept, and breathed vegan food, and she stayed posting pictures on her Instagram, but she also constantly raved about the air-fried tofu with teriyaki jerk glaze was a hit. She also said vegan oxtails were good, so I really could not go by her, but I was in my car riding to this mystery spot, and worst case scenario, I would order a salad or some sweet potato fries.

When we arrived at the restaurant, I felt awkward and clumsy. I tripped on the way through the door, but I played it off like it was a quick changeup of speed. He pulled my chair out for me: no man had ever done that. It's funny how you have something that you claim every man must do for