I chuckle.
Me
As if I have the time for that.
Turning the corner for the street she’s on, I scan each parked car. Blue, red, black…there.Her white Honda snags my attention. I stop on the sidewalk with my phone in hand and wait for her to respond, my fingertips tingling with excitement.
Reese
You have time to pester me, so surely you have time to Uber.
Pester. Flirting. I see how she can get the two mixed up.
Just to push her buttons a little more, I go back and re-edit my tip again. This time, I triple it.
She messages me within seconds.
Reese
I’m not a prostitute! Stop sending me hefty amounts of money!
Me
Fine.
I put my phone away and head directly for her with a teasing smirk locked away until I’m on the passenger side of her car.
Five
REESE
He’s insane.
Not in the way that Benedict is, but insane, nonetheless.
I stare at my earnings from his last ride. I wasn’t even aware a rider could get back into the app and adjust their past tips, but apparently you can.
Did he google that? Does he adjust his Uber tips often?
I switch back to his message with my heart beating too fast. I’m not a woman who gets impressed by a hefty bank account. I’ve been there, done that.
However…if Malaki is going to tip me this well for a ride, I’m not sure I can say no. I may be independent, but I’m not stupid. The more money I have in my bank account, the more prepared I’ll be for Benedict’s lingering ultimatum in the back of my mind.
If he is serious about taking me to court for custody, I’ll need a lawyer—a good one.
Part of me wants to believe it’s an empty threat, but the second I think Benedict has moved on and is going to leave me be, he materializes out of thin air.
Another message comes through.
Malaki
Are you ready to go?
My cheeks fill with air, and I squeeze my eyes shut.
I don’t know how long I argue with myself over whether or not to take the bait, but suddenly, there’s a tapping on my window, and I spring my eyes open. A bloodcurdling scream erupts from my mouth at the same time my phone flies out of my hand, landing in the backseat.
Through the passenger window, I see Malaki’s flirty grin staring back at me. My fear switches to annoyance in an instant.
