“You doing all that smiling. You better not let me hear you call me The Grinch again.”
“I make no promises.” Casey twisted her body from side to side. “Before we get off track”—Casey pulled an envelope from behind her back—“This is for you.”
My brows collided on the ends. “I told you?—”
“I know you didn’t want a gift, but a kind man should be flooded with kindness. Merry Christmas, boss man.”
My smiling heart went still when the bell above the front door went off. All the joy inflating my chest oozed through my nose in a long drag. As good as the brickhouse looked in knee-high boots and an olive-green trench, her presence soured my mood.
“Melli, what are you doing here? Did we have something on the calendar?”
“No, but I wanted to see you. I missed you. It looks like I showed up right on time for the gift exchange.”
Casey sucked her teeth. “This bitch is delusional.”
The half-dressed woman moved to respond, but I cleared my throat, trapping her attention.
“Melli, come with me to my office,” I demanded, already heading to the back of the shop.
As soon as the door shut, she dropped her coat to the floor. Any other time, my dick would be rock hard seeing her in lingerie, but her chosen outfit was bizarre.
“You can’t be serious,” I grumbled. “Are you wearing the same Mrs. Claus costume Essen had on at Nightstand?”
She peered down like she didn’t know what she draped over her body. “I know you aren’t complaining. The last time I saw you, you were salivating over this bullshit. Why are you acting brand new now?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and chuckled away my annoyance.
“What is it, baby?” She whined and rubbed her palms down my work uniform. “I’m sorry if I came on strong when we spoke about Christmas. I’m willing to play my position and go with your flow.”
The stench of desperation sailed from her light skin. I wanted to feel sorry for her, but she didn’t respect herself. NothingIsaid would change that.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m going to pass on the pussy, Melli. Our time together was straight, but it’s a wrap.”
Her shoulders lost their strength. “You can’t be serious.”
“Dead ass. I asked for one thing for Christmas, and if I slide my dick into you, I lose it as fast as I got it.”
“I know you aren’t talking about a bitch.Thatbitch.”
“I’m talking about my woman.” I corrected the ignorant lady.
“What the fuck?” She grimaced, closing her jacket. “We’ve been sleeping together for over a year, and once you chose to commit, you do it to the next bitch?”
No matter how much I wanted to defend myself, I recognized the shit sounded horrible. Unsure of how to ease her mind, I leaned against the desk until Melli stormed out the room.
“Fuck!” I forced out in a breathless tone. It was ironic how little I cared about Melli watching me get off to Essen, and now, I hoped her pain didn’t turn into revenge.
When my phone lit up, I snatched it from my desk. I figured it was the angry lady texting me some disrespectful shit she knew not to say in my face, but my lips spread into a smile seeing Essen’s name. Her message was only a picture of small bottlesof perfume and cologne and what looked like snowflake shaped electronics.
What’s all that?
Pretty Girl:Giveaway goodies for the party. Pick them up on your way home, please.
Thoughts of laying up with her, sipping cocoa, and smoking a blunt sounded much better than working on cars, but knowing I wouldn’t be on duty for the next few days encouraged me to get off the phone. It took me four hours to wrap up the day then get to Essen’s spot, but by the time I arrived, her front door was open.
“Essen, why the hell do you have the front door unlocked?”
“I knew you were coming. I didn’t want to keep you waiting.”
