“Negro, please. I didn’t lie. Mia already caught me at the door with demands.”
“They couldn’t go with you if they wanted to,” he replied. “Tonight, I’m taking them and Blue to sing with the carolers in the neighborhood.”
The excitement on Stevie’s face let me know this was news to her. On her tippy toes, she reached up to pull him down for a kiss, yet he swept her off her feet. They had been together for four years, but anyone who met them would believe their union was at least a decade old. A tricky situation led to Stevie and her daughter, Mia, moving in with Shiloh after knowing each other for a short time. He had two girls himself, however love led them to create two kids together. The thought of having five kids made my head spin, but Shiloh and Stevie made it look easy.
I gave everyone a hug goodbye then started toward the door, but the sensation of my phone going off in my purse paused my steps.
“Hmm. Hello?”
“Damn. You answering the phone like you don’t have my number stored,” the caller replied. “A week ago, you were blowing up my line.”
A grin caught my lips. “See, and that’s why you can’t ask a man for anything.”
“You can ask me for just about anything. You sit on the throne, baby,” Loso teased, his voice calmer than before. “How is your day going?”
“It’s . . . going. I had plans that fell through, but I’ll live. Now, what can I do for you? I know you aren’t calling to check on me.”
“Is that something you would like me to start doing?”
I snickered as I aimlessly roamed to the living room. Just like on the surface of the house, the inside was decorated with gold, green, and white adornments.
“Loso, I swear, you would flirt with a flea. Get to the point.”
“All right. Remember the favor you mentioned?”
My brows rose in a slow arch. “Do you mean the favor you said you wouldn’t cash in on? Yeah. I recall.”
I heard him laugh before saying, “Well, I lied.”
The yearning in his tone probably wasn’t intentional, but it persuaded me to find a seat.
“What do you need?” I asked after a spell of stillness.
“You,” he replied. “I need you to help with my parent’s party. Their anniversary is the same weekend as Christmas, and the bitch they hired had to back out. I started to cash in my favor and ask you to beat her ass, but I figured you helping with the party would be more beneficial.”
“Oh, well I’m happy you used your big head for once.”
“Both of my heads big, baby,” he boasted. “When can we meet up?”
“Time is money,baby. A consultation isn’t free. Since we’re family, you can treat me to dinner.Pauline’sjust released their seasonal menu. I’ve been dying to taste their cinnamon pasta. I know it sounds crazy, but don’t knock it until you try it.”
Light strains of his amusement filled the line. “You on your own with that one. I don’t just put anything in my mouth.”
“Ha! I’ve seen the material you keep on your arm. I beg to differ.”
Chapter 2
Loso
Sweat ran down my face as I slid from beneath the SUV on a creeper. I had been under the truck for longer than I should have, but I would rather pass out than provide lackluster service. There were a lot of lessons my father tried to instill in me that didn’t land, but I took heed to his advice about having a strong work ethic.
“Loso! Ms. Jones is upfront.”
Casey’s squeaky voice soared from the lobby to where I worked in the garage. I pulled my body off the metal then went up front to where I found my customer waiting with perky nipples and all thirty-two teeth on display.
“Hey.” She greeted me with a light tone. “Is my baby ready?”
“I need a few minutes to wrap things up, then you’re good to go.” I stepped to the side and motioned for Ms. Jones to walk ahead of me.
