“Yeah, but I don’t have any more big cases, only a few small ones, so I should have more free time.”
“What happened with the Aldana case?” His phone rang, stopping me from answering. He picked it up and sighed, seeing Ashton Pryor’sname on his screen. “I’m sorry, love. I have to take this.”
“No, go ahead. I’ll be here, waiting.”
He kissed me and left the table. I was glad about the interruption, but I was also upset that he even had his ringer on at all. I picked up my glass and finished off my wine. I was trying to be patient with Liam. He was the man my parents were happy I chose instead of Emery. They didn’t know what he did for a living until our senior year. Still, Emery’s aura always exuded gangster vibes, and my parents always said he was doing something other than owning laundromats, car washes, and restaurants.
I hated to admit they were right. I was heartbroken when I told Emery it was over. I could see the hurt and pain in his eyes, and that made me feel even worse.
Meeting Liam in law school was a distraction from my missing Emery. He was cute, loving, attentive, and gave me just enough spice in the bedroom. While he was pursuing criminal justice, I was becoming who I am now. But Liamended up leaving law school and working for his father’s home-improvement business. We still saw each other every day, and once I passed the bar, he took me to the Bahamas for a week. It wasn’t until recently, when he started working as a private investigator, that our time together changed drastically. Now, I only saw him on weekends and sporadically throughout the week.
I didn’t like it, but Ashton’s PI firm was in high demand, and Liam was his top PI, so he was called away often.
I twirled my pasta around my fork, and just when I was about to take a bite, a huge presence loomed over me.
“Is this seat taken?” I looked up to see Emery standing next to me, looking like he would make a bitch give him all her tax money and deliver good dick.
“Emery. W-what are you doing here?” I stuttered.
He smirked. “I can’t eat here?”
“Of course you can, but somehow, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that you’re here on the same night as I am.”
“Why is it hard to believe?LaBella’sis a popular place in Livingston County.” It was, but I still think it wasn’t a coincidence that he’d be here. “How are you?” he asked.
“I’m well. And I’m also here with my boyfriend. It was good to see you, Emery.”
“Why do I feel like you’re dismissing me?”
“Because I am. We can’t be seen together, Emery. As much as I’d love to catch up on old times, it can’t happen.”
“I’m not the one you’re defending, Yummy.” My eyes closed, and my thighs tightened at the mention ofthatnickname.
Get him away from you, Yumi.
“Again, it was good seeing you.” I lifted the bottle of wine, and Emery took it from my hand, sat across from me, and poured some in my glass and the empty one that Liam hadn’t used.
My heart rate increased as my eyes darted around the restaurant, looking for Liam, then back at Emery in shock.
“What are you doing? You need to leave!” I said through tight lips.
“Chill, mama. I mean no disrespect toyou, but there’s no way I can ignore the first girl who stole my heart. It’s been so long since I talked to you, and now that I see your face, I’m trying to see it all the time.”
“Emery, we can’t do this.”
“Look, when ya nigga return, tell him I’m your client, and I needed to speak with you about an important matter.”
“I’m not a liar.”
He chuckled. “You are, Yumi. And the best part about it is that you get paid to do it.” I tried not to let my smile break through. He was right, but I was still nervous about him sitting here and looking this damn good while I silently begged my vagina to behave.
“Hey, baby. Who is this?” My body tensed as I looked at Liam sliding in beside me.
“Walter Lakes. I’m her client. I’m sorry to intrude, but I needed to talk to her about something important,” Emery said, holding out his hand to Liam.
No, this man did not use that ugly ass fake name.
Liam took it. “Liam McCoy. Pleasure to meet you.” Emery didn’t reply, only nodded to him.
