Cordova stepped between us, and the only thing that calmed me down and kept me from doing exactly what I said was her laughter. The girl was goofy as fuck to begin with, but when tensions rose, she either shrunk or laughed to release the energy.
“Draco, please.” She rubbed my belly, knowing that shit would instantly relax me.
I couldn’t stand when she protected them. It had been a good ten years since I’d beat both of her cousins’ asses, and I wasitchingto do it again. She hated fighting and confrontation, though, so I took a step back.
“Get the fuck outta here, man,” I ordered. “You come back in her room on some bullshit and I’ma lay ya ass out. That’s the only warning you get.”
Like I figured he would, he tucked his tail and left like I said. Cordova shook her head as she closed and locked the door behind him. When I sat on the edge of her bed, I knew she wasn’t all the way there mentally, because she didn’t yap about me having on outside clothes. Instead, she sat next to me and rested her head on my arm. Taking my hand into hers, she kissed it. I didn’t bother trying to think of something to say. Sometimes, all you needed was a person next to you while you went through whatever it was you were going through. And when words failed me, I let my presence do and be what they could not.
A Few Days Later
“Is any of that water actually getting in your mouth?” I asked Him with a laugh.
He’d just finished his morning workout and was drinking from a bottle of water, but it looked like more of the water was going down his chin and neck than into his mouth. It was so animalistic it turned me on, and the last thing I needed to be right now was aroused at the sight of my best friend. I’d called to share some good news with him, not think about how my pussy juices would look on his chin. Hell, I’d never had thoughts like that in my life before. I didn’t know what the hell was going on with me. It seemed like ever since I’d lost Aunt Brenda, I clung to Him more,… and not like we were friends. Like I wanted us to be… more.
Draco wiped his face as he laughed. “Leave me alone, boo. I’m thirsty as fuck.”
“I mean… you just ran ten miles, so I’m sure you are. I’m just trying to figure out where the water is going, because it’s not going in your mouth.”
He laughed again, and since he hardly ever did it, the sound was a sweet symphony, and the sight of his smile was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
“What chu want, Cordova? I’m kind of mad at you because you made me run alone this morning.”
“Well, it was for a good reason!” I promised, wiggling in my seat from excitement. “I didn’t want to say anything about it until I was sure, but I have a meeting with Sugar Baby. She and her family are moving into a second home, and she wants me to decorate it. Her following is huge, pooh. If I get this job, I know it’ll come with more clients.”
Confusion covered his face. “What do you mean if? Ofcourseyou will.”
While I appreciated his belief in me, I also had to be realistic. My mood and inspiration boards were fire, but I didn’t have that much experience. Over the years, I did interior design for a few friends and people that saw my work on social media, butnever consistently. Since Auntie transitioned, I’d been using my grief as inspiration and posting more of my work. Sugar Baby saw a few boards online and reached out to meet with me this morning. I didn’t want to say anything to Him or Lily about it just yet, but I couldn’t contain my excitement anymore. I had to tell Himsomething.
“I hope so! It’ll be the first home I’ve done of this size. She said she and Cash have a ten thousand square feet home, and she’ll want every room designed and decorated by me. Do you know how big this is? I’m so excited, but I’m also trying not to get too excited until we meet.”
His head shook and mouth twisted to the side. “Nah. Be excited now. Claim that shit. It’s already yours. Congratulations in advance. We’ll have to celebrate, boo. What you wanna do?”
“Hmm… You know I’m simple. All I need is you and some good food. Oh! Maybe we can go to Rose Valley Hills before it gets too cold. I’d love to spend a little time on the beach.”
“Bet, say less. I’ll plan some shit. Call me after your meeting and let me know how it goes.”
“I will.”
“Who do you love?”
A smile instantly lifted the corners of my mouth as he started the routine we’d been doing for years. “You.”
“Who loves you?”
“You.”
“That heart my heart?”
“Forever and always. I love you, Him.”
“I love you too, Dova.”
We ended the call, and I finished getting ready with the biggest smile on my face. This opportunity meant a lot to me. It would give me something to focus on beyond my grief. By the time I finished getting dressed, I made my way outside, ready to conquer my day. The alert that all four of my tires were lowconfused me. I got out and looked at them, and sure enough, they were flat. Worse, they’d been slashed.
With a groan, I paced around my car. I was pretty sure one of my cousins had done this before they left yesterday because I told them I wanted to keep the house. I couldn’t even worry about that right now. There was no way I could be late for this meeting with Sugar Baby. She didn’t live in Memphis permanently, so the fact that she’d come here to meet me said a lot. I figured she’d just want to meet virtually while she was in Rose Valley Hills, but she wanted us to talk in person.
I called Him back just to let him know I’d be Ubering because he was so protective that he’d want to stalk my location.
