“Anytime,” he replied. If he didn’t value money, then how could she measure his affection for her? If gifting a car was no big deal, what gesture would signify a grand gesture? She decided to take his advice and not dwell on it. For now, this was a major resolution to a big problem, and she was appreciative.
An hour later, they were walking out, and Day had arranged for her car to be delivered to her place because he needed more of her time.
He escorted her to the back of the awaiting SUV. As they pulled away from the dealership, Day stared out the window.
“Thank you for covering for me the other night,” he said.
“Of course. I’m really sorry about DJ,” she said.
“Yeah, it’s fucked up,” he answered, voice drenched in a sudden sorrow that seemed to spread over the entire car. “I forgot about it for a minute when I saw you.”
It was the strangest and most flattering compliment she had ever received.
“Have you eaten?” she asked.
“Damn, honestly, I don’t even remember the last time I ate. I ain’t even hungry for real. I just been on go, trying to make sure bro good.”
“And is he?” she asked.
“Nah,” Day responded vaguely. “Shit is all bad. Lauren can’t even plan the funeral.”
“How about we get you fed, then we start doing some of the things Demi and Lauren can’t handle? I can take care of the planning part if they need help.”
“You’d do that? I mean, I know y’all ain’t got the best history with her firing you and all,” he said.
Stassi scoffed. “I would hope that somebody would step up for me if I ever lost someone I loved so tragically. It’s not about the past. I just want to help.”
Day turned back to the cityscape as it passed by his window.
“This conversation didn’t help me, Anastassia,” he said.
“Why not?” she asked, confused.
Day leaned over and whispered in her ear so that his driver wouldn’t overhear.
“Cuz a nigga really, really want to lay his head between your thighs now,” he said.
The way Stassi felt her pussy jump, shit, she wanted to let him.
She blushed and shook her head. “Boy, go to your side of the car.” She may have been dismissive aloud, but she lusted after him in her head. She hadn’t forgotten the ways he had made her body sing. She hoped to get back to that place with him one day, where she felt comfortable enough to be the girl in his bed, but first, she had to be sure she was the girl who was in his heart. If she didn’t occupy both spaces, she couldn’t risk it. It would only lead to toxic attachment and disappointment. She had learned to lower her expectations with Day and to make her boundaries higher. Did she want him around? Yes. Did she need him around? No. So, if he was going to be around, it would be in a capacity that she knew she could handle. They were going to take this thing slow or not at all.
“Not that far,” she said, closing the distance between them. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he placed one hand on her thigh as they rode in silence.
“You’re starting something, Day,” she whispered.
“Seems like it,” he replied.
Chapter 7
Nyair stood over DJ solemnly. He wished this outcome had never come to be.
“I’m sorry, man,” he whispered as he bent down to kiss the child’s forehead. He had come to bless the body and to check on the arrangements. He removed the small vial of holy oil he brought with him and touched his finger to the top. He left a dot of the oil on DJ’s forehead, before bowing his head in silent prayer. This was a grave tragedy of epic proportions. He didn’t suspect that Lauren would need financial assistance, but he still felt obligated to reach out to make sure things were handled. He hadn’t even spoken to her, but this visit to see DJ was necessary. Since the body was being prepared by the funeral home Messiah owned, it was easy to gain access without disrupting Lauren.
“You got some investment here, or is this a church visit?” Messiah asked.
“I wish I knew,” Nyair responded. The two men weren’t particularly fond of each other, but they shared a common thread. “I appreciate you letting me in.”
“Mmm hmm,” Messiah responded. “The mortician needs to know what to do. Whether they’re cremating or moving forward with a burial. If you can get word back soon, it’ll be appreciated.”
