Sadly, Irish shook her head. “No, not with him.”
“Wow. That’s interesting but okay.” She cleared her throat and faced her. “There something on my mind that I want to tell you.”
“What is it? Please don't tell me you're p—”
“No, I’m not pregnant.” Ivory rolled her brown eyes. “Geez, do you think I’m a hoe or something?”
Irish held her hand up. “I apologize. You're not a hoe and I shouldn’t have assumed that.”
“Thank you,” she sassed. “Anyways. I think I’m going to transfer schools and attend St. Parklynn University in the spring. I think taking a semester off will do me some good.”
“Why? I thought you loved Miami.”
“I do but I don't know.” She shrugged, looking down at her rhinestone nails. “I feel like you're going to need me right now.”
“Oh, Ivory, please don't consider me.”
“Why not? You’ve always taken care of me. I should do the same.”
Vehemently, Irish shook her head. There was no way she could allow Ivory to put her plans on hold because of the state of her life. The cycle had to be broken. Daisy had done that very thing and taken advantage of Irish. Her life had to be stalled because she had her little sister to raise. Irish had done everything to ensure that Ivory was a free nineteen-year-old without any responsibilities except getting good grades.
“Listen, I appreciate you for thinking of me, but I got this. You don't need to transfer schools because of me. Live your life.”
“I already did it.” She faced the window. “I’m not going back to Miami.”
“Ivory, please don't do this. I don't need you to be here for me. I swear.”
“Yeah, well, just in case something happens, know that I’ll be around. And no, I’m not changing my mind. It’s already done.
Irish grumbled under her breath before shaking her head. She loved that Ivory was away from their environment and in Miami. Now she would be back in the fold where things were inevitably about to get ugly. The big sister in Irish wanted to shield her from that.
“So, what’s the plan since you're not staying with Noble?” She changed the subject.
“I’m going to look for a place. He offered me this condo, but I want something of my own. Just for me until we figure this thing out.”
Ivory bobbed her head. “I respect that.”
“Yeah, I bet you do, Miss Independent.” Irish gazed at her before poking her bottom lip out. “Please stop growing up on me.”
Smirking, Ivory joked, “I thought you couldn’t wait for me to see how the real world is?”
“Listen, I didn’t mean any of it. I want my lil’ baby back.” She wrapped her arms around Ivory’s neck and kissed her, repeatedly.
“Ew, get off of me. You probably had that man’s meat in your mouth.”
“Oh, girl, I drained the shit outta him,” Irish joked.
Ivory covered her ears while Irish laughed. “Okay, I’m just playing. How about we sit and make a new plan so you can graduate on time?”
“We can do that but first, give me a tour of this place.”
“Come on, nosy.”
Ever since Noble touched down on St. Parklynn soil, he had been busy. His first stop was to see Kenji, his second was the logistic company where he had a meeting with Lyra and Kaliste. Now, he entered the coffee shop, skating his gaze over the busy interior. Spotting his target, he walked toward the back where Danira blew softly over a hot cappuccino. As soon as their eyes met, she rolled hers, making Noble chortle as he took a seat across from her.
“Don't do me like that, Nira,” he joked.
“Oh, please.” She scoffed. “You really blew me off and now days later, you're trying to right your wrongs. I really should've ignored your call.”
