“What’s so funny?”
“Sorry,” Rochelle said, still laughing. “It just sounds like Money was sticking up for you.”
“I could’ve handled Amir on my own!”
“Jas, Amir should’ve gotten slapped for taking you to a hookah lounge,” Monica said, pouring our drinks. “I been asking you to go since I met you, and you always tell me no. You should be grateful—Money saved you from a wack night and probably some wack dick.”
“The date was fineuntilthe hookah lounge. But that brings me back to the question—how the hell did he find me?”
“Maybe it was a coincidence?” Rochelle offered with a half-shrug.
I shook my head. “No way. That man walked in like he knew exactly where I’d be.”
“Maybe he’s having you followed,” Monica joked.
Sadly, that wasn’t even far-fetched—Cash already knew where I lived without me telling him.
“Ugh. He’s so annoying. I told him I had a date today just to fuck with him, and when I walked out, this fool was parked out front waiting for me.”
“Did you tell him it was a joke?” Monica asked.
“You know I did! Then he called Jelani to see if you were with him.” I downed my mimosa and immediately refilled my glass. “And speaking of Jelani…”
“Oh, yes!” Rochelle exclaimed, turning to Monica. “What’s going on with y’all?”
Monica’s cheeks flushed as she tried to hide her smile behind her glass.
“Aww, shit. Mo’, this man got you blushing?" I teased. “I thought you were going to let him trick off on you and keep it light.”
“I swear I was,” Monica sighed dreamily. “But we’ve been spending a lot of time together. He stays over a lot… been on a few really nice dates. He wants to take me to Miami next month.” She traced the rim of her glass with her finger, staring off into space with stars in her eyes.
“Girl, you are gone,” Rochelle laughed. “Jas, if you don’t want Money, let me know. I’m trying to see if big bro got that same kind of energy.”
She was clearly joking, but it still rubbed me the wrong way.
“He says we’re going on a date tonight,” I admitted, rolling my eyes.
“But I thought youhatedhim,” Monica said, throwing my words back at me.
“Ever since that man got shot and rolled into the ER, it’s been nothing but chaos every time I see him. Plus, he’s into illegal shit—I’m too grown for all that.”
“Jasmine, that man’s money is long,” Rochelle said, leaning back in her chair. “You’re not from here, so you don’t really know how deep this shit goes. But this ain’t no local street king type shit. Cash took whatever his pops left him and quadrupled it. The cops don’t bother him because he keeps the other crews in check. He’s got politicians on his payroll?—”
“Allegedly,” Monica cut in, smirking.
“Allegedly, allegedly,” Rochelle echoed with a wave. “But real talk? He invests in the community without shaking people down too hard. The Banks family is easily worth a few hundred million.”
“I bet he’s gonna take you somewhere fancy,” Monica added with a nudge.
“You gotta do it for the plot,” Rochelle said, raising her glass. It’s drier than the Sahara Desert over here, so I’m living vicariously through you. I want a full report.”
* * *
I walked through my building's lobby later that afternoon, thankful to escape the heat and into some AC.
“Ms. Miller!” Rayna, the concierge on duty, called out.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked, heading toward her desk.
