“I’m going to go downstairs and get all these damn dead flowers thrown out while you get yourself together. Everything is on me today, even our favorite sushi.” Casi squeezed my hand before leaving alone.
I got up and turned on a tub to run me a warm bath. While that was running, I brushed my teeth and applied my skincare products. I didn’t look like myself, and usually, making money always made me feel better. Hell, Killen didn’t even have me down bad like this. I cried a little and moved the fuck on. That was because of Jah. He stepped in my life when I was about to spiral, and now that he had cut me off, my life felt like shit.
Almost two hours later, I had walked downstairs to see Casi had straightened up the house for me, and there were no signs of flowers from Jah. Since he cut me off, I wish the flowers would stop. It was only a reminder of him. Casi looked me over andsmiled at me. I threw on a pair of jeans, a cute tee that I had tucked to show my belly, and a ball cap until I was able to get my hair done.
“Okay, friend,” Casi gassed me up. “Fuck these niggas. Let’s go.”
I was enjoying my time with Casi, and it did feel good to get out of the house. The whole time we were out, I was praying we didn’t run into Kileen or Jah. My luck wasn’t good because Jah came walking his fine ass right in the damn sushi spot. The same damn spot I had told him about when we first started messing around. I clearly told him we would come here because the chances of us running into someone we knew were slim.
“Shit,” I said, making Casi put her drink down.
“Girl, he’s walking his ass over here.” Casi nudged me.
“Hey, ladies,” Jah greeted.
“Hey,” Casi said dryly.
I didn’t say shit. The last conversation we had, he was done with me. I wasn’t in the mood to be friendly to anyone but Casi at the moment.
“Tatiyonna, you good?”
I could smell that cologne he wore that would make me moist and stay stuck in my clothes.
“I’m great,” I said without looking up at him.
“Let me give y’all a moment.” Casi excused herself from the table.
Jah took Casi’s seat, and I still hadn’t looked at his.
“This is what we’re on, now? Not looking at each other and shit.”
“Jah, what the fuck do you want? Why are you at my favorite place that you know was exclusive for me and my bestie?”
“I’ve been riding by this bitch for a month straight, and today was my lucky day.”
“Riding by for what exactly? Last we talked, you put me out, and we haven’t talked since. So, please tell me why you’ve been riding by here when you have my number.”
“Oh, this number,” he pulled his phone out, dialed my number, and it went straight to voicemail. He even went to tapping at his phone and then flipped it around showing the text messages.
“Yes, I blocked you. Don’t you think that’s best for both of us? We had what we had and it’s over.”
“I know you’re not used to a muthafuckin’ trying with you, but I was upset, and instead of arguing, I needed to process what the fuck you had done.”
“Jah, please quit with the bull. You had a wall up with me, and instead of trusting me, you love bomb me, fucked me good, and then disappeared whenever your heart was getting too deep. And I’m sorry, but at this point in my life, I can’t deal with inconsistency.”
“Okay, so if you had met me while I was married to another woman, you would’ve been all in? Look me in my eyes and tell me the truth.”
“First, I would never mess with a married man. So, I can’t give you an answer, Jah.”
“I miss you calling my name,” he said.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“Unblock me, Tatiyonna. We have unfinished business to talk about.”
“Jah, I’m sorry, but I can’t. It’s been a month and I’ll be getting back with my husband.”
Jah leaned back in the chair and laughed before running his hands over his waves. The silence that fell between us was short-lived before he stood up.
