“Hello.” Her sweet voice flowed through my receiver once the call connected. “TJ?”
“Hey, baby.” I smiled as I locked up my house. Lisa had a taste for seafood, so we were going to head over to Prime and Platter. The irony of it had me shaking my head since that was the place I left Blossom to eat alone not too long ago. “How’s your little event?”
My girl was the truth when it came to selling houses, but I hated it at times. With her making as much money as she did, I often felt as if I wasn’t good enough for her. I knew she was a virgin, but a nigga with a bigger bank account can make a bitchdo anything. There were men whom she came in contact with daily, all who had way more than me, and I worried, that any day now, one of them would take her away.
“You would know if you came with me.” I could tell she was rolling her eyes. Her background was a little noisy, so I knew she was around people and not in her suite. “How’s work? I’m pissed you weren’t able to see me yesterday before I left.”
I had told my girl I had to work last night, but the truth was that I was in Willow Springs robbing Jay’s stash house with her brother. When we left there, we made the entire five-hour drive back to Milly Grove with only one stop in between. We went to Row’s to evenly disperse the money and drugs because I didn’t trust either of them to hold onto all of it. Chris and Rowan split the product while we divided the sixty grand three ways. What they did with the dope had nothing to do with me.
“Work is work, baby.” I grinned, gripping Lisa’s thigh, causing her to blush from the passenger side of my car. “I’m hoping that we can get caught up soon so we can go on vacation. I want nothing more than to take you out of the country and see that body in a bikini.”
When Blossom and I first got together, she informed me she was a virgin, but I thought she was lying to see how into her I was. But here we were, a year later, and all I’d gotten to do was kiss the pussy.
“If you want that to happen, it will,” she spoke to me in the most unenthusiastic tone I’d heard in a while. “Listen, I have to head to a dinner meeting so?—”
“Who are you going to dinner with this late, Blossom?” I frowned as I pulled into the lot of the restaurant. I cursed at how packed it looked and could only hope we could get a seat. “It better not be with a nigga.”
“Enjoy your shift, TJ, and be safe. I’ll text you before I go to sleep.”
Disconnecting the call, I threw the car in park, pinching the bridge of my nose. Blossom didn’t make shit easy for me at times, and if I didn’t love her, I would have left her ass a long time ago.
“I keep telling you, baby…” Lisa placed her hand on my knee before slowly creeping it up my thigh. “If you just stay with me?—”
“Come on and let’s eat before I change my mind,” I said, cutting her off before exiting my car. “Say one more thing about my girl, and I promise you, I will make your ass walk back to the hood.”
Pouting like always, she looped her arm in mine as I led us into the seafood spot. I moved so freely with Lisa because, although Blossom and I were engaged, we didn’t make many appearances together. Not to mention, her parents were campaigning out of town, and her best friend was at the seminar with her. Rowan was probably so high right now that he didn’t even know his own name.
Surprisingly, the hostess seated us fairly quickly, even though the restaurant was crowded. I was now irritated from the call with Blossom, so the sooner we were seated and eating, the sooner I could take my ass back home. Once we’d gotten our drinks from the waitress, I took the time to eye the patrons in attendance. The place was pretty upscale and housed a live band. Anytime one of the girls and I came here, the vibe was always nice. Right as I was about to respond to a question Lisa had asked, someone at the bar caught my attention.
“I think I see someone I know.” I took another sip of my drink before wiping my mouth to stand. “I will be right back.”
Without giving her time to respond, I was already on my feet and making my way through the crowd. Wiping my hands down my shirt to free any wrinkles, I made my way to the bar and posted beside the ladies.
“Bartender, can I get a double shot of Hennessy and whatever these pretty ladies are having?”
Pausing their conversation, I grinned as Breonna McKnight locked eyes with me. I’d seen many pictures of her over the years, and I admit, the woman was gorgeous. The numerous photos of her and my father together from the past didn’t do her justice. The pink dress she wore didn’t stand a chance against her thick frame, but it paired well with her chocolate skin. I could see how my father easily fell in love with her.
“Thank you, but my husband doesn’t play about random men buying me drinks.” She sipped from her glass as she squinted before frowning at me. “Do I know you?”
“Actually, no.” I grinned as I leaned toward her, extending my hand for her to shake. “I’m TJ.”
“TJ…” She eyed me once more before shrugging, not bothering to shake my hand. “If you want to impress the ladies, make sure your hygiene is up to par, love. I know this is a seafood spot, but I’m sure nothing on their menu will have your breath smelling like wild trout. Enjoy your night.”
She turned her back to me dismissively, not waiting for me to respond. I mugged her as those around us chuckled. I wanted nothing more than to show my ass in here, but being an officer of the law, I had to tread lightly. Instead, I got my drink and headed back to the booth where Lisa fumed.
“Were you seriously hitting on another woman while I’m sitting here?” She scoffed as she looked from me to Breonna. “Who is she?”
“Someone who will regret disrespecting me.”
I threw my shot of liquor back. Dragging my eyes back to Breonna, I watched as she and her friend threw their heads back and cackled before gathering their things to leave. My blood boiled at the thought of them laughing at me.
“I’m going to make sure they all regret it.”
Pullingup to the curb of my favorite coffee shop, I was happy to see the streets were empty. It was a little before seven, which meant if I wasn’t in and out, I would be caught in the mix of customers hustling to get to work. One thing that I hated was chaos, so I was always trying to avoid it at all costs.
“Good morning, Dr. McKnight,” the barista, Scotlyn, greeted me as soon as I entered. Her cheerful tone was just as loud as the banana nut muffins that smacked me in the face as soon as I walked in. “How are you doing this morning?”
“How many times do I gotta tell you to call me JJ?” I arched my brow at her as I approached the counter. Looking into the glass display, my mouth watered at the variety of pastries. “Whomade this shit? I hope not Mr. Larry because that nigga looks like he doesn’t wash his hands.”
