“She does, huh?” I looked into the bag. “She’s Allur’s cousin so she’ll be around a lot until she goes back home.”
“What about Novi?” JV asked as he came from the back.
“She just brought Kaleo some breakfast.”
JV lifted an eyebrow. “Y’all cool like that after one night?”
“We a’ight.” I started to pull containers out the bag. “Why?”
“Just asking.” He shrugged, tossed a towel on his chair and walked over. He leaned against my work station and crossed his arms. He lowered his voice. “Allur has you on camera slamming Novi’s ex.” He chuckled but didn’t give me a chance to respond.“Look, Novi is cool people and I know you have a savior complex and love to run into flames to help women and shit, but don’t play with that woman. Tell her what it is and what it ain’t and don’t leave room for confusion.”
“You’re making a lot of demands about someone I just met for the first time last night.”
“Nigga, because you’re intense and she’s vulnerable. That’s a bad combo.”
“I’m intense?” I asked.
“Kaleo, you fall in love in two business days. If a woman breathes on you the right way, you’re in love.”
“I think Novi is beautiful and sweet, but I knocked that nigga upside the head because he was acting aggressive, not because I’m in love with her.”
“Yeah, alright.”
“Yeah, alright,” I echoed.
JV exhaled. “You’re my boy and I care about you. I just wanted to put it on your radar that you have attachment issues.”
“Cool. Anything else Dr.?”
“Nope.” JV pushed off of my station. “That’s it.”
“Thanks.” I nodded once and watched him walk to his spot before I looked down at the breakfast Novi had made.
It was some chocolate waffles, eggs, sausage and grits. I licked my lips just looking at it. I popped the top off and immediately took a bite of a waffle.
“Aye, JV!” I grabbed his attention. “Text Allur and ask her if I can have Novi’s number.” I smirked. “So I could thank her for the food, you know?”
“You’re full of shit,” JV waved me off.
It was only a few seconds before he grabbed his phone and sent the text. I got a fork and collapsed in my own chair to eat. I was shocked at how good it was. I knocked the food in no time,drank a bottle of water and locked in just in time for my first two customers.
It was a busier day than I’d expected and I didn’t get a chance to check my phone until damn near lunch time. I tapped on JV’s text immediately.
JV: Here. Thirty ass nigga.
He’d attached Novi’s contact. I saved it immediately.
“What’s up?” Rob announced himself as he walked into the shop, holding a few different bags.
“What’s up?” I dapped Rob up.
“I got some sandwiches and shit from that lil shop down the street.”
“Good looking out.” I took the bag he offered me. “What are you doing on this end anyway?”
“I met up with pops earlier and this is what he wanted so I figured I’d get y’all something to since when I drove by it looked like y’all were packed in here.”
“Yeah. We’ve been pretty busy,” I acknowledged.
