“You don’t think I’m domestic?”
“Hell no.”
“I cook!” he protested.
“Hewillcook from time to time,” Cindy confirmed.
“Oh, OK. I’ll take her word for it.”
“Don’t get your hopes up for my gourmet cooking today though. I didn’t cook, but I ordered the hell out of that takeout,” he said before turning and walking deeper into the house.
“Boy, bye.”
Nicholas had barely made it out of the room when Amira’s mother spoke up.
“So, you’re the one trying to get your hooks in Nicholas now? I just want you to know he can smell a gold digger a thousand miles away, honey.”
“Is that how he sniffed you out?” I quizzed.
“Feisty, aren’t we? I see why he’s got you around, but you’re not even his type.”
“I don’t know what you think this is, but if you think you’re intimidating me with that mean girl act, you’re wasting your time. I’m a grown ass woman. High school tactics don’t work on me.”
“Say what you want, but I’m already a permanent fixture in Nicholas’s life. Me and Amira aren’t going anywhere. You’re only temporary, baby. You’re not doing anything special. He likes toplay around a little bit, but he always comes home. He takes good care of me and our little girl and makes sure I don’t have a want or need in the world. If you’re thinking you’re coming around here changing shit and staking claim, you have another thing coming. He’s just playing with you right now because you’re shiny and new. Everything gets old eventually.”
“Sounds like you did.”
“Keep cracking jokes, but the joke is going to be on you. Nicholas will never get enough of this pussy, and he will never ever leave me alone.”
“Girl, fuck you. You know, I was going to reassure you and let you know that I didn’t plan on imposing or interfering in your life with Nicholas, but now I see that you’re a bigger fool than you look like. I’m not going back and forth with you for a man who’s been chasing me from the start. Don’t worry about me trying to outfuck you, because I’m not into games. I’m not in the business of competing.”
“What’s going on?” Nicholas’s voice boomed from somewhere in the room, shifting the atmosphere.
Cindy’s posture instantly stiffened as if she had been caught acting up in class by the principal himself. She cleared her throat as she turned to face him. I didn’t need anyone to speak for me.
“Nothing at all. I’m actually not hungry though. I’m gonna head out,” I told him as I made my way to the door.
Nicholas took long strides crossing the room to stop me before I made it. He grabbed me by my waist, pulling my body against him as he placed soft kisses on my neck. Disarmed by how good he smelled, I allowed him to hold me. I hated that fucking cologne. When I found the bottle, I was going to throw it away.
“Don’t leave, Jameela. I invited you here. I apologize for trying to think we could all get along. I’m going to send her home.”
“You don’t have to do that, Nicholas. I’m going home.”
“You’re not going anywhere, Jameela. We have plans. Give me one second, habibti.”
“Nicholas—”
“One second, Jameela,” he said as he backed off and walked away.
“Don’t bother, Nicholas. I hope you and your flavor of the day have a nice night. My ride is already outside. Call me when you’re ready to eat this pussy again!” Lucinda shouted as she stormed out of the house.
12
Nicholas
By the time I made it to the door, Cindy was getting in a car. As long as she was gone, I would handle her later. My priorities were in check.
“Habibti, I apologize for her behavior, but I really thought that it was best that you meet her now. I knew she was probably going to act a fool. I needed you to see how she is up front.”
