“Likewise, Rule.” She sipped.
“Who you here with?” He licked his lips, not hiding his attraction for her.
Sitting her glass down, she answered, “I’m actually meeting someone from work. I’m not sure if she’s here yet.”
He nodded, studying her like she was a test for his final grade.
“Where your man at?”
Cali angled her head. “How foolish of you to assume that I have one.”
When he smiled, his eyes turned into slits.
“I know you somebody’s wife. You can’t tell me that a woman like you just walking around with nobody claiming her.”
She leaned in closed, piercing him with her eyes. “What if I told you that I’m nobody’s wife. Just a woman who’s enjoying her own company.” She reclined, biting her bottom lip while observing the tattoo that was on his left ring finger. “But I can bet you have someone to call your own, right?”
Rule shrugged. “Shit, I do—well did.” He made a gesture with his hand for the bartender to come to him. “Get me a Henny on the rocks.” He then turned his attention back to Cali.
“Why such a confusing answer? You're either in a relationship or you're not.”
Interlocking his fingers, he confessed, “The shit is complicated. I’m married but we’re legally separated.”
“Ooh,” she drawled. “I get it… so, what you do?”
He chuckled, flicking his nose with his thumb. “Why it always gotta be the man who fucks up? You do know women fuck up too, right?”
“Oh, I know.” She laughed to herself. “Believe me, I know but back to you, what you do?”
“Shit, I did a lot of shit. She did too but that was only a result of my bullshit. After a while, everything became toxic, so we agreed to separate.”
“Why not divorce?” Cali quizzed then adjusted her body in the stool.
Rule watched every movement she made. His hunger for her was prevalent and it undoubtedly turned her on.
“Divorce is so final, ya know. I think we both wanna make sure we gave it everything we got before we make that choice.”
“Aye, Rule, this place lit, fam,” a boisterous tall man slurred. “You gotta let me in on the next one. I’m trying to make my money make money, nah mean?”
Cali watched Rule exhale a deep breath. She didn’t know anything about him, but she knew when a man was uncomfortable.
“We’ll talk later,” he told the man, dismissively.
“Nah, I’m serious,” the man continued on. “Shit, I know you bought this place to clea—”
“Aye, what the fuck I just say!” Rule cut him off. “We’ll talk later, nigga.”
Ol’ boy nodded, raising his arms to surrender. “My bad, bruh.”
“Fuck outta here,” Rule muttered.
He hurried out of the establishment as Rule’s annoyance vanished from his features.
“My, bad, baby. Niggas don't know how to conduct themselves in front of gorgeous women.” He rubbed his lips together. “Don't think I ain't notice you got a tattoo on your ring finger either. Who dat?”
Cali chuckled, suddenly hating her impulsive decision to get Rio’s initial on her ring finger.
“This was a mistake.”
