“So, you did use me?”
“Yeah, I used you to get back at Cali,” he admitted to her and himself. “It was supposed to be a one-time thing, but I liked your vibe. There.” He shrugged. “Now tell me how much of a fuck nigga I am.”
“You said it, not me,” she countered.
“I can own my shit, Rozalin. I ain't afraid to look like the bad guy but you need to admit your shit too.”
“There’s nothing to admit.” She snorted, hunching one of her shoulders.
“Wow.” He was suddenly disgusted. “I guess not, huh?”
“Look, I didn’t seek you to spite Cali. It kinda just happened. Was it wrong to go behind my client’s back? Yes, but I won’t apologize for it. I just hate that you led me to believe that we would be together.”
“How did you figure that?”
He braced himself after Rozalin cocked her head.
“You sending flowers, fucking me like you love me. Making sure to send me lunch when my day is busy. We had several date nights and you even said that I was your type of girl. Don't act like I was in this situation all alone. You led me on, DuRio, and you know it.”
Words had suddenly fled from him. He tried to combat her claims yet they were true. In the moment, he wanted to do something nice. Sending flowers wasn’t shit to him. He had a standing order with the floral shop. DoorDashing food was a common gesture and fucking her was a benefit for both of them. He’d had some blind spots and now he stood there regretting them.
“Fuck it!” she spat. “We don't even have to go down this road. I’m done.”
Rio wanted to grab her and confess that he was wrong for how he had handled her but pride sat on his shoulder, bribing him not to do it. She stalked away, stepping hard against the pavement as he drug his hand down his face. Frustratedly, he turned around and entered the restaurant. Heading for the bar, Rio took a seat and pulled out his phone. He thought sending Rozalin a text would suffice but when he thought of what he’d say, he had no words.
“What can I get for you?” the bartender asked.
“Shot of Don Julio on the rocks.”
He nodded and went to make his drink. While Rio waited, he tapped on the Instagram app and noticed the first story was Cali’s. He swiftly tapped on it. His brows jumped when he saw the picture of her. She stole his breath as he peered at what used to be his. With his finger pressed against the screen, pausing the video, Rio took in every detail of her as if he hadn’texplored her body for the last five years. Why did it seem as if she was a new person? Why were his eyes finding new things to obsess over. Like how captivating her eyes were or how her hips had spread, making her dress look as if it was painted on.
“Here you are.” The bartender sat his drink down.
Rio swallowed hard, tapping on the next story. Her face was angled, giving a sultry view of her high cheekbones. Grabbing his glass, Rio sipped and tapped on the next one. It was a picture of a drink with a hookah set up. Rio locked his screen and sat in his puddle of emotions. Some of them were abhorrence for the woman who broke his heart but the love he possessed for Cali was so prevalent. It was potent, weakening his hatred for her. Rio should've been moving on with his life. Instead, he sat sulking, wishing the woman he still loved hadn’t left him behind.
Ten
Irish stirred a bit before she stretched her limbs. Her body was slightly sore from the fucking she and Noble had done for most of the night. She turned over, expecting to feel his brawny frame next to her, yet all she got was the empty bed space. Sitting up, she pulled the sheets up with her to cover her bare body. Noticing light peeking from under the bathroom door, she figured Noble was there.
Irish reached over and checked the time on her phone. It was a little after eight o’clock. She made plans to go to the warehouse and get some work done. Buzzing from the other nightstand diverted her attention from her thoughts. She noticed one of Noble’s phones vibrating on the edge. Irish attempted to grab it before it fell but she reached too late. Picking it up, she noticed there were several missed calls. She also noticed a text that had her eyebrows in a pinch.
Danira: Hey, I just wanted to reach out and check the temperature. I know last night was a lot and I’m sorry. I understand that you're in a new relationship now and I wanna respect that. I still value your friendship, Noble, and hope that we can move pastthat awkward scene from last night. Let me know how you feel. Talk to you soon.
“Is he serious?” she mumbled, reading the message over again.
The door opened, and Noble emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. Droplets of water rolled down his defined arms while he rubbed his palm down his fade.
“Who is Danira?” she asked, immediately.
Noble stopped in his tracks, peering at the phone in her hand with a deep gaze.
“We go through each other phones now?” he shot back.
“No, your phone was ringing and it dropped on the floor. I picked it up and noticed a text from somebody named Danira. Who is this?”
Noble exhaled and answered, “She’s my ex.”
“Ex?” Irish didn’t expect him to say that. “So you saw your ex last night?”
