She glared past Moose at Sisi before aiming a finger at her.
“He can’t be with you twenty-four seven. I still owe you a dog walk too.”
“Promises, promises.” Sisi taunted.
Trini was hot for more than one reason. Over the past few months, she and Moose had rekindled whatever it was between them. Since things hadn’t worked out with him and that Inarigirl, she stepped right in to be the comforting friend he needed her to be. Shit wasn’t perfect, but she was enjoying it for what it was and not trying to put any pressure on him for anything else. Spinning on her heel, Trini stormed out, and Sisi set his portfolio back on the counter.
“You’re still hanging around her?”
“She’s got a booth here,” Moose answered, going back to his stool. “It’s been a long time. How y’all still on that high school shit?”
“Oh, a woman can hold a grudge for a long time. You know this. Besides, too much has happened for us to ever let that go.”
Shaking his head in shame, Moose couldn’t do anything else. Women were wild. He never expected Sisi to slide into town again, but he wouldn’t lie and say it wasn’t good to see her. Once he wrapped up with his client and got his payment, he told one of the other artists that he was stepping away for lunch. Grabbing his coat so he didn’t have to go up against the winter winds, he snatched the beanie out of his pocket and put it on over his locs too.
On the way to the door, he helped her into her black peacoat. Slipping outside, he peeped gray clouds while the crisp air smacked them in the face like a bitter baby mama. It was Friday, and winter vacation had started for the district, so the streets were packed with people, and so was Junction. Moose opened the door to the spot, and the smoked meat aroma immediately hit their nostrils.
“Oh, my God, it smells so good in here.” Sisi inhaled. “You know they don’t grill on the east coast like we do.”
“Fuck nah,” Moose agreed, chucking his chin in greeting to Smoke and Kool as he led Sisi over to an empty booth.
Once they were both settled, Kool came and took their order, and his daughter, twelve-year-old Billie, brought them their drinks. Moose slipped her five bucks for a tip, and she grinned.
“So, tell me, what have you been up to? Besides opening the shop?” Attentive, Sisi leaned forward with her chin propped in her hand, awaiting his response. “And don’t leave anything out on my behalf. You know we’re better than that. Got a girlfriend or any kids?” She smiled and reached for his tatted hand across the table.
Moose chuckled, bowing his head and giving some thought to his answer before lifting it. The door to Junction swung open, allowing a cold gust of air inside before Inari and Dane entered together. Judging from her expression she was either frustrated or annoyed while her son argued his case.
“Come on, Ma. If Pops says it’s cool, why you tripping?” Dane griped.
She paused briefly, spotting Moose with Sisi and their hands intertwined. Something sparked behind her usually warm amber eyes. There was familiarity between the two of them. Moose seemed very comfortable, and it triggered that green-eyed monster in Inari. It’d been months since she’d seen or spoken to him. She wouldn’t even go to his father’s house to visit her sister for fear of possibly running into him. Now, here he was, in the flesh. Still fine as hell. Sisi caught the flicker of something behind Inari’s gaze when she observed her with Moose, and how he looked past her right into Inari’s soul.
“Because you don’t even have a license yet, Dane. You don’t need a fucking car,” his mama snapped, rolling her eyes and slipping right past Moose and Sisi.
“Oh, what’s up, Moose?” Her son stopped to greet him with a dap, but Inari continued to the counter a few steps away and eased onto a stool.
Moose returned the gesture, giving Dane a nod and half smile.
“What’s good, kid?”
“Nothing. Trying to convince my mama to let my pops buy me a car. She’s always complaining about having to drive me everywhere. Maybe you can talk some sense into her and make her see that this benefits both of us.” Dane pleaded his case.
Moose chuckled and glanced at Inari pretending to read over the Junction menu. She looked good. She’d slimmed down some, but he was glad she still had some weight on her. He preferred her thick like that. He was a firm believer that some people just looked better with a few extra pounds. When they lost weight, their heads looked big as fuck, and they lost some of their appeal.
“I don’t think I need to insert myself into that conversation.”
“Come on, I don’t get in trouble. I ain’t never even been suspended, and I can take the test to get my permit soon, so my license will be next.”
“Dane, leave him alone. Can’t you see he’s occupied?” Inari chimed in snippily. “And Moose doesn’t get a vote when it comes to you getting a car.”
“Moose don’t get a vote in a whole lot of shit.” He grabbed his beverage cup and took a sip through the straw he’d stuck inside it.
He had his back to Inari, and she studied his head before her gaze went past him to Sierra. Beautiful, skin like coffee rich with creamer, at least a shade lighter than Inari’s golden brown skin tone. She was pretty, with wide set oval shaped brown eyes and thick, plush lips covered in a nude gloss. Her brows lifted with Inari’s as Moose took a few more sips of his drink and set it back on the table.
“So, Ayla told me your pops was throwing a party for the holidays. Said it was going to be lit, and he was even having an ice rink put together. Is that true? Can I come?” Dane queried.
“Yeah, you’re more than welcome. It’s cool.”
“What if I want to bring a date?” Dane simpered.
