“You’re acting like him!” I spat. “You keep trying to control things around me while acting like it’s for my own good. That is not love to me, Reek. It feels like somebody else deciding what my life should look like.”
“I would never do that to you.”
I laughed through tears. “But youare.” I snatched my arm free, wiped my tears, and said, “Just leave me alone, Reek.”
Then I turned and walked out before he could stop me again.
I didn’t look back as I passed all the crew and their stares. I just kept going. Because if I had looked back at Reek then, I might’ve folded, and I was done folding for men who kept making me feel like being chosen was too much to ask.
20
AVA REYNOLDS
My phone rang just as I was checking my makeup one last time in the mirror by my front door. The make-up artist had just left, and I was dressed and almost out the door.
I looked at the screen and, when I saw Zahra’s name, I answered, “I’m on my way out the door. The MUA just left.”
“Why can’t I just come pick you up?”
“Because this is not my wedding day. It’s just a baby shower. I can drive myself.”
She sucked her teeth. “Fine. I’ll meet you there.”
“A’ight.”
“Hurry up.”
I hung up, then grabbed my purse and headed out. I rushed through the building, onto the elevator, and got off on the parking garage floor, where I had parked last.
I had just hit the unlock button on my key fob when a voice behind me called, “Ava Reynolds.”
I turned and saw a woman in a dark coat, low heels, and her hair pulled back into a slick bun.
“Can I help you?” I asked.
She stepped closer and pulled out her badge. “I’m Agent Mallory. I just have a few questions about your relationship with Tariq Horton.”
Street code kicked in instantly. I shifted my purse on my shoulder as I continued on the path to my car. “I don’t have a relationship with Tariq.”
Her mouth twitched like she didn’t believe me. “That’s interesting, considering the photos online of your pop up event.”
I said nothing.
“You’ve been seen with him repeatedly. He’s been at your residence. He was at your pop-up event. He appears close to you.”
I looked back at her and shrugged. “That’s my sister’s husband’s friend.”
“That all?”
“Yes.”
Mallory watched me, clearly hoping I’d get nervous and start filling the silence.
I wasn’t stupid, though. I didn’t know what she knew, what she thought she knew, or what she was fishing for. But I did know I wasn’t about to give a federal agent anything about Reek or anybody tied to the Cartiers.
Finally, she asked, “And you’re not carrying his child?”
I looked her in the eyes. “You seem way too interested in my uterus.”
