“Things are solid between us, although sometimes I have to fight Gramps for her time and attention. He’s taken her under his wing and made her his protégé.”
“Word?”
“Yeah. He finally found somebody who loves baking and creating desserts as much as he does.”
“That’s kinda dope, though. Sounds like she fits in well with the family.”
“I guess that depends on who you ask.”
“What’s the story?”
“Things were rocky between her and Ma for a minute. They’re better now, but Ma did some shady shit, so Malyah doesn’t trust her and didn’t bite her tongue when she told her.”
“Damn! She told her?” I nodded before taking a swig of my beer. “What did Auntie do? I know she be on her bougie shit sometimes.”
I told him what transpired between my mother and my wife, and how they reached a truce . . . somewhat.
“Malyah sounds like she’s not to be played with. Auntie probably thought she would scare her away.”
“Nah. My baby stood her ground, and respectfully too.”
“What’s up with Callie? She still creeping around?”
“I blocked her a while back, but she’s called the office a few times. I don’t know how many different ways I’ll have to tell her we’re done before she’ll get the damn picture.”
“You’re taking this marriage seriously, huh?”
“Would you believe it if I told you I think I’m in love?”
“Nigga, your ass was in love on your wedding day. I could see it in your eyes, and hers too. Y’all didn’t look like two people who’d met the week prior and decided to do each other a favor.”
“That might be true on my part, but I don’t know about her. She’s not fully embracing what’s naturally happening between us. I know she can feel it, but every time we’re having a moment when I think she might allow herself to succumb to her feelings, she reminds me that our marriage is fake or that we agreed not to let our feelings get involved. That shit pisses me off.”
“I’m sure it does, but it hasn’t even been two months. Give her some time.”
“She can have all the time she needs. I’m in this for the long haul. You ready to head out?”
“Yeah.”
We took the last swigs of our beers, paid our tab, and left. It was late spring and still light out, even though it was approaching seven in the evening.
“You good to drive ho—what the fuck? Callie, get the fuck off my shit.”
“Ah hell!” Ronin exclaimed.
“It’s good to see you too, Kenzo.”
Instead of moving away from my car, she folded her arms over her chest and crossed one foot over the other, clearly making herself comfortable.
“Aye, what the hell is your problem? I told your ass we’re done. What don’t you understand?”
“I know about your little arrangement with your wife. You don’t love her, so I don’t see why we can’t keep fucking. You know you miss me.”
I looked at Ronin, and he shrugged. I was grateful he didn’t hop in his car and leave me to handle this situation alone.
“Listen, I’ve had a long day, and I’m ready to go home to my wife. If I have to drag your ass away from my car to make that happen, I will.”
I continued toward my car and stopped about a foot in front of Callie. I didn’t condone violence against women, but the confident smirk she wore made me want to smack it off her face.
