Page 146 of Own It

“I’m pregnant,” she blurted as if that would make me generate some sympathy for her.

“Well I guess I’m sorry to hear that, but my decision stands. You cannot work here. And you typically only fuck men who have some kind of money, so they should be able to help you.”

“It’s more complicated than that.”

“Shaun may not be rich like you want, but he surely isn’t too broke to help you raise that baby or pay for an abortion.”

“I know that, but it may not be Shaun’s baby. And the situation with the other guy is . . . complicated.”

“Complicated. Sounds like you’re the side bitch again.” I laughed before saying, “The fact that you expect me to not only have sympathy for you but rehire you because you’re possibly pregnant by the nigga I was with is insanity, Morgin.”

“Day—”

“No. You are a grown ass woman. As a grown woman, you need to do better, Morgin. The problem with being a pregnant side chick is that no one likes them, not even the nigga who knocked you up. You are a pretty girl, and you know how to get money when you actually apply yourself. I don’t know why you make it seem so damn difficult to get your own man and one who is going to do right by you. The only thing fucking on taken men will get you is a side baby, your ass beat, murdered, or all three. Grow the fuck up and get off my property.” I turned and went back inside, not caring what she had to say in response, and judging by the silence on the other side, she had not a damn thing to say anyway.

* * *

THE NEXT LATER AFTERNOON . . .

Entering Sweet Maple out in Santa Monica, I swept the restaurant before locating Kasia at a table already, nursing a mimosa.

“Hey!” I greeted her, grinning at how she lit up as she rose from her seat to embrace me.

“You smell so good,” she stated, descending back into her seat.

“Jo Malone Raspberry Ripple and Crumb Couture,” I informed and Kasia nodded.

The waitress approached after seeing me sit down, so I put in an order for a mimosa as well, but the Tiffany blue version, and then she gave us some time to look over the menu while fetching my cocktail.

“So how are you?” Kasia inquired.

“The same. We don’t need to talk about me. It’s the same old story—I’m still in love with Rakim,” I sort of joked, giggling, and Kasia followed suit.

“Okay, I like to hear that. So no drama?” She lifted a brow just as the waitress set down my blue mimosa.

I put Kasia onto the shit with Morgin and how much gall and balls the bitch had to show up and ask for my assistance since she was possibly pregnant by my ex. People like Morgin were akin to those people who asked folks they barely knew or only recently met for large amounts of money. Just crazy. I kept the shit with LaMia popping up to myself because I for some reason felt bad for her ass.

By the time I was done speaking, the waitress returned again, and we put in our brunch orders.

“Okay, now you. You still talk to the Darron guy?” I sipped from my flute.

Rolling her eyes, Kasia replied, “I do, and he’s great, but do you know Josias showed up while he was over and literally beat that man bloody. He was so ashamed that he didn’t even want me to call the ambulance for him when he regained consciousness.”

“What the fuck? Where was Divine?”

“No fucking idea! It was his time to have her, so I just knew I was safe to have company, and it’s not like Josias tracks me, but I was so wrong.

“Darron didn’t even do anything to ignite the issue; it was all Josias. Nigga used a key he clearly had copied and everything, which I know he did on purpose because he usually always respects me by ringing the doorbell and notifying me before he pops up. This was prior to me changing the locks of course. Anyway, then he starts picking with Darron before telling the man he was still fucking me a week before.”

“Oh my gosh.” I shielded my mouth, quelling my laughter. It wasn’t funny—the situation—but Josias’s jealousy was the comical part. The man had been hanging around Tarin like he loved her but couldn’t handle Kasia kicking it with another man. “Was he lying?”

“No.” she closed her eyes, clearly filled with regret. “He was having a moment about losing Zaire and one thing leg to another.”

“Sympathy pussy.”

“Exactly.” She giggled.

“I’m shocked but I’m not. I think he loves you, but he is not mature enough to deal with those emotions properly.”