Page 197 of Own It

“How well do you know Mylo?” I questioned, hoping this query would prove to be a good segue into what I truly wanted to know.

When Téa began choking a bit, I knew I was onto something.

“Sorry.” She drank some of her lemonade, and I gave her some more. “I’m gonna be honest because I don’t know what other way to be. I know him very well, and I do mean in the biblical way.”

“Oh shit.” I chuckled. “Before Zaire or after?”

“Both.” She shook her head at herself, shoving a forkful of pasta into her mouth. “First time was before Zaire and when I used to make extra cash on the side of the stripping I used to do. After was more recently, but it was the last time. I’m gonna focus on getting myself together and not entertaining another man.”

“Weren’t you guys just together?”

“Not really. Rah just sent him to pick me up, probably to be messy since I could’ve driven myself.” We laughed. “But other than him giving me a silent ride today, we haven’t and don’t talk.”

“I see.” I sipped my own drink. “He does like you though. I saw him watching you before he left.”

Téa shrugged.

“I mean, in another life, I would definitely see what’s up with him, but it just feels wrong. He’s Rakim’s friend, and I’m pregnant by Rakim’s brother. This is why I never dated in the past. I don’t know what the fuck I be doing.”

“You’ve never had a boyfriend?”

“Nope.” She ate more of her food. After swallowing, she added, “I had transactional relationships. Zaire was the first man in years that I slept with just because I liked him. The second time with Mylo was for the same reason.”

“Why do you think you only have transactional relationships?”

She stared off while chewing, then said, “I’m not sure. I think because I’ve had to fend for myself for majority of my life, and men became more of a means to an end than a romantic thing in my head. That’s why shit with Mylo is weird for me.”

I nodded, hating that I felt thankful that my parents never had me wanting for anything except for love and acceptance. They may have been cold and callous, but I always had a roof over my head and food to eat.

“That makes sense.”

“So what do you do? You look like a girl boss.” Téa squinted over at me as I chuckled.

“I own Delicacies. It’s a ph⁠—”

“Phone cases. I know of it. Some of the ladies I used to work at Perry’s with had them. I remember checking the site and promptly exiting upon seeing them prices.”

“You think they’re too high?”

“No.” She shook her head, brows pinched. “I think they’re suited for a certain market and should remain that way. I was broke, living paycheck to paycheck, if you will, so I couldn’t spend fifty-five dollars on a case. But now, look for my name in the orders.”

I chuckled, appreciating her comments.

Between Shardaya, Kasia, and now Téa, Rakim had indirectly brought a lot of cool people into my life.

* * *

“Damn. We are gonna have to place a huge order for restock,” I told Petra as I took note of what cases we had available.

Lately, there seemed to be a huge boom in business, and surprisingly, the latest collection, hand drawn by yours truly, couldn’t stay in stock. I only did it because Rakim suggested it, and a part of me thought he’d bought them all up when they first launched. He swore he hadn’t and only ordered one. I was skeptical, but when I restocked them and they completely sold out again, then a third time, I realized he was being honest.

For years, I hadn’t drawn any designs for my cases, but now I wished I’d trusted myself and my talents a while ago. I loved making designs for my cases, and now that I knew others actually did like them, it brought about a new robust excitement whenever I thought about my business.

The newly installed bell of my warehouse sounded off, making me look into the app to see Josias. Confused, I trod toward the door and opened it to allow him in since it was raining again.

“Aye, you busy?” he asked somewhat dryly, and I was able to calm myself realizing if something had happened to Rakim, he would be a lot more alarmed.

“I got a little minute.” I waved for him to follow me to my office, introducing him to Petra on the way. “Surprised you didn’t stop and flirt,” I jested once he and I entered my office.