Page 34 of Just Like Summer

“Greenwood,” she asked, simply not wanting to get too deep into the particulars.

“How you get here?” Nate questioned. “Better yet, with this crazy ass Azul.”

“She’s going to OSU in the fall and they met at the corner store. Get out of their business,” Dania huffed.

“Yeah, she’s already in it, ain’t enough room for both of you,” Cairo replied, before taking a bite of his slice of supreme pizza with extra cheese.

“We’re just friends,” Kamilla stated, and both Nate and Dania grunted and shared a look. “Don’t do that.”

“You know, I like you, Kamilla, you seem real innocent. Like never been kissed innocent. And I know my brother, he’s not a man to lie. So, you two can drop the act. You might not be together today, but next week,” Dania’s words trailed off as her and Nate chuckled.

“Anyway,” Cairo huffed. “Found a job yet? You might be able to find something with the Feds the way you in everyone’s business.”

“No call back,” Dania groaned. “Looks like I’ll be going to the clinic until I can get some real money.”

“Oh shit, that reminds me,” Nate interjected. “Fredo said we can get in the studio tomorrow night. But the catch is, it might be fucked up.”

“Fucked up?” Cairo asked. “Fucked up how?”

“Like Shy had a party and the nigga nor his crew is coming back to clean it up,” Nate shared.

“I can clean it,” Kamilla spoke up.

Dania curled her lip up. “You sure? Shy and his niggas are nasty.”

“Can’t be any worse than cleaning up behind rich people after their swinger parties,” Kamilla shared. “Is he paying?”

“If I tell that nigga to pay he is,” Cairo spoke up. “You sure that’s what you want to do?”

“I got to do something. I told you I know how to do that. I just gotta get some supplies,” Kamilla said before looking at Dania. “I’ll split it with you.”

“And she’s considerate?” Dania gushed. “You better treat her right, Cairo.”

“I’m not having it no other way,” he quietly stated, not taking his eyes off of Kamilla. “I’ll make it happen.”

As she nodded, his phone dinged. QaMeesha was handled and the gas valve was left open. He read the text, replied with a meet spot and time and pushed it back in his pocket.

“You got to go?” Kamilla’s question was soft.

Cairo swayed his head. “I’ll handle it later. Eat, relax.”

For the next forty minutes, they ate; Nate and Cairo exchanged jokes while Dania and Kamilla got more acquainted. The budding friendship between the two eased him. Dania might’ve been more on the inquisitive side but she had a good heart and she moved with his best interest in mind, which meant she’d do right by Kamilla. Hell, from the looks of it, she probably would’ve chosen Kamilla over him if it came down to it.

“Cairo,” Dania hummed in a sing-song style. “I like her.”

Cairo watched as Kamilla went to get another lemonade. She was so hellbent to do something for herself, he let her, only for her to turn her back and shoot Pepe a look. She do anything she wanted but spend her own money. The men shared a silent gesture so when Kamilla pulled her money out of her wallet and Pepe refused it, she shot him a look over her shoulder.

“You don’t need to say it. I know you like her too,” Dania added. “You don’t get caught out with no one. This is new for you. So am I to assume you’re going to get serious about producing?”

“I mean I got to have someone to produce or sell a beat or something. But yeah,” Cairo said. “The itch to get out of this shit is becoming harder to ignore.”

“A good girl has that effect. Don’t hurt her.”

“What about me?” Cairo asked jokingly.

“Oh, please. Nothing hurts you. You’ll be fine. Get her back to wherever you’re keeping her stashed away. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Dania hummed and nudged him with her hip before walking away. “See you later, Kamilla.”

Kamilla waved and smiled. “See you.”