Page 17

“So, you gonna tell me what’s up or nah?” she asked when we were downstairs getting our stuff.

I was sitting on a fold out chair, counting out Cardez’s tip. Five thousand dollars. I counted out two thousand and gave it to Siani.

“Thanks for helping out tonight,” I said.

“You just gonna ignore my question?”

I shrugged. “He’s interesting.”

“Interesting?” She sucked her teeth. “That’s what you going with?”

“What you want me to say, Si?” I gathered the rest of my belongings and stood.

“Look. Riq is cool. I fuck with him. But that Cardez…” She shivered. “It’s something about him. He got a different energy. The nigga is too calm, sorta like you.”

I snorted. “Me and that man are nothing alike.”

“Yeah, just be careful. ‘Cause I know how you get when you lock in on something.”

I put my bag over my shoulder and glanced at her. Siani was loud and sometimes caught feelings at the speed of light, but she wasn’t dumb. And right now, she was seeing something that I thought I was keeping tucked away.

“I’m not locked in on anything,” I said. “But I hear you.”

She looked at me for another beat, then let it go. “Aight, girl. Let’s get lunch this week.”

My drive home was quiet. I’d made a decision tonight. Maybe not the smartest one, but one that could have me set up for a hot minute.

My phone lit up on the passenger seat with a number I didn’t recognize.

(646) 555-9877

Hope you got home safe, Beautiful Belle.

I stared at it at the red light and chewed my bottom lip before typing back two words.

Goodnight, Cardez

5 CARDEZ MONTAGUE

I didn’t call her right away because I wanted to give her my full attention. Talking to Belle on the phone for the first time wasn’t happening in the car on my way to handle business.

It was Sunday afternoon. I’d already gone for a run, showered, and warmed up leftovers from the night before. I was chillin’ on my couch with a beer with some random movie playing on TV while I stared at her number like a whole idiot.

I hit call.

She answered on the fourth ring.

“Hello?” Her voice had a sweet huskiness to it that I liked.

“It’s Dez.”

“I know. I saved you as ‘Don’t Answer.’”

I laughed, which caught me off guard. “And yet.”

“I was bored. It’s not that deep.”

I rested my head against the cushion, grinning at the ceiling like a nigga with no sense. “What you up to?”