TEN
I shouldn’t have gone to the nightclub. I shouldn’t be lusting at another man when I’m in a relationship.
What is happening to me?
“Scared about your launch?” Wren’s soft voice drags me back to reality, and I stare at him standing in the doorway. Except for his flawless caramel skin, he resembles the glambot guy, Cole Wallister, with similar loose shoulder-length curls. “I can’t believe Chavonne agreed.”
“Yeah, I’m more excited than anything, though.”
He smiles. “Your designs are spectacular. I’m happy for you.”
I beam at him. “Coming from one of the best lead designers in the industry, that means a lot to me.”
“Aw, hon. You’re too sweet.”
Squeals echo in the air, followed by joyous laughter.
“Sounds like Iree found out the good news,” I realize.
“She owes you big time.” He blows me a kiss and walks down the passage.
I’m about to resume work when vibrations lure my focus to my phone on the desk. I sigh at Jamir’s text, telling me he’s outside.
Grabbing my bag, I take a breath and head from the building, climbing into the Range Rover without a word.
“Still mad then,” he states. “No kiss?”
I suck my teeth and stare straight ahead. While I’m guilty of the moment with Kross on the rooftop, I hadn’t sought it out. Jamir intentionally lied to me.
He drives to a restaurant by the water, and I order bean salad while he chooses coconut shrimp and clam chowder.
“About last night,” he starts after a sip of his drink. “You believe me when I say nothing happened with the women?”
“Not sure. I wish you had been honest. Did you lie about last Friday? Other nights when you said you were at the office?”
“Baby.” He reaches over to touch my hand. “It won’t happen again.” He didn’t answer the questions.
Regardless, it’s better to share about my night before he finds out somehow. Who knows if Shanae’s sneaky ass was at the club again. “I went to Krossfire with Trishell and Reeve.”
Jamir pulls his hand back, his face screwed up. “That’s petty. You went ‘cause you were mad at me?”
“Yes and no.” I take a breath and continue. “Seeing my cousin having fun with her man made me feel jealous. You don’t take me dancing. We hardly do anything fun.” Heat tickles my skin as the moments with Kross consume my mind again.
“Come on, Davia,” Jamir jolts me back. “I’m not into clubs and that type of shit.” He motions to our setting. “I take you to expensive restaurants, on yachts, to fancy events with billionaires. What more do you want?”
“More time together that’s simple and fun.”
“Those things are fun,” he points out.
“Maybe for you.”
He narrows his gaze. “Where’s this coming from?”
“I don’t know,” I answer with a sigh.
Our lunch arrives, and I push around the beans and veggies on the plate, asking, “How about coming to Paris with me next week? Take a few days off.”
“I’ll be bored. I’m too busy anyway.” He swallows what’s in his mouth. “Maybe you should pass on it this year. You’ve been three times already.”
His disregard for my career stings. “Really, Jamir? Some of the looks I worked on will be on the runway. Aren’t you happy for me?”
“Baby, I’m not trying to shit on them, but it’s not like La Monte will have a major runway. The brand only gets a small showcase and is barely covered compared to other renowned designers. I don’t know why y’all even bother with fashion week.”
My mood tanks. “I can’t believe you said that.”
“Look, D. My career’s rising fast. I’ll earn two hundred thousand by Fall instead of a hundred and eighty. You don’t need to work.”
“I’m not giving up my dream,” I snap at him in a low tone. “You have no right to diminish my career or La Monte . You know what? Take me back to work.”
He huffs. “Calm down and finish your lunch. There’s no need to get all riled up.”
“Forget it. I’ll Uber back.” I push from the chair.
“Davia, sit down,” he orders like I’m a child.
Ignoring him, I march out of the restaurant into the chilly air and retrieve my phone.
“Baby.” Jamir grasps my arm and turns me to him. His eyes wilt as he studies my face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said all that. I know it’s your dream, and it matters. What you want matters to me. I’m sorry.”
Though his apology seems sincere, my heart still feels unsettled.
“I’ll buy you a veggie burger before driving you to work. The bean salad wasn’t much of a lunch, huh.”
“It’s fine,” I mumble, dropping the phone back into my bag. “I’m not hungry.”
His frown deepens. “Sorry for hurting your feelings. You forgive me?”
I nod, and he draws me in for a kiss and an embrace. There was a time when every moment in his arms felt sweet. Lately, it’s becoming more and more empty.
Trishell plops down in the booth after removing her jacket. “Hey, girl, hey.”
“How was your day?”
“Long,” she exhales. “So hectic at the firm.”
“Well, you look nice,” I compliment, liking her belted blue dress and how she styled her hair in a slick-back bun.
“Thanks, babes. You know I’ll always support La Monte .” She squints at me. “You seem troubled.”
“A bit.” I chug my red wine and signal to the waitress.
“Damn. I’ll have a glass with dinner, too.” She refocuses on me after we order. “Talk to me.”
“When you left the club last night,” I start, “Kross took me to the rooftop to hang out.”
She purses her lips. “So, my instincts were right.”
“It was harmless at first, and then we had a moment. Kross held my hand. Something was about to happen. I pulled away only because his friend interrupted.”
“You mean you wanted to kiss him?” she confirms, eyes wide.
I nod and drink some more.
“Wow,” she murmurs. “So, you’re feeling Kross?”
“I don’t know what it is, Trish. I feel guilty, though. You think it’s because Jamir’s neglecting me?”
She sighs. “I suppose it is natural to feel that way when you’re not receiving the attention you want from your man. Focus on your relationship. It’ll be okay.”
“Kross makes my coochie tingle,” I confess.
“Shit!” She waves to the waitress for more wine, telling her, “Leave the bottle, please.”
I slump against the seat. “What am I going to do? This has never happened in the five years of my relationship.”
“Avoid him,” she urges after drinking. “I get it. Kross is one fine ass man. If you don’t want to destroy your relationship, avoid temptation.”
“Right. I’ll stay away from the club, go to Paris, and he’ll be out of my head by the time I return.”
It feels easier said than done.