Chapter 19 #3
I had to admit that I did smile more and truly enjoyed being here in Miami with Canaan and Ms. Murielle.
On some days, even the grumpy Malcolm would hang out with us, and we would all talk and laugh about whatever topic sprang to mind.
“I can acknowledge that I have deep feelings. Love requires trust and commitment, and Canaan is incapable of being faithful for long periods. The only reason he’s probably not sleeping around is that he’s spending hours at practice, and he knows people are watching. ”
“How do you know he’s not with anyone else? He’s gone for hours.”
“Because I know his scent now, and all I ever smell when he comes into the house is Canaan Jackson. I also think he’s afraid that I’ll beat him down if he messes with another woman while I’m here,” I snickered.
“He doesn’t know that I wouldn’t hurt a fly or have never been in a fight my entire life. ”
Saraj laughed. “I think you would hurt a woman who tried to mess with Canaan. Did you forget you told me about those women you threatened in Daytona?”
“Fine. I have a jealous, possessive streak when it comes to him. But I can learn to be friends with benefits, or just kick it with him as friends. Ultimately, that’s all we will ever be. He’s too focused on rising to the top to put relationship time in for me or any woman.”
“Just last month, you would’ve said the same thing about yourself.”
“Your point?” I twisted my lips.
“My point is that you only told me why he doesn’t want a relationship. You didn’t say we are both too focused on our goals for a relationship. All that tells me is whether the two of you will ever be real is on him.”
I flopped my head back on the cushioned chair.
“Nope. It’s not just on him. I don’t do lovesick or hopelessly wait for a man to finally see that I am the one.
” I lifted my chin. “Saraj, I swear I won’t be that woman.
I won’t be another sad song. I owe myself and my female followers that much.
I’m leaving Miami with my heart and mind intact, which is doubtful if I were to enter into a relationship with Canaan, as he seems to want lately.
I can’t tell if he’s serious or just being his naturally affectionate self. ”
Saraj twisted his neck and snapped his fingers, “Then, baby girl, you better make sure he falls for you first. Based on the way he’s been treating you, he’s already halfway there.
So, that holding out on sex thing you’ve been doing is played out.
Give that man what he wants and needs, and you might just get real love out of all this. ”
“I don’t need love,” I reiterated.
“Kensie, I’m your best friend. Stop it. I get it.
Tauren devastated you, and you want to prove you don’t need a man or love to be happy.
Preach it for the single women who currently don’t have options.
That’s not your story anymore because you have Canaan.
If you deny love that’s staring you in your face, that cheating son-of-a-ratchet woman wins. Do you still want Tauren to win?”
“Run that by me again . . . ‘cheating son-of-a-ratchet woman,’” I chortled loudly. “This is why you’re my best friend, hype man, and manager.”
Saraj’s arched brows dipped in the middle.
“What?” I quieted my laughter.
“Please tell me you don’t laugh around Canaan. That geez-awful laugh of yours sounds like a darn hyena and will run any self-respecting man away.”
“He’s heard me laugh and is still very much attracted, thank you very much.” I flicked my tongue, and then I slapped my thigh. “I can’t believe I forgot.”
“What?”
“You need to help me hire a film crew for his special fans-only practice in Miami next Saturday. I know . . . I know . . . I should’ve started our conversation with this.
I’ll email all the details later today. Tonight, we’re doing a special live on Instagram to invite my followers to watch him practice next Saturday. Make sure you hop on my live.”
Saraj pointed at the camera. “You are distracted by love. How else could you forget to tell me about an event like that? This is next-level Kensie.”
“I know, I know. It all happened so fast. As soon as we finished the live, he told me to look pretty because he was taking me out. And he emphasized, no cameras, Saraj.”
He winked. “Come on. Just a pic for the Gram. You two make a sexy couple together, and the people want to see you on an actual date.”
I shook my head. “Nope. It’s what he wants, and I’m good with it.”
Saraj gave a long, drawn-out sigh. “Then let me go and get back to junior so I can start working on your event that you conveniently forgot to mention.”
“Saraj, junior better be legal.”
He winked. “He’s twenty.”
“Still way too young.”
“You worry about your man, and I’ll worry about mine. Bye.” He clicked off the phone.
I hurried to the kitchen, where Ms. Murielle readied Canaan’s lunch, which would be hand-delivered by one of his crew members in a few hours. “I need to go shopping. Canaan is taking me out tonight.”
The older, curvy woman smiled broadly. “About time. I know he has a race, but he has to make time for you too. Give me thirty minutes, and we’ll go into the city and have you looking sharp. You need to remind him what he’s missing at home.”
I hugged Ms. Murielle’s waist. “We’re on the same page. The same page.”