Chapter 6
SIX
Kyori
“So how is it?” Esha removed a slice from the stand in the center on our table and dropped it onto her plate, lifting the parmesan cheese and overloading it.
“I hate to even admit this but I like her. Like, if she didn’t have history with Sim, we would be hella cool.”
“Wait, I thought y’all were cool?” Learah tossed out before grabbing herself another slice but guiding it right to her lips.
“We are to a certain degree but it’s still weird as hell.”
“Shit yeah it is.” Esha laughed before stuffing her mouth. “But I get it. I was kinda in the same situation… Well shit, I still am because nobody can lay these tracks like Barbie.” She whipped her head, causing her hair to flip over her shoulder.
“Wait, Kane had sex with the person who does your hair?”
Esha rolled her eyes dramatically. “It was back when he was in high school but yeah. We didn’t get together until like five or six years after that but the worst part is he had never been to the shop before then, so she and I found out at the same time.
He showed up to bring me money and he looked like he had seen a ghost but played it off.
I knew right then and there something was up.
So I hopped my happy ass right out of the chair and got in his face.
When I asked if he fucked her, he fumbled over his words until she fessed up. ”
“Damn. So, what happened?”
“I slapped the fire out of him and walked outta the shop with half my tracks sewn in. My head was fucked up for a whole week before I finally broke down and went back to get it fixed. You can’t trust just anybody to be all up in your head.
She and I had been cool before I knew about it, so there was really no reason for me to trip.
But I promise his ass is not even allowed to pull up in the parking lot of her shop.
I’m not playing them games. Kane wasn’t shit in high school compared to what he is now.
I didn’t want Barbie’s ass getting no ideas or trying to rekindle old feelings. ”
Me and Learah both laughed at her crazy ass but that was just her, take it or leave it. Esha was wild but she was our girl.
“I don’t know if I could do it.” Learah shook her head, lifting her drink. “It would always be in the back of my mind.”
“Oh trust me, it’s not easy. The only reason I’m okay with it is because this entire week, I’ve seen her with her fiancé and can tell she’s not checking for anyone but him, which makes sense because the man is fine as shit.
He’s not my baby but he could get it. Whether I like it or not, Asim has a past.”
“Yeah but that doesn’t mean you have to be buddy-buddy with his damn past.” Esha rolled her eyes and lifted her drink. “But I did hear she’s super nice though. A little on the crazy side, but that was a while ago. Maybe she’s a changed woman.”
“Hell she better be or I’ll change her ass,” I said through a laugh.
“But she’s cool. It’s not like we’re best friends or even talk much.
The first couple of days she hooked me up with all her contacts, reached out to them so they would know I was filling the position, and that was pretty much it.
I’ve been purchasing items for the store because I already knew my shit.
She spends more time at the Lenox location. ”
“But you’re still gonna do your own thing, right?”
“Yeah I just want to give it some time and start building a name for myself. She actually suggested I start an online shop and offered me the option of using her contacts to buy for myself. She said I didn’t have a name right now so I wouldn’t be competing with her brand.
I was annoyed at first but she was right.
It also had me hella motivated to build my shit faster. ” I smirked and Esha laughed.
“Shady hoe.”
“Business hoe. Like I said, we’re cool but this is just an opportunity for me to grow. I’m not trying to find a best friend.”
“Not possible, boo. The committee closed acceptance for all new candidates for friend membership when we were in LA,” Learah said with finality, prompting Esha to deliver a high-five.
“You’re damn right because I don’t like people. Shit, y’all better be glad I liked y’all after we met. That was a whole ass movement.”
“You know what? I’m not playing with your crazy behind.” I rolled my eyes and Esha blew me an air kiss while I shot her a bird. “Speaking of LA, my birthday is next month. We should be planning another getaway. There’s no way Sim will tell me no. At least not right now.”
“You still must be holding out?”
“Yep, but he’s still servicing daily.” I winked at Esha and she laughed.
“So wait, you’re making him give you head but you aren’t giving it up?”
“Nope but I’m the one who’s suffering, so I think I’mma have to remedy that tonight.”
“Hoe ass.”
“When it comes to him I damn sure am, but truthfully, I’m not mad anymore.
I just don’t want him thinking he can do dumb shit and everything will be cool because he says I’m sorry.
I needed some kind of power and lord knows holding out is putting some act right in him.
I almost feel sorry for my baby though.”
“Same. Amir is so pitiful. He’s been sleeping on the couch for the past week and I’ve barely been talking to him.
It just really pissed me off that he lied, no matter what the situation was.
Then the fact that he got shot scared the shit out of me.
I didn’t like how that felt but every time I try to tell myself it wasn’t worth it and I was done, I didn’t have it in me to walk away. ”
“Awww, are you in love, Lear?” That goofy ass grin on Esha’s face had Learah’s eyes rolling fast.
“Hell no but I care about him, a lot.”
“Lying ass.” I chuckled and they both looked at me.
“What?”
“It’s not just her, your ass is gone too.”
I shrugged. “I’m falling. I’m not gonna deny it but I’m also not gonna compromise myself anymore. Asim is a good man but that doesn’t mean he gets a free pass no matter how much I care. If I can keep my shit on point, he better learn to do the same.”
“I see you, gangster.” Learah threw up fake gang signs, which had all of us laughing.
“Put your damn hands down before you get us shot up in here. One of these good suburban folks in here might be repping a set, crazy.”
I smacked her hands and she rolled her eyes, looking around quickly.
Spending time with these two was much needed, but my mind was already on what was next.
I planned on finishing lunch with my girls then putting together something special for my man.
He, or rather we, had suffered enough; so tonight was going to be all about him.