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“Next Friday,” she informed.

“Aight. Hit up my stylist to come through with some shit for me to look through. Tell her to bring something for you too,” I offered.

“Why not take Cadence?” She suggested.

I thought about it for a minute, and it would be a good photo op for us.

“I didn’t think about asking her. I’ll hit her up and run it by her,” I answered.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and pulled up our text thread.

What time are you leaving the hospital?

I placed my phone down and listened to Lani run some other shit that I needed to do off to me. In the middle of her talking, my phone went off.

Tink: Around 5:30. Everything ok?

I smiled at the fact that she was checking in without even realizing it.

Yeah. I just needed to talk to you about some shit. I’ll meet you at your house when I leave my mama’s.

Tink: Uhm... ok.

Be cool, Tink. I’ain on no bullshit... I promise.

It took a few seconds to respond, but I was happy that she did.

Tink: Ok... I guess I’ll see you later.

Bet.

I put my phone down and my mama and sister were looking at me with stupid ass grins on their faces.

“Yeah, y’all tripping.” I laughed as I got up.

My mama would read too much into this shit because she wanted me to settle down, and I was just trying to play ball and stay out the way.

I’ve been at my mama’s house for about an hour before my pops showed up. I should’ve known he’d be here sooner or later.

“Hey, baby girl,” he greeted my sister, who gave him a hug. She knew about their relationship, but she was a daddy’s girl, so she didn’t say too much.

“Hey, Daddy,” she countered.

“Hey, son,” he spoke.

“Wassup.” I nodded.

He returned the gesture and went to kiss my mama on the cheek before disappearing in the back.

“Ma, what y’all doing?” I asked.

“Minding our grown ass business,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“I can see that. What about Maureen?”

My pops had been married to Maureen for about fifteen years, but I never not saw him over here. I mean, he was my pops, so I didn’t mind him being here, but I didn’t want him playing with my mama either.

“What about her?” Mama shot back. I just shook my head.