Page 13 of Love At Close Range

“Y’all hoes always late. I’m glad I’m not being kidnapped or some shit,” she shot back.

“Bitch, don’t nobody want you,” Mona laughed.

“You tried it,” Tay laughed. “But y’all hurry up… shit.” She didn’t even give us time to refute before she hung up in our face.

“That damn girl is so fucking impatient,” I laughed as we made our way to The Gloss House. That was our first stop to get pampered, and it was good that they served drinks too.

Since the salon wasn’t that far, it didn’t take that long for us to get there. When we arrived, we were seated immediately by Taryn at the pedicure station. She already had a drink in her hand, a smirk on her face.

“About time you hoes showed up,” she started. “This is my second drink.” She cut her eyes as she took a sip of her champagne.

“That’s just ridiculous,” I laughed, taking my seat next to her while Mona took the seat next to me, putting me between the two of them.

“It’s called enjoying myself,” Taryn corrected as she lifted her champagne glass and took another sip. “Something your ass needs to do more often.”

“I enjoy myself just fine,” I defended as I slipped my feet out of my sandals.

“Mhm,” Mona hummed as she placed her purse beside her chair. “When you’re not working, dealing with Rhyse, or stressing over Dorian’s weird ass.”

I turned my head slowly and looked at her. I hadn’t even got comfortable yet, and these two were already trying to start their shit. I should’ve known better than to think I was going to make it through the whole day without Dorian becoming a topic.

“Damn, can I at least get my feet in the water before y’all start y’all’s shit?” I asked as the nail tech started filling the basin in front of me.

“I’ain say nothing about that nigga,” Taryn lied as she shrugged her shoulders.

“You didn’t have to,” I countered as I dipped my feet into the warm water. “I can see your fucking thoughts.”

The water immediately relaxed me, and I sank farther into the massage chair. This was exactly why I needed a girl’s day. Between work, Rhyse, and trying to figure out what the hell Dorian had going on lately, my mind had been running nonstop.

I took a sip from my glass and let the chair massage my back while the nail tech started working on my feet. Soft R&B played throughout the salon, and for the first time all week, I didn’t have anywhere I needed to be or anything I needed to handle. Rhyse was with Quentin, which meant I knew he was good. My employees knew not to bother me unless the building was on fire, and even then, they better APFD first. Today belonged to me, at least that’s what I thought until Mona turned her attention back in my direction.

“So, what’s been going on with you and Dorian?” Mona asked as she rested her glass against her thigh.

“Here we fucking go,” I groaned as I brought my champagne to my lips.

“Don’t act like we ambushed you,” Mona defended as she looked over at me. “You’ve been saying his ass has been acting funny and we wanna know if you found out anything or not.”

“And he has,” I admitted as I shrugged. “I just don’t know what the hell he has going on.”

That was the part that got under my skin the most. I knew Dorian was keeping something from me, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. Every time his phone rang, he either ignored it or moved away from me to answer it. Whenever I asked questions, all I got was some vague shit about work. I guess he thought I was just as dumb as he was.

“If you ask me, the nigga is trying to pull a Tommy off of Martin. Nigga ain’t got no job, man,” Tay blurted, and we all joined in on the laughter.

I had never been the type to need to know a man’s every move. Dorian was grown, and so was I. I had too much of my own shit going on to be checking phones, following locations, and questioning his every move. But there was a difference between giving somebody space and letting them play in my face. And right now I felt like Dorian was definitely playing in my face.

“Have you asked him what’s going on?” Mona asked as she turned slightly toward me.

“You know I did,” I responded as I picked up my glass. “He always says it’s work related.”

“And you believe him?” Taryn questioned as she stared at me.

“Absolutely not,” I answered without hesitation.

Taryn threw one hand into the air. “Then what the fuck are we talking about?” She asked dramatically.

“We’re talking about me not accusing that man of doing some shit when I’on know what the shit is,” I explained as I set my glass back in the holder. “I’m not about to follow him around Arbor Point like I work for the FBI.”

“I will,” Taryn offered. “Give me an all-black fit and the nigga’s address.”