Page 77 of Certified to Handle You 3

I ain’t say nothin’ ‘cause I did remember.

Pluto turned back toward me. “Somebody can say yes because they’re hurt, confused, scared, tired, or trying to choose the life that looks easier on paper. That doesn’t always mean their heart is where their mouth is. I’m not saying Sha’Nelle handled everything right, because she didn’t. I’m saying love get messy when people are trying to protect themselves from the very thing they still want.”

My hand moved over the wheel, and I let out a light breath through my nose. “That’s supposed to make me feel better?”

“No,” she said. “It’s supposed to make you think, and at least give grace.”

I glanced at her, and she held my eyes for a second before I looked back at the road.

“Sha’Nelle is a beautiful person,” Pluto said. “I can understand why you wanted her and why you saw a future with her. She made mistakes, but she’s not some random woman to me either. She’s Isley’s godmother, and you’re Isley’s godfather. That means both of y’all are connected to my baby, and I’m never going to sit here and act like one of y’all matter and the other one doesn’t.”

My throat worked, but I ain’t say nothin’ yet.

“She wants to hear from you,” Pluto added. “Even if you’re not ready to give her what she wants. Even if all you can give her is the truth. Sometimes a woman just needs to know the love was real, even when the hurt is still sitting in the middle of it.”

I swallowed and kept drivin’, lettin’ the streetlights pass over the windshield while my hands stayed on the wheel. “And what if hearin’ her make me worse?”

Pluto’s face softened. “Then at least you’ll know what you’re really fighting. Right now, you’re fighting what happened, what you think she felt, what you think she meant and a conversation you never had with her. That’s a lot to carry by yourself.”

I kept my eyes on the road ’cause lookin’ at her would’ve made it worse. “You always gotta say some shit that sit on a nigga.”

She smiled soft. “That’s Virgo love.”

I huffed a small laugh. “A’ight then.”

I pulled into the private lot outside the jeweler’s buildin’. The place was two stories, glass across the front with gold lettering near the doors and security posted out front.

I cut the car off and sat here for a second, gettin’ myself back into the role I was playin’. Pluto fixed her hair in the mirror then looked at the buildin’ like she was still suspicious.

I got out first and walked around to open her door. She took my hand when she stepped out, and I helped her down before closin’ the door behind her.

“You good?” I asked.

Pluto looked up at me, and her mouth twitched like she was fightin’ a smile. “Why are you askin’ me that?”

I shrugged, tryna hide my own smile. “I’m just askin’.”

“Mhm,” she said, watchin’ me close. “You look like you know something.”

“I know you need to go in here and get yo’ gift before that man close.”

She stared at me for another second, then shook her head and walked toward the door. I stepped ahead of her and opened it, lettin’ her go in first like I was supposed to.

The second we crossed inside, bright lights hit the glass cases, and the whole place opened up around us in a way I ain’t expect.

Then everybody yelled, “Surprise!”

I turned my head toward the sound with a smile already sittin’ on my face for Pluto, but that smile went still when I saw the banner stretched across the second level railing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RENZA.

For a second, I ain’t move…

The whole damn jewelry store had been turned into a private birthday setup. Every display case was lit from underneath, and instead of regular pieces sittin’ inside, there was chains, watches, rings, and custom pieces placed on black velvet with my name worked into the cards in front of ‘em.

Some of the pieces had my initials. Some had lil’ touches only my people would know to ask for, and that was the part that hit me before I could get my face right.

The first floor had tables with food, bottles, and flowers that made the place feel expensive as hell.