Page 26 of Nothing Like Your Ex

Melo smirked. “Is that right?”

“Mhm,” Kwinn hummed.

“Come up here so you can listen to it in person.”

Kwinn stopped straightening her office at his request. At least it sounded like one.

“You want me to come to the studio?” she asked.

“Yeah, slide through. I promise not to keep you long. I can have my driver come get you.”

Melo’s offer was kind, but Kwinn wanted to be able to leave whenever she was ready. Plus, she was calling Saiko on the way there, and Sarge didn’t need to hear their conversation.

“Um, no. You don’t have to do that. Just send me the address.”

“You sure? It’s a lil’ late out, and I ain’t particularly coo’ with you driving by yourself.”

Kwinn chuckled. “I’m grown, love. I know how to drive when it’s dark.”

“Yeah, a’ight Ms. Grown Ass. We gon’ see when you get here.” Melo chuckled, meaning that. He couldn’t wait to be in her presence. “I’m sending the location now.”

Kwinn’s phone pinged with his text. “Got it. I’ll text you when I’m on the way.”

“Why you trying to get off the phone with me?” Melo asked, making her struggle to fight off a grin. It was useless.

“So I can get dressed. Aren’t you in a timed session?” Kwinn asked, moseying into her bedroom.

“Nah. Can’t be when I own the place,” Melo said so casually.

He was never boastful, and Kwinn loved that about him so much.

“Oh. Well, okay. But I want to get ready in peace. Can I do that?”

Melo chuckled at the playfulness in her tone. “Yeah, gon’ head and get cute for me with your pretty ass. Text me before you pull off and when you get here.”

Biting her bottom lip, Kwinn told him she would, and they hung up. She had no plans to leave the house this evening, but she was excited to see him. After a shower, she got dressed and locked up her house. She texted Melo to let him know she was on her way, then called Saiko.

“You must’ve known I was about to call you,” Saiko said when she answered.

Kwinn laughed. “Why you say that?”

“Because I just randomly checked your location and you’re in the car. Where the hell you going?”

“To see Malone at the studio,” Kwinn answered, flicking on her left blinker.

“Ooo. I know that’s right. What’s going on up there?”

“Not much, but he’s recording a new song. I asked to hear it, and he told me to come listen in person, so”—Kwinn shrugged— “that’s what I’m about to do.”

On the other end, Saiko was grinning. “I love that, and I love how you’re not letting Jabari’s hoe ass keep you from still enjoying your life.”

“Girl, let’s not even talk about him, okay?”

“Right, right. My fault. Fuck him for now. Let’s talk about how you’re not gonna give the pussy up tonight,” Saiko suggested.

“Eh. Let’s not talk about that either ‘cause it’s not a guarantee that I won’t.”

Saiko sputtered out a laugh. “Wait. What?”