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Me: I know that one?

Jai: No. I saw a post about it on Tik Tok and decided to download it. New for me since I like urban romance. And it’s a male author. Elijah R. Freeman. You should check it out.

Me: Aight. I’ma put it on my TBR.

Jai: Lmao. Jay, please. What you doing? You alright?

Me: Yeah. Can I come over for a minute?

Her response wasn’t immediate, but when it did come through, I smiled.

Jai: Sure. I’ll be waiting.

I started my truck and pulled off, headed to a place I actually wanted to be.

Jai’ana opened the door seconds after I knocked, letting me know that she meant what she said in her text.

“Hey.”

“Wassup, beautiful?”

I pulled her into a tight hug at the door, inhaling her scent. She rubbed my back in response, not rushing me to come inside. In that moment, some of the anger built up in me from the interaction with India dissipated.

“You okay?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I replied, pulling back and kissing her lips.

Stepping to the side to let me in, she closed the door behind me and locked it. Remembering my last visit, I took my sneakers off and placed them on the shoe rack.

“Your cheek is really red,” she pointed out.

“Yeah, a slap’ll do that.”

Her head drew back. “A slap? Who the hell slapped you?”

“India.”

“Are you serious? For what?”

I walked over to her couch and sat down. She stood at the door for a second before walking over to join me.

“Jay. Why did she slap you?”

“’Cause I told her I was seeing you.”

“Ahh hell.” She shook her head. “I’ma have to beat yo’ baby mama ass, ain’t I?”

I chuckled. “Nah. I handled it.”

She squinted. “You didn’t put your hands on that girl, did you?”

“No. I don’t get down like that.”

“Good to know.”

“But we did have words.”

I hadn’t come over with the intention of dumping my problems in her lap. Truthfully, I just wanted to see her.