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Then I felt like the deer staring into headlights. “You’re just giving me permission to spend your money, anyway I see fit?”

“I gave you the card, didn’t I?”

“You ain’t gotta tell me twice.”

I stood to walk him out. Before he turned to leave, he turned to drop a kiss on my forehead and then my lips. He pulled back slightly and then leaned in for another quick peck. I watched him as he disappeared down my apartment building’s stairs.

By six o’clock that evening, I was done shopping, and, quite frankly, I was tired of spending money. The trunk of the Uber I had called was full. Shopping bags were stacked with a little bit of everything. From clothes, shoes, purses, and skincare products to more jewelry, and of course, some of my favorite Marc Jacob perfumes. I absolutely did not need all of this but bought it because Chance told me and technically, I was only following instructions.

When I got back to the house, Jamie was still not home, but I could tell she had been there at some point because the food I’d forgotten to put away had been put in the fridge and the counters had been wiped down.

I felt like so much had happened in the last twenty-four hours, and I needed to tell her and Sage what’s been going on.

She answered on the third ring.

“Hey, sis,” she said sweetly.

“Hey, lil’ big sis. What you doing?” I asked in a mischievous tone.

“Nope,” she said flatly.

“What?” I laughed. “You ain’t even let me get it out.”

“No, Justice. I know that tone. So whatever foolishness you’re involved in, leave me out of it.”

“Damn, sis, I’m not involved in foolishness. I was only calling to offer to take you out to dinner tonight. I was going to call Sage, too. Maybe I should’ve called her first,” I said sarcastically.

“You still spending that man money.” I could hear her concern. “You just got out of prison. How are you trusting him? What if he calls his card in stolen and you go back to prison?”

“That won’t happen. I promise. Let me take you out so we can catch up. I’ll tell you everything.”

“Fine. Where?”

“Let’s drive out to Baltimore. I haven’t had Jimmy’s in forever.” I knew she was probably smiling; Jimmy’s was one of her favorite restaurants. That had a bomb ass crab mac and cheese, and the drinks never missed.

“Okay, I’ll grab Sage and will meet you at the house in thirty.”

“Yayyy! I’m already here.”

“I don’t know what I’ma do with you,” she mused.

“Love me. K Byeeeee see you shortly.”

I hung up on her and called Sage to let her know the plans for tonight. She had a completely different attitude when I told her about Chance and his black card. Her response was so Sage-coded. Yasssssss bestieeee spin that nigga shit!

An hour later, the three of us sat around a table filled with food we absolutely did not need. Well, I’ll speak for me. I was the heavy hitter of the crew. I was able to maintain my weight in jail, but I definitely toned up. That’s why I call Jamie lil’ big sis. She was older than me, but she was part of the itty-bitty committee.

Sage and I were on our third shot, and Jamie was still sipping her tequila cotton candy drink.

“So,” Sage started as she stabbed her shrimp with her fork, “tell us about Money Man.”

“His name isn’t Money Man, it’s Chance.”

“I like Money Man better,” she said, waving her hand as if to dismiss my correction.

“He’s different, better than I remembered. He listens to me, goes out of his way to make sure I’m straight. He’s patient, truly. I have been trying to set him off, and he doesn’t seem bothered by shit I do or say. He doesn’t get irritated when I act crazy.”

Sage waved her fork. “You know some men like crazy. Keeps the relationship spicy.” She laughed at herself.