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“Who you think?”
She squealed. “Thee Cardez Montague flew you out?”
“It was last minute. He had a meeting and—”
“Ooh, bitch. Did y’all fuck yet?” she interjected.
“Siani, please. Have you fucked Tariq?” I shot back.
“This isn’t about me,” she sang. “Plus y’all been kicking it for the past few weeks, he stops by the job, brings you lunch sometimes…”
“I’m hanging up now.”
“Wait, wait, wait. What are you wearing right now? Send me a ‘fit pic. Did you bring the black monokini? Put that on before he gets back!”
“Goodbye, Si.”
“Call me later, heifer!”
I hung up laughing. I needed that after talking to my mom.
I took her advice and changed out of my sundress and put on my bathing suit. It had a peek-a-boo center, with a deep v-cut and strings that wrapped around the midsection. I put on a sheer cover-up, reapplied some sunscreen, and was settling back onto the lounge chair with a book when I heard the sliding door open.
Cardez stepped out onto the deck in a button down and linen slacks. It didn't make sense how damn fine this man was. The way the afternoon sun hit him made me forget what page I was on.
He smiled when he saw me, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His energy was different than it was when we arrived last night.
“How was your meeting?” I asked as I set the book on my lap.
“It went well.” He sat at the edge of the lounge chair. “Miss me?”
I looked at him over my sunglasses. “Barely noticed you were gone.”
“Is that so?”
“Yep.”
He chuckled. “You hungry?”
“I already ate. But I’ll take another drink.” I held up my empty glass.
He took it from me and headed inside to get me a refill.
“You good?” I asked when he returned.
“Work shit.”
“I thought you said the meeting went well.”
“Suddenly you care about my work life?” he snapped.
“Never fucking mind.” I made a face and sipped my prosecco.
Cardez ran a hand over his face and exhaled hard. “My bad. It’s some shit going on back home. Let’s try this again. I’ma go change and how about we get in the pool?”
“Sure.”
He disappeared inside and I sat there trying to ignore the tightness in my chest. I wanted to turn off the part of me that gave a fuck and enjoy this free trip. My mother would’ve told me to get my head back in the game.
