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“Don’t start with me, JuMarion. Move!”

He swung his legs out of the aisle with that same crooked ass grin spread across his face like he won. I flopped down in my seat and finally exhaled. Maybe this trip wouldn’t have me spiraling. I’d spent enough time away from him to have my shit together. JuMarion was on his best behavior for now; I just wasn’t sure how long it would last. Especially since his most recent texts had nothing to do with business.

Three days ago, the texts stopped, but that’s because he knew we had this Tokyo trip. For the next five days, it would just be the small security team of three and us. As I scrolled through my phone, another message from him popped up. I didn’t even look at him; I just opened it.

Juvie: We gon’ talk? Ion want shit to be awkward the whole time we here.

Me: Talk about what?

Both of us were being childish. We were sitting right across from each other, texting. I knew what he wanted to talk about. But if I opened that door, what would I be letting in?

Juvie: Don’t play dumb, Juicy.

Me: I’m not. It’s not awkward. Us texting right now is awkward.

Juvie: Then why you ain’t been talkin’ to me?

Me: Because how do I respond to you saying you miss me? You’re engaged. I’m in a relationship, and you are my client.

Juvie: But I do miss u.

I read the message twice, then locked my phone. Not even ten seconds later, I opened it again. What the fuck could I say to that? Juvie had my back against the wall. His missing me didn’t erase fifteen years of unanswered questions. And it didn’t change the fact that we were both in relationships.

When he disappeared, I was wrecked. One day, he was here, telling me he loved me. Promising me that we’d be together forever. Then, one day, the calls went unanswered. I popped up at his mama’s house, and she said he moved to Atlanta for school, and he didn’t want to talk to me. Ms. Mercedes cried with me because she didn’t understand why Juvie, out of nowhere, didn’t want to talk to me anymore. He just woke up one day and decided he wanted to enroll in a school hundreds of miles away.

My phone buzzed again.

Juvie: Juicy… Talk to me.

Being alone with him this long was a mistake. No one was there to distract us. I had nowhere to hide. And now we had to sit on this jet for hours, carrying years of unsaid words.

Me: I can’t.

I locked my phone and looked out the window. This shit with Juvie was too much. Emery didn’t deserve this. I was hiding shit from him. Putting Juvie’s text messages on silent. When he asked what had me so distracted, I told him it was work or nerves, but it was really the nigga sitting beside me. All in my fuckin’ head, pushing his way back into my heart. I could ignore his messages all I wanted, but for the next five days, there was no avoiding JuMarion Ross.

We finally made it to Tokyo. Checking into our suites was a breeze. Nike was so accommodating. They even had a security escort meet us at the airport. I was in my suite, making sure I didn’t forget anything. We had an hour to make it to this meeting, and I was running behind. My ear was still sizzling from burning it with my curling iron; I left my favorite lip liner at home, and my phone was vibrating for the hundredth time today. I wanted to fuckin’ scream as I snatched up my phone.

Juvie: Hurry yo’ ass up. I’m outside

This nigga was getting on my nerves too. He insisted on holding every damn door. I couldn’t carry any bags. If I tried to do anything but carry my purse and sit the fuck down, he was scolding me like my damn daddy. I grabbed my purse, sprayed a little perfume, and prayed I had everything. Before I could get out the door, my phone buzzed again. It was a text from Emery.

Em: I love you. Call me when you make it back.

I was texting him back, juggling my briefcase, my Stanley cup, and my purse when I opened the door and ran right into Juvie’s big ass.

“Took yo’ ass long enough. Gimme that bag.”

Damn… He looks good as fuck.

The nigga was fine… A blind woman could see it. He was on his best behavior, too. His grills were gone, no flashy ass jewelry. Just grown man fine. His slate grey suit was tailored to perfection. He smelled amazing. I was stuck, and for a minute, so was he. When I didn’t move fast enough, he grabbed my bag and my Stanley and started walking down the hall.

I followed him, watching him walk away, and the shit that popped into my head almost made me laugh. What did that nigga say in that song? She don’t want no puppy. She want a BIG dawg! The fact that his fiancée let this man walk around unattended, with no leash or collar, was beyond me. I’d have a microchip on this nigga.

We stopped at the elevator, and Juvie stood there, scowling. My stupid ass was standing there with googly eyes, admiring him. He glanced at me, and I straightened up fast. The elevator doors opened, and I stepped in, heading to the far corner. Juvie stepped in, pressed the lobby button, and stood right beside me. Elevators always made my stomach dip, but Juvie constantly in my space had it working overtime. He could have stood anywhere, but he chose to stand right up close to me.

My Stanley cup was big as hell, but it looked small in his hands. He licked his lips, and I bit mine, watching him. I knew I was tripping. But shit, what the fuck was I supposed to do? As long as I looked but didn’t touch. He looked down at me, and I wanted to disappear into the elevator walls.

His eyes dragged over me. “Like what you see, Juicy?”