Page 126 of Meraux Mafia: No Ordinary Love

“You do when you’re up to something.”

“I need some advice about Sky, and I’m hungry, so let’s kill two birds with one stone.”

Her lips hiked, not buying anything I said, but Lo didn’t call me out on it. I stepped inside while she went upstairs to get herself together. Gi went to his parent’s house with Serenity to give Hailo some alone time since he would be back at work soon. It was the perfect opportunity to pick her brain about the things she held inside.

It was no guarantee Hailo would be honest with me, but I was hoping our bond was strong enough that she’d let me in.

“You could’ve given me a heads up, you know,” Hailo fussed, walking down the stairs.

“So you could have time to make up a bunch of excuses. Not a chance.”

“It’s not like you would’ve let me off the hook anyway.”

“You’re right. Let’s go,” I smiled, heading for the door.

Hailo locked up the house, and we made our way downtown. After I parked, we took a short walk to the restaurant. I was amused at the confident way Hailo strutted in front of me, ignoring the stares and whispers from women who envied Mrs. Gianni Meraux. It was impossible to miss, but she didn’t care or had a hell of a poker face.

Once we walked inside, we were immediately seated on the patio at Hailo’s request.

“Have you ever been here before?” she asked, observing the menu.

“A time or two.”

“So, what’s going on with Sky?”

“What’s going on with you?” I asked, and she lowered the menu enough for me to see her stern expression. “You haven’t been yourself lately. I just wanted to check on you, and don’t give me that bullshit about not knowing you well enough to make that assessment.”

“Did Gianni put you up to this?”

“He didn’t.”

She didn’t immediately reply, studying me to decipher if I was lying. I wasn’t. I called Gi to see what he was up to and when he mentioned taking Serenity to his parents, I made time.

“He loves you for real. If you’re not okay, he won’t be either, and that’s not good for anybody, so I’m asking. How have you been?”

“It’s not Gianni. He’s been great. Too great some days. It makes me feel bad because I’m a wreck. He doesn’t let it bother him. He keeps showing up, and I appreciate it. I’m just not used to it, so it feels weird,” she admitted.

“Get used to it. That nigga loves you, so he’s not letting up.”

“He does,” she smiled in a way that let me know the feeling was mutual. “So, I’m working on it. Some days are overwhelming. I miss my mom and my friends. I know I have people here, but it’s not the same. Sky says I need to be patient with myself, so I’m trying to take it one day at a time.”

“I told you it was far worst nigga’s for you to be stuck with. You’re welcome.”

“Yeah, well, you need to find a way around this stupid rule so I can say I told you so, too,” Hailo replied, taking a lot longer than I thought it would for her to flip the conversation on me.

“I’m working on it.”

“Come again?” Hailo smiled, clearing her throat as she leaned in. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“It’s not me that needs convincing. It’s Sky.”

“She’s scared, Mack. I don’t know much about Sky, but she hasn’t had good luck with men either. Prove to her that she can let go and watch how big she smiles. Ultimately that’s all we want,” Hailo paused, hoping I missed the double meaning of her last statement. “You’ll have to put your foot down if that's what you want. Sky is scared and stubborn, but don’t let her run. That’s the only way,” Hailo advised.

“Does that work when Gi does it with you?” I asked.

“Yeah, but don’t tell him I said that,” she pointed, swearing me to secrecy.

“Only if you do something for me.”

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