Page 15 of So I Know it's Real

For the second time, I watched my phone ring in my passenger seat with no desire to answer it. I didn’t want to speak to Davis and soil my good mood right before work, yet I knew trying to avoid him was pointless since we were working at the same location.

“Yes, Davis,” I answered. Irritation took over my tone.

“Don’t sound like that when I call, Clover. What are you doing?”

“I’m driving since you insisted on us taking separate cars to the same place.”

His obnoxious chuckle captured the line. “Baby, why are you acting like we live together, and I left you at home? You won’t take our situation to the next level, but you want me to play Uber.”

“No, I just expect you to be a gentleman.”

Davis and I had been dating for a couple of months, and we hadn’t made much progress in ourrelationship. Initially, he gave off the vibe of a reformed corner boy who owned a tow truck company. Although those things were true, about a month ago, I discovered Davis aspired to be a rapper.

“Clover, it’s obvious you’re not feeling me right now. We should talk when you can at least pretend you’re happy to speak to me.”

“In that case, we may never speak again. Aside from the ride situation, you all but asked me to pretend like I don’t know you while we work.”

“So what? I’m trying to build my image. I can’t have people think I’m in a relationship. No rapper does that.”

I rolled my eyes, annoyed by something I had heard one too many times in the past week.

“Davis, I never asked to be your lady. We are dating, and I made it clear what I can offer. To be honest, you’re not a good look formyimage. You’re a thirty-two-year-old struggling rapper with three kids by two women. You aren’t a prize to be won. You’re just pretty to look at.”

He whistled. “Damn. That’s how you feel? My manager didn’t say we couldn’t still—”

“Davis, leave it be. Your manager is your cousin who is a well-known scammer. Taking advice from him is like taking cooking advice from someone who puts garlic powder in their eggs.” I freed an open-mouthed huff when I detected I was holding my breath. “Listen, although I don’t agree with your moves, I respect what you’re striving toward. I just don’t want to be a part of it. I’ll see you around.”

I ended the call as I drove up the curved driveway leading to my workplace for the day. I had worked as a server and housekeeper for the rich and famous, but this estate was on another level, structured with three buildings, each holding its own entrance.

From the day I secured a work permit, I stayed on someone’s payroll. My parents were adamant about me and my sister being independent, so we had to pay rent when we wanted to buy cars.Back then, I couldn’t understand their logic, but as I got older, I realized that experience prepared me for the real world.

Before I exited my car, I grabbed my lunch bag and looked at the email the staffing company sent me. I followed the instructions, entered the kitchen through a side door, and thankfully, I ran into a familiar face.

“Clover, I’m so happy you’re here!” Karlie cheered as we embraced. “I swear, you always know how to make a simple outfit pop!”

I knew she was referring to my Prada clip-on earrings and the matching brooch I added to my white button down.

“I keep telling you the thrift stores in rich neighborhoods got the goods.”

“Next time you go, I’m going with you,” she declared while looking over my shoulder. “Davis didn’t ride with you? The DJ is looking for him.”

Embarrassment caused my cheeks to grow hot. Karlie was my girl, but if I spoke of the discussion I had with Davis, we would get no work done.

“Hmm…” I ran my hand over my slicked down ponytail. “He wasn’t sure how long he would be here, so we took separate cars. Did Regina mention the details of my assignment?”

“You’re serving with me, so wash up. Once you’re done, we can take appetizers outside.”

Upward of forty people occupied the yard, surrounding the pool while others chilled on a platform that overlooked the scene. Most of the women wore bikinis that would never touch water, and the men wore sunglasses that probably cost more than my salary for the day. There had to be millions of dollars worth of jewelry in the vicinity, yet I knew the cross hanging from my gold necklace was worth more.

With a serving tray secure in one hand, and the other behind my back, I silently served the partygoers. Some people werepolite enough to acknowledge my presence, and others treated me like a pestering fly. I made it two hours into my shift with no issues. However, the instant my eyes found Davis, I recognized another man I knew only a few inches away.

“Karlie. Karlie!” I chanted her name before she could get too far. “Is that Essen’s cousin?”

“What? Where?” Her eyes trailed the path of my finger. “Damn. That is him. I wonder what he’s doing here?”

Dressed in black overalls with a Prada logo in the center and nothing underneath, Durk’s muscular arms shined as bright as his jewelry. A bucket hat hung low over his eyes, but the toothpick hanging from his lips confirmed it was him. Since our introduction, he haunted my dreams. It was probably because his jacket hung in my closet, smelling of rosewood and a hint of weed.

“How about we find out why he’s here instead of staring like a pair of stalkers?” Karlie suggested.

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