Page 66 of Smoke

Mia sighed. “We were having a girls’ day. We don’t get too many of those, hence the reason you weren’t invited.”

“And the reason you don’t see your brothers,” Salima added.

Shar chimed in. “In other words, get the fuck out.”

“Hold up, now. Y’all ain’t ganging up on me.”

“Shouldn’t you be somewhere with Romi?” Shar asked with a smirk.

“Right,” Mia agreed. “Kaylynn told us all about the way you act when she comes into the shop.”

I kissed my teeth. “See, now I have to fire your cousin. I don’t act any type of way. I’m enjoying her company. Jaeda, I have a lil’ friend to play Legos with.”

She giggled. “Don’t tell me you and her daughter are cool already?”

“We’ll get there. She loves Legos, and I told her about your basement.”

“Now you know I don’t allow anybody in my basement.”

Mia rolled her eyes. “Of course, nobody can play with her precious toys.”

Jaeda waved her off. “They are collectibles. There is a difference. Buy you a toy if you want to play with one.”

Shar snickered. “I’m sure she has a drawer full.”

Mia stuck a middle finger up at her. “I don’t need a toy when I have?—”

“Titan!” we all said.

“I can’t stand y’all!” She crossed her arms. “Anyway! You don’t have to lie, Smoke. We saw you two at the wedding. You were cute together. I never expected you to be into pregnant women, but hey, whatever floats your boat.”

“You know we’re waiting on you to bring her around,” Salima said. “Our little sister circle is growing! Now if we can find Jaeda a man and Mia and Titan get it together, we can add to the brother fold!”

I stared blankly at her. “You know, I hate that you’re so damn optimistic, Salima.”

“Yeah,” Mia agreed. “Then you’re so happy about that shit. Me and Titan fucking DeLuca will never have anything worth bringing him into the family.”

Shar threw a hand in her face. “Girl, please stop lying to yourself. You love to hate that man. I don’t know why y’all act the way you do with each other then turn around and be in each other’s skin.”

Jaeda clapped her hands. “Same shit I’ve been saying.”

Mia waved them both off. “Get off my dick.”

Jaeda shot back, “Get off his first.”

“Get some dick, then talk to me.”

They started going back and forth while I sat there eating their popcorn.

Shar turned to me. “See what you and your negative energy did? We were having a quiet, relaxing day, and here you come fucking up the vibe.”

“That ain’t on me. I need Jaeda’s help.”

Jaeda sighed. “What now?”

“I need you to run a background on Patrick Lastrange.”

Shar and Salima passed a look between each other, then looked at me.

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