Page 104 of Smoke

“Devin… how much is this?”

“A half a million. You can take that and start your skin care line. I’ll match it.”

“Devin.”

“Romi.”

“Smoke!”

He chuckled. “You don’t even sound right calling me that, woman. I’m not gonna argue with you about this. Even if you don’t take it, I’ll make sure you get it in some way. Save us both the trouble.”

Messing with this man, I wasn’t going to have many more tears to shed. That night, after we got back to my place, I got Korri ready for bed. Devin and I showered together, and I found myself on my knees giving him a proper thank you.

It was Monday, and I was finally going to stop by my shop to visit and check on things. I’d been accessing everything frommy system at home since I’d been out, and the numbers looked good. Danielle had been keeping me up-to-date on the ins and outs. I just wanted to pop in for a second to see everyone.

I’d stopped to see Juri for a little while before heading to the shop. It was around noon when I got there. Instead of going through the back like I normally did, I went in through the front. When I walked in, Danielle screamed as she jumped up from her seat.

“Boss lady!” She scooped me up in a hug. “It’s so good to see you!”

I laughed. “It’s good to see you too, Danielle.”

“Let me get a look at you!” She spun me around and snapped her fingers. “That snapback, though! Who had a baby?” Again, she pulled me into a hug. “We miss you, girl.”

“I miss y’all too. It’s weird being on maternity leave after eight years. I really have a whole newborn. A preemie at that.”

“We all hated to hear that you fell and went into labor, but we’re so glad you and baby girl are okay.” She pulled me into a quiet corner. “How are you for real, though? We heard about Patrick.”

“I’m fine, Danielle. Patrick and I have been over for months, and he didn’t want this baby. It’s sad he lost his life, but I don’t feel any type of way about that man.”

“I guess you haven’t heard…”

“Heard what?”

“Laurel is missing and a person of interest,” she whispered.

“Yeah… I heard that.”

“Apparently, they found all kinds of incriminating shit on her in her apartment. I heard it looked like she packed in a hurry and left town. They found her car abandoned on the side of the road. I can’t believe she would play in your face like that, Romi. Your opps are really closer than you think.” She shook her head. “Anyway, how is that beautiful baby?”

“She’s progressing. I actually just left her. I’m heading back after this. I just wanted to see y’all’s faces and check things out.”

“I told you I got this, girl. We’ve been on the grind after Big Daddy promised us that bag. Please don’t take offense to me calling him that. He’s just a big, fine man.”

I giggled. “I know, and I’m not offended.”

“So um… did you climb that tree yet?” She winked at me.

“No, Danielle. I’m still healing.”

“So what I’m hearing is if you weren’t healing, you’d be all up on him.”

“Like white on rice.”

“I know that’s right! I love that for you. I hope he’s good to you and those girls. We love a good stepdaddy.”

“He’s great… He really is.”

That was the truth. Devin Dillinger was all man, and what a man he was. I almost told that man I loved him this weekend. It was too soon. I still had so much to learn about him, but every part I’d experienced over the last two months, I’d grown to love. How could I not love him after all he’d done and been to me?

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