Page 68 of Smoke

Something told me I was going to pay Derrick Mathis a little visit.

After leaving my sisters,I ventured into town. Since I didn’t have any sessions today, I took the day off and left Kaylynn’s snitching ass in charge. It was around lunchtime, so I decided to stop by Romi’s shop. When I walked into the beautybar, all eyes fell on me. A few women whispered and pointed at me with lustful looks. I wasn’t a cocky nigga, but I was used to these looks.

Approaching the receptionist’s desk, I spoke to the girl I now knew as Laurel.

“What’s up?”

She looked up at me with a stoic expression. “Can I help you?”

“Is Romi busy?”

“I mean, you are in her place of business.”

“No shit. When is she taking lunch?”

“When she’s free.”

I chuckled. “Me and you got beef? ’Cause every time I come in here, you giving me this stank ass face. What’s up? There must be a reason you have all this fucking animosity.”

She leaned forward and spoke lowly. “What do you want with Romi? What are you getting out of —”

“Let me stop you right there. You don’t need to worry about shit me and your boss have going on, baby. She’s in good hands.”

“That remains to be seen.”

Just as I was about to say something, Romi walked out front. When she saw me, she smiled.

“Hey, you,” she said, coming over.

“Hey, beautiful.”

I slid my arm around her waist and pulled her into me before dropping a kiss on her lips. A few women in the shop whistled and snapped their fingers. Romi giggled and covered her face. She was so damn cute.

“You hungry?” I asked, cupping her chin.

“I was actually about to take lunch, so you’re right on time. Laurel, I’ll be back.”

Laurel gave a fake ass smile. “Sure thing.”

Grabbing Romi’s hand, I led her out of the shop, tossing a glare at Laurel as the door closed. Once we made it to my car, I helped Romi inside, then climbed in myself.

“Aye, how long has Laurel worked for you?” I asked, cranking up and pulling off.

“About three years now. Why?”

“She like women or something? I mean, no judgment if she does. She just seems to have an issue with me every time I come in there.”

“An issue?”

“She keeps giving me these looks. Like she doesn’t want me around you. You trust her?”

“I do. I mean, she hasn’t given me a reason not to trust her. I’m sure she’s just protective, given my circumstances.”

“Yeah, okay. Just be careful with that one. I can always spot a snake.”

She sat back in the seat and crossed her arms with a perplexed look on her face. She seemed to be thinking hard about something.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked.

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