Page 54 of Real's Love

“Yeah, well… this is my friend, Abbra. Abbra, this is my?—”

“Ev,” I said, my own fake smile in place. “So nice to meet you.”

He started to say something more, but the woman, Abbra, cut in, her voice sweet but slightly patronizing. “Oh, you must be the Ev he just mentioned! Beautiful as you are, I’m surprised I haven’t heard more about you. Our families go way back, and our mothers love to gossip when we’re all having dinner.” She leaned closer to Real, and I struggled to maintain my composure as a smile that felt all too smug stretched her lips.

“No surprise,” I responded, the words tasting sour in my mouth. “We’re just… acquaintances.”

The word felt like a lie, but I couldn’t let her see it. I wouldn’t let my heartache show, even as he had the nerve to look at me like I was crazy. “I’m actually running late,” I added, taking a step back, urgency flooding my system. “I should head out. Again, so nice to meet you, Abbra. Real, it was nice to run into you. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

I was proud of how breezy my voice sounded, how light my smile felt, even though it faltered when he bit out, “Count on it, shorty.”

With a little nod, I turned sharply and walked away, my footsteps quickening with each passing second. Inside, my heart beat too damn fast as my thoughts spiraled into a whirlwind of disbelief and hurt. Why did I feel this way? Why did seeing him with someone else cut so deep? I hated that I was losing it over a guy I didn’t plan to fall for in the first place.

What was I even doing? I had promised never to forget. It was a promise I intended to keep.

(The Present)

It was funny to me how, years ago, we moved away from cable to the promise of cheaper streaming services that claimed to offer more options for our viewing entertainment, only to end up spending as much money as we did on cable and finding as little to watch. Sighing, I tossed the remote on my nightstand and flopped back on my pillows. If I were being honest with myself, I’d admit that it wouldn’t have mattered what came across my screen. The only entertainment I was interested in came packed in a delectable, six-foot-four package. Montréal Hamilton hadn’t been in touch and after last night, I didn’t know if he would be. I shouldn’t be messed up about that, but he was right. I was feeling way more than what was safe for my sanity.

Suddenly, one of my phones vibrated from the nightstand. For one second, my heart rate sped up as reluctant hope unfolded inside of me. That hope was quickly crushed when I realized that it was my family phone ringing. I lifted it and couldn’t help smiling when I saw Pip’s name. Swiping, I hurriedly answered her video call.

“Everly Love,” she sang in a playful voice, her pretty face suddenly appearing.

I smiled at her silly self, glad to hear from my cousin/bestie.

“Hey, Epiphany Faith. How are you?”

Pip shrugged. “This call is about you. Well, about you and that gorgeous gift from God named Montréal Hamilton. Matter of fact, I thought you took this next week off for your birthday. Why aren’t you riding to Canada right now?” she asked coyly.

See, this lady knew how to brighten my mood immediately.

“First of all, corny ass girl, that sounds like some mess Aunt Cynt would say. Second of all, you don’t even know what he looks like,” I scolded, grinning.

“I probably sound like my TeTe cuz I miss her, and you know damn well I googled Mr. Montréal the minute you mentioned him and again when you went past a year… ‘involved.’”

Surprised, I just held the phone for a few seconds before sighing.

“Well, it won’t be much past a year at this rate. We had a disagreement,” I mumbled.

“The wonderful spirit of Epiphany never fails. I knew I needed to call. What’s up, cousin?”

For the next several minutes, I spilled everything to her. How Real tested all my boundaries and rules. How I didn’t mind as much as I should. How his behavior seemed to be leaning toward wanting something else… almost.

“Almost?” Pip laughed softly. “It ‘almost’ seems like he wants something else? Cousin, you can’t be that dense. He took you to meet his mama?—"

“He wanted me to try her food,” I pointed out.

“He doesn’t like seeing you with other men,” she pressed.

I shook my head. “He just thinks I’m violating our agreement.”

“He’s breaking all your rules.”

“He’s a rebel. That’s what they do.”

“Ugh!” Pip sighed dramatically. “Everly! Why can’t you accept that that man and you are catching feelings beyond that agreement?”

I shrugged. “That’s not allowed, and I don’t have time.”

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