Page 29 of Real's Love

"Cuz we got a few more people to see, then I'm ready to get you home," I muttered before getting ready to drop a kiss on her lips.

The disappointed look on her face stopped me.

"What?"

She shook her head. "Nothing."

Somewhere in the last few months, I'd decided that I didn't like her hiding shit from me. I wasn't going to let it slide now. I grabbed her other hand as she tried to step away from me.

"What I tell you about lying to me?"

She shrugged. "It's really nothing. I mean... you insisted on bringing me here. I tried to remind you what our situation is about. If you wanted to spend this morning having sex, I had some time for that. I have no problem being available to—ahh!"

She shrieked as I pulled her into me, slamming our bodies together. I mugged her little confused ass.

"You talking about it's nothing, but it's obvious the shit made you feel a way. I'on know what kinda simplistic shit you on, but I can want to spend time in and out of bed with you. I wanted you with me while I was out this morning, but I also want to fuck the shit out of you. Look Ev, I wasn't expecting to feel this thing between us, either, but you don't see my brain about to explode because it happened. Stop tryna make everything black or white. We some cool ass people. It makes sense that we wanna chill with each other sometimes. Okay?" I said.

"Real—"

I silenced her objections with a hard little kiss. Looking down at her again, I repeated, "Okay?"

She blinked those big eyes up at me before nodding.

"Okay," she whispered.

Satisfied, I led her to the next shop I wanted to visit. It wasn't open yet, but I'd texted my tenant to let her know I was stopping by. She was busy arranging a dress in her front window, but she stopped to let us in, a small smile on her face. That was a big deal. Madame G—as she preferred to be called—had a badass resting bitch face. She was one of my favorites, an old-school dressmaker, even though she was only in her thirties, with a past she didn't talk about and a following that was growing like crazy. I made the introductions, and she sized Ev up before nodding.

"Yes. I can dress her," she announced, her voice accented and decisive.

I laughed.

"We aren't here for that. Unless she wants..."

I looked at Ev, waiting. Swear the way I didn't mind tricking on this woman was not a good look for me. She smiled at me.

"I'm good," she murmured, but she handed me her coffee so she could walk around the shop.

Madame G and I ducked off to her office and talked about the business, everything from foot traffic to her projections. Things were good for her, and I was glad. I moved to give her a quick hug goodbye but stopped when I saw that her little smile had returned.

"What, Madame?" I asked.

"I make the wedding dress of mayor's daughter. She is lovely woman. Curvy, like your beauty. I have much experience with dressing the fuller girls. I will do good job on her wedding dress. She will be even more beautiful bride for you," she said before clapping once.

I shook my head vigorously. Shorty had this situation all fucked up.

"Ay, whoa, lady. Pump yo' brakes. We ain't getting?—"

She held up a hand.

"You never bring girl, Montréal. Now, you bring girl and your eyes, they follow her. You talk to me very quickly so you may see her again. Madame G knows. I will get measurements soon. Make beautiful dress for your beautiful girl."

Clasping her hands below her breasts, she nodded, as if everything was settled. I wasn't about to argue.

"You trippin', Madame, but okay."

Smiling, she ushered me out of her office. We left her a few minutes later, after she studied Ev some more and gave me an unexpected wink.

Ev grabbed her coffee as soon as we were back on the sidewalk. She took a long sip before she began talking, her voice excited.

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