Page 29 of In the Lonely Hour

“Not on purpose. She was tripping over us being separated and not divorced. Jasmine wanted some kind of commitment to prove I wouldn’t leave her and come back fully to you. That’s why I proposed. I wasn’t expecting you to agree to the divorce this soon. My plan was for us to just draw the shit out until she got sick of waiting and left. So when I saw how you would look at him… the way you used to look at me… I started feeling some kind of way. He was always around, and I felt like that was supposed to be me. Then I saw you kiss him, and that was it for me.”

“Why didn’t you say anything instead of acting so silly? I feel like I haven’t even been able to recognize you lately!”

“I know.” He pulled her hand back into his and kissed her palm sweetly. “And I really apologize about that. I didn’t know what else to do, Lay. For a while now I’ve been out here living foul. It wouldn’t have been fair of me to try and make a big deal out of you moving on, so I tried to make it about Dior thinking you’d agree.”

“So what if I would have agreed, Carlos? How did you plan to fix this?” she asked, for clarity more than anything.

“I was going to come back home. Make things right. Be who you and Dior needed me to be. I would have slowly proven that you both could trust me and make you fall back in love with me all at once.”

Layla removed her hand from his again, body radiating with a mix of anger and disbelief. It was just like him to wait until she’d began to release him from her heart to want access to it and her again.

“Carlos…”

“Just… I have a meeting in about fifteen minutes that I can’t miss. Please, Layla. Let me meet you at home and we can talk about this further. If you don’t agree to what I’m saying, I swear to God I’ll have my lawyer draw up the divorce papers first thing in the morning, and I will never ask you for another chance again. Give me today. Don’t talk to him or anyone else that could sway your mind. Please.”

He stood, cupping her cheeks and kissing her lips quickly. Softly. Sweetly. Before walking away. Layla didn’t realize how second nature it was for her to call Andres until her finger was hovering over his name. Looking down, Layla’s head shook slowly as she stared at her open, empty hands. How did they even get to this point, and what the fuck was she going to do now?

Dior’s Fine Ass Mama: Don’t wait on me.

Andres stared at Layla’s text. Unsure what it even meant. His reply of,Expand, had gone ignored. Actually, it hadn’t even been delivered. He could only assume it was because she didn’t have service, but that didn’t make sense either. Still, Andres had an easier time believing that than she’d blocked him. Last night, they made love until their bodies crashed. This morning, she promised to call him as soon as her meeting with Carlos was over, and he hadn’t heard from her yet.

Was she still with him?

Was that why she’d sent that cryptic message?

“Who is this meeting with, and how long is it going to take?” Andres checked, putting his phone back in his pocket. “I got some shit I need to do.”

Dedrick’s head shook as he sat up in his office chair. “I don’t know, son. He should be here soon.”

Andres massaged his temples, trying not to get irritated. When his father called and told him they had a meeting with a potential sponsor, he didn’t see the need for his presence. Unless the man wanted to donate to his sector of the foundation specifically, they could have just briefed him on the details later at home. He was anxious to get to Layla and find out what the fuck was going on.

The light tapping on the door gained his attention. His body and jaw stiffened immediately at the sight of Carlos behind one of the center’s assistants.

“Mr. Benson has arrived.”

Dedrick and Trevor stood while Andres remained seated. He had no desire to shake Carlos’s hand, especially since he didn’t know what the hell he was up to.

“I appreciate you all meeting with me on such short notice,” Carlos spoke, shaking their hands.

Marilyn’s eyes were on her son, while his remained on Carlos.

“Well when we get a call from a potential donor offering a six figure annual gift, we have no problem shifting our schedule so that we can meet,” Marilyn replied, using her right hand to usher Carlos into his seat—which happened to be across from Andres.

“We take it you wanted more information on the foundation from its founders?” Dedrick confirmed, causing Carlos to shake his head with a soft smile.

“Not at all.” He opened his black portfolio and pulled out a check. “This is a check for a quarter of a million dollars from me and my company, AmearuTech. It’s yours now and once a year as long as we are in business, but with one stipulation.”

Carlos slid the check across the table to Dedrick.

“Which is?”

“Keep Andres away from my family.” All eyes were on Andres as Carlos continued. “I will admit that when he first started working with my daughter, my wife and I had fallen on hard times. We are now committed to making our marriage work, so their affair needs to be over. If not, not only will I rescind my donation, but I will make sure every news media outlet in Memphis and beyond knows The Martin Foundation makes a habit out of fucking the mothers of the autistic children they’re supposed to be helping.” Carlos stood, eyes still locked with Andres. “Stay the fuck away from Layla. I’m moving back home today, and your services are no longer needed. I hope we don’t have to have this conversation again.”

“Bruh, the fuck is this nigga talking about?” Trevor asked, standing from his seat. “You want me to knock his ass out?”

Andres smiled. “Nah, I already did. That’s why his ass is in here now, ’cause he know how I come.”

“Like I said… stay away from my wife.”

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