Page 130 of One Good Reason

“That’s all it better be.” Promise smirked. “I’m territorial about that one right there.”

“Me too!” Rossi joked with her.

“Come on clown!” Marsha grabbed his hand and drug him away.

“You really have to look over him, he’s very colorful.”

“I’m not paying him any attention. I have a gay guy friend; believe me I know how they act.”

“Good,” I breathed. “I don’t want you to be offended or anything.”

“Never,” she avowed and took a sip from her cup. Peering over the rim at me she asked, “So, you and Dutch?”

“Who?”

“My bad, Law. Drix calls him Dutch.”

“Oh okay. I never heard of anyone refer to him as that.”

“It’s probably an inside thing. But don’t evade the question. The two of you are a thing?”

“We’re newly a thing. It started out as us just working together.”

“That’s always how it starts out. You’re a good look for him. I don’t know much about his ex but from the way baby described her, no one really cared for her.”

“Well, those two over there.” I tossed my head in Marsha and Rossi’s direction. “They adore her. I’ve only heard good things about her.”

“Drix said she was stuffy so when he mentioned that Dutch was with dating someone else, naturally I assumed you would be as well. This is the first time I’m meeting him in person. I mean,we’ve talked on the phone a few times and I never got snob from him so I’m glad to see you’re different than what I expected.”

“Glad I met your expectations.” I laughed lightly. “I’ve met his other set of friends, and I must say I’m fonder of this group. Those were the snobby rich ones. I’m grateful for them because they’ve assisted with making the school a thing but I’m from the country that’s not my crowd.”

“I come from that crowd.”

“I’m sorry, Promise. I wasn’t trying to offend you.”

“I’m the last person that you can offend. I was getting ready to say I come from that crowd and don’t fit in. Never have. My parents loathe my relationship with Hendrix because he’s not from our pedigree.”

“That’s gotta be difficult.”

“It’s not. I don’t care enough to appease them.” She shrugged dismissively. “I love him and that’s all that matters.”

“I love you already!” I gushed. “We have got to get together outside of this.”

“Our men are friends. I don’t expect this to be the last time we see each other.”

“I hope not.”

The notes from Law’s cologne tickled my nose, letting me know that he’d made his way back into the suite. Snapping my eyes away from Promise, I searched around the room until they landed on him. He was in the corner of the room helping his mama out of the wheelchair. She looked well put together. Her salt and pepper hair were in big barrel curls and hung down past her shoulder. Instead of being in Demonsgear, she wore a black blazer and a red shirt underneath.

The expensive jewelry she wore gave off rich bitch vibes which I knew she was because Law often gripped about her running up a tab in a few designer stores. The tall light-skinned guy standing with them I assumed was his brother. Once he hadher out of the chair and seated, his eyes roamed around the room until they locked with mine. Motioning with his head, he called me over.

Turning to Promise, I let her know that I’d be back. When I got close to where the three of them were Law reached out and grabbed my hand. “Talitha, this is my mother Valerie and my little brother Sincere.”

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about both of you.”

“What’s up, sis?” Sincere wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “If this nigga gives you any problems, you holla at me. You can call me Preme or Supreme.”

“Your name is Sincere.” Their mama chided. “Talitha, was it? It’s so nice to meet you. I don’t know what my son has told you about me, but I hope the two of us can get together and chat. I know Lawton doesn’t speak highly of me so if I can change your perception of me, I would love that opportunity.”

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