Page 54 of D.I.E.T. (Did I Eat That?)

“Don’t.” The tears practically choked me. “Your sister told me you bought her a ring, ready to propose, when she ended things.”

“So?”

“So? So you’re in constant contact with the love of your life and people overheard you and Brandon arguing.”

Sinjin stepped back like I’d slugged him in the gut.Yeah, sucks to get caught, doesn’t it?

“You found out who I was when we met at bootcamp and used me as your way to get to Brandon.” I wiped at my eyes. “I can’t be mad because you told me as much. You saw your opportunity. And there was me—stupid, stupid Geet, seeing hearts and flowers, telling you I loved you, that I missed you. You never said it back. You had plans for us. Might as well get sex out of it, right? Can’t deny we went wild between the sheets.” I turned right around to leave the room and Sinjin behind.

“Get back here,” he yelled. “We’re not done.”

Oh, we were totally done.

I walked out to the front of the salon to where Dion had Mrs. Bennett in the chair wetting her hair down.

“Geet?” Dion asked.

I wiped at my eyes again. “Can you please tell my clients I went home sick today?”

“Baby girl—” he started, only to be cut off by Sinjin, who’d followed me out of the room still wearing only a sheet.

“You had your say,” he snapped. “It’s my turn now.”

My pretty, fluffy Billie Jean followed him out of my room. I bent down to scoop her up, pressing my face against her fur. “No—just go.”

“Geet, I swear I’ll drop my sheet if you don’t turn around and talk to me.”

“I wouldn’t turn around,” Mrs. Bennett said. “Call his bluff, dear.”

Through my tears, I laughed. Mrs. Bennettwouldwant Sinjin to drop his sheet. She was a feisty old broad. I didn’t turn, but I also didn’t leave, either. The next thing I knew, his hand came down on my arm to spin me around to face him.

“Number one: Vanessa isn’t the love of my life. I’m not sure where you got that notion, but she and I are over. I don’t care if she wants me back or not.Idon’t wantherback. I’m in love with you, you blasted woman. Head-over-heels, freaking crazy about you. Number two: The opportunity I talked about was a life with you. You get me more than anyone. You push me to be better. Number three: Despite what Brandon said, I went with you because you’re my woman and I wanted to go on the trip with you. Brandon got mad that he actually had to do work. He thought I should be able to take care of it all—but it’s not my company.”

“But he said—”

“I don’t care what he said. I couldn’t have known when I met you that I’d see Brandon. Even working here didn’t ensure that because how would I know the Kami connection? I met a gorgeous woman I wanted to get to know, and when I did, I fell hard.”

“He sounds sincere, Brigeeta, dear,” Mrs. Bennett said.

“Of course, I’m sincere, Geet. I’m gone for you. I missed you when you freaked out on me last time. I missed you when you left me at the airport and wouldn’t answer my calls or the door when I showed at your place begging you to let me in so we could talk. All your neighbors heard me. We should’ve been recuperating from the jetlag together. Preferably in bed.”

When I said nothing, he launched. It was as if there weren’t any other people in the room with us the way he kissed me. He brought his hands up to hold my cheek and my neck squishing the kitty between us, then I felt his sheet drop down to our feet.

“Oh my,” Mrs. Bennett whispered at the same time Dion whispered, “Thank you, Jesus.”

“I just flashed the salon for you,” Sinjin said, pressing his forehead to mine.

I laughed. “It appears so.” Then I bent down to pick up the sheet.

“Don’t cover up on our account,” Mrs. Bennett mused.

“I love you, Geet, but you can’t take off every time something comes up. If we’re in this, then you need to talk to me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I get it, but promise me right now, sunshine. Promise me that you’ll stick it out and talk to me about things that bother you. Not run off.”

“I promise to try. I can’t guarantee I won’t slip up.”

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