Page 12 of Pills and Potions: Kase
“Okay, I’m gonna go double-check these numbers,” she mumbled, already clutchin’ her tote like it was armor. “I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t forget to fix that button,” I called after her, eyes trailing the swing of her cardigan. “Lookin’ like you got dressed in the dark.”
She ain’t answer, but I heard her mumblin’ all the way down the hall. I leaned back, took another sip, and smiled. I had her flustered, and I liked it.
While she was gone, I scrolled through my phone. I had notifications out the ass. Mostly old joints hittin’ me up, but Kay Kay’s name was poppin’ more than a few times. She had been on my line heavy ever since I cut her off. She was cool for a minute, freaky, fun, but she had a kid, and I wasn’t ‘bout to play stepdadjust ‘cause we had a few wild nights. I hit her with astop callin’ metext and kept it pushin’.
An hour later, Blyss came back in holdin’ my books tight like they were a damn baby. Walked straight over, set ‘em down, adjusted them glasses.
“They’re all done,” she said, voice soft but steady.
“Bet.” I leaned back, eyes skimming the stack. “You hungry or somethin’? I could throw you a plate or somethin’.”
She scoffed. “I didn’t come here to be fed. This was a favor. That’s it.”
I cocked my head and smirked. “A favor? Girl, you act like I ain’t doin’youa favor lettin’ you sit in my office.”
“I didn’t ask to sit in your office,” she shot back, clingin’ to her tote like she was ready to bounce.
I nodded once. “Yeah… but you ain’t leave either, so it must be something here you like.” I held my hands out wide, allowing her to take it all in.
That made her eyes widen. And she got really quiet after that.
She turned toward the door without sayin’ another word, and I watched her walk, cardigan swingin’ behind her like it had a damn attitude. Yeah, she was somethin’ else. Annoyin’ as hell sometimes, but smart, sweet, and got under my skin more than I liked to admit. Before she could reach the door, there was a light knock followed by Porcha’s voice crackin’ through the intercom.
“Boss? Denise’s downstairs. You want me to let her up?”
I glanced at Blyss, still halfway to the door, and then back at the intercom button.
“Yeah, let her come up,” I said, casual, like it was nothin’. “Tell her the door is open.”
That made Blyss pause, only for a second. But I caught it.
Her fingers tightened around her tote, lips pressed tight. She didn’t look at me, just gave a stiff nod and kept walkin’. That quiet kind of hurt? It hit different. But I didn’t let it show. Rightas she grabbed the handle, Denise walked in like she owned the damn place, long weave, tight dress, heels too damn high for somethin’ that early in the day.
“Oh, you busy?” she asked, glancin’ at Blyss like she was the maid or somethin’.
“Nah,” I said, leanin’ back on the couch, cool as ever. “We done here.”
Blyss stiffened. Jaw clenched just enough for me to catch it.
She didn’t say nothin’, just nodded again, this time tighter, quieter. Clutchin’ her tote like it held whatever dignity she had left.
“You can show yourself out,” I added, still not lookin’ her way.
She blinked, once… twice. Like she wasn’t sure if I was serious or just that cold. Yet, I was both.
Denise laughed low and fake, already strutting over to kiss my cheek like she had a spot to reclaim. Blyss stepped out the room silently, but her shoulders squared before she closed the door. It was like she was holdin’ on to whatever pride I hadn’t already stomped on.
After Blyss left, I went to sit at my desk, leanin’ back like I owned the whole damn block, and Denise came around behind me, hands on my shoulders, like she was tryna remind me why she was still in the picture. She started rubbin’ my back, leanin’ in close, perfume loud and sweet. Talkin’ ‘bout a trip she wanted to take or some rooftop brunch she saw on Instagram. I let her talk. Let her touch. Didn’t say much. While she played girlfriend, I stayed focused, checked my phone, sent a couple of messages, and lined up a bottle order for Knight. Then I decided to give her some attention. I turned slowly in the chair, eyes dragging over her like I was just now noticing she existed. My hands slid to her hips, and I pulled her onto my lap.
“You still here?” I mumbled, lazy smirk curvin’ my lips.
She fake laughed, leaned in like I was the prize. “Don’t start.”
I didn’t. I just ran my hand down the back of her thigh, watching her squirm like that little touch meant something.
“I’m gonna give you the VIP suite for tonight,” I said, voice low. “You can wear that red thing, I like.”
