Page 67 of Cause When You Love Someone
Kelis removed her glasses, then reclined in her seat. “Well, Clarke, even though you’re terminating your manager, she’s entitled to revenue on deals she secured on your behalf.”
“That’s fine. I’m not against sharing the money. I just don’t want to share the same space.”
Sage fanned himself. “Whew. This feels like a divorce.”
“More like a healthy separation,” I replied.
“Healthy?” Sage quizzed. “You know your mom better than that. She already goes crazy when you go missing. Imagine what she is going to do when she learns you cut her off.”
“I expect it, and I can handle it. I just want my freedom. My mom separated me from anyone who loved me differently, even when she wasn’t loving me right. I won’t allow her to play games with my baby.”
Kelis’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “So the rumors are true? Are you and Chaz coming to see me about a prenup next?”
“No.” My head fell. Not out of shame, but because I yearned for the man whose baby I carried. “I’m not having a baby with Chaz.”
“Oh.”
“You don’t have to worry. Ishmael isn’t the type of man who would come after my money or assets.”
“Ishmael? Your bodyguard?” She pepped up. “I remember that name on a non-disclosure I filed away the other day.”
“That’s him.” My breast swelled with an inbreath. “How long will it take to serve her the paperwork?”
“I’ll have it handled within forty-eight hours.”
Satisfied, I freed a sigh of relief. It was unfortunate that I had to pay to get out of a toxic relationship, but some things were priceless.
“Since we’re on the subject of contracts, have you figured out how you’re going to handle your liquor contract?”
I sat up in my seat. “Actually, I have. I’ve spoken to my producer, and he’s going to shoot a mini-commercial with my friends.”
She nodded. “That’s a solid plan. The contract only requires you to be in the visual with the product, not use it, so that’s perfect.”
Kelis excused herself, leaving me alone with Sage and his pointed stare.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“You’ve been telling everybody who asks that you’re not having a baby with Chaz. When are you going to talk to Ishmael about it?”
“When the baby goes off to college,” I joked.
“Ain’t nothing funny about that. Ishmael is a good dude. He deserves to watch his baby grow.”
“I know. I’m just . . . scared. I don’t know how to tell him since, for weeks, I haven’t addressed the rumors. Chaz’s stupid ass is fueling the lies, when he knows we weren’t having sex.” My racing heart caused me to palm my chest. “I’m scared Ishmael will reject me. Us. I don’t want to hear him declare we’re better off as parents and nothing more.”
“Then that makes you no better than my mama,” Sage declared. “You can’t keep a baby away because her daddy may not want you.”
“I know,” I spat out. “I wouldn’t do that. I guess I’ve just been hoping he’ll come see me. He’s the one who couldn’t put his ego to the side. I feel like he forced me to make the choice for us. Why do I have to make the first move?”
“Girl, Ishmael is a grown ass man. It’s his job to protect you. You should have rewarded him instead of punishing him for it. When you love someone, you put your pride aside, so they’ll have room to feel. You sacrifice being right for the sake of peace. The thought of rejection can’t keep you apart.”
I tilted my head and dressed my friend with a sharp stare. “And how do you know I love him?”
“Because you’re so afraid he doesn’t love you.”
Once I completed my meeting, Sage and I planned to have lunch. Pregnancy cravings weren’t an issue, but my appetite had me eating like an elephant. Almost three months into my pregnancy, I was apprehensive to see how much I’d be eating once I hit my third trimester.
While we waited for our car to arrive, my phone started ringing. I didn’t have the number saved, so I didn’t answer the call, but when the person called back, I answered.
