Page 12 of His to Have
“Hmm,” I grunted. Then I put the mirror back after seeing I still looked flawlessly beautiful.
He smirked, leaning slightly on the counter, just enough to close the space between us a little. “You didn’t believe me? You know I would never lie to you Yanna.”
I didn’t bother responding, just shook my head and let out a small laugh, about to say something when my phone buzzed in my pocket, reminding me of the text Corey sent earlier. I gazed down at the phone, dreading the argument I knew canceling would spark.
“Everything alright?” Teo asked, noticing my mood shift.
I sighed, slipping the phone back into my pocket. “Yeah, just... plans I need to cancel,” I admitted quietly. “I was supposed to go out with Corey tonight. But I have family dinner.” I said, sighing, running a hand through my hair.
Teo snorted, eyes flicking back to his phone, his tone filled with barely hidden amusement. “That’s still a thing?”
I raised an eyebrow, not hiding my annoyance. “Yes, it’s still a thing, Teo.”
He shrugged, not even bothering to look up from his screen this time, his expression blank. “I don’t know. Just thought you’d have moved on by now.”
He said nothing else—just gave me that arrogant smirk. The smug, self-assured look he always had.
I rolled my eyes, exasperated but used to his attitude. “I don’t know why you and Bash don’t like Corey. He’s a nice guy.”
Teo finally lifted his gaze to meet mine, his dark eyes sharp and unreadable. For a moment, I felt something shift, something in his gaze that made me pause. Then, with that same smug tone, he said, “I don’t dislike him, Yanna.”
This time the way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine. I opened my mouth to respond, but stopped myself when my next appointment walked in.
“My one o’clock is here. Are you going back home today?” I asked.
“Yeah, but I’ll be back this week. I’ll let you get back to it. Call me if some strange shit pop off. Talk to you later Yanna.” He rapped his knuckle against the counter and then he was gone, leaving me to think about what this family dinner was all about.
three
Ayanna
Corey’s name flashed across my screen again. This was the third time he had called in the last thirty minutes, and I didn’t know what more he wanted from me. I was in no mood to argue, especially since I was too busy worrying about this family dinner.
It had to be something major.
My parents didn’t do random family dinners in the middle of the week.
All I could think about was Bash’s cryptic “it’s not for me to say,” and that guilty ass look on his face. That gut feeling had me feeling sick all day. I just knew it was about to be some bullshit. It always was when it came to family business.
When the phone rang for the fourth time, I sighed, swiping to answer. “You know I’m on my way to my parents’ house, right?” I said, steering through the busy Atlanta streets. This wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation. He was already upset thatI canceled last minute, and even more bothered that I wouldn’t bring him with me to family dinner.
“I know,” Corey replied, his voice tight. “But that’s the problem, Ayanna. You’re always on your way to your parents’ house, or at your shop, or handling something else. But when it comes to us, there is never the same level of urgency? It’s really becoming a problem for me.”
I gripped the wheel tighter, trying to keep myself calm. Keep my temper from exploding. My exterior may have been all glitter and sunshine, but deep down, I was still a Reed through and through. That explosive temper that ran in my family didn’t skip a generation, and I was no exception. I felt the familiar heat rising in my chest, threatening to explode if I didn’t take a deep breath and focus. It was a constant battle, keeping that part of me in check. While I wasn’t in the family business the family business was still in me.
“Corey, I’ve told you before—my family and my shop are non-negotiable,” I said firmly.
I was tired of having this same conversation day in and day out. Round and round. Talking in circles. It was exhausting.
When Corey and I met, he knew how busy I was. How hard I had to work to get my business off the ground. And he also knew who my family was.
“Family dinner is...” I trailed off. Because I couldn’t tell him that family dinner was not only about family, but sometimes veer into family business. Discussions about territories, partnerships, and keeping the peace often dominated these gatherings. Sure we talked about other things, but if business came up my family didn’t shy away. And while I didn’t necessarily agree with every decision they made, I was extremely protective of my family.
Loyalty was a non-negotiable, and had been ingrained in my very being.
“I can’t skip family dinners.” I told him firmly, glancing at the clock, knowing I was already running late.
He scoffed on the other end of the line. “And what about our plans? I’m your boyfriend, Ayanna. You could’ve easily invited me and we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. We’ve been together a year, and I still haven’t met your parents. Don’t you think that’s a little strange?”
