Page 22 of His to Have
“Alright, everyone, let’s bring our session to a close,” Tasha’s soothing words echoed as she began the cooldown. “Bring your awareness back to the present moment. Remember, peace is something you can always return to. Take this calm with you as you step back into your day.” With a gentle bow, she added, “Namaste.”
“Namaste,” I repeated with the rest of the class, only feeling fifty percent better than when I started my day.
The low music that filled the space faded, and light chatter from her students enveloped the classroom. Most of them seemed lighter than when they entered her studio. While she spoke to a few of her students and the rest filed out of the room, I took a moment to roll up my mat, and gather my things. We planned to go for smoothies after class, so I was not in a hurry.
Once Tasha finished speaking with her last student, she strutted toward me, in her teal leggings and matching tank top. The huge smile and warm hug she offered were exactly what I needed.
“Feeling any better?” she asked, wiping her forehead with a towel, then tossed it over her shoulder. The water bottle in her hand was already half empty as she took another sip, waiting for my reply.
“Bout as good as a person can be who just spent the night tossing and turning. Or waking up still arguing with Corey,” I mumbled dryly, but still managed to force a smile.
“Aww, babe,” she said sympathetically, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “Corey will be alright. He’s an okay guy, but…” She trailed off, giving me that look she reserved for when she thought I needed a reality check.
I groaned. “But he isn’t right for me?”
Tasha gave a small shrug. “I didn’t say that, but yeah. Don’t waste your time going back and forth with him. I say cut him off cold turkey.”
“But that’s so mean, Tasha,” I chuckled. “He deserves a real explanation.”
“Nah, that’s life.”
“You’re just saying this because you like Teo.” I shook my head, denying her accuracy.
Again, she shrugged. “Maybe. But I also know my friend. You don’t love Corey. Teo just did you a favor by forcing you to address it. Otherwise, you would end up in a loveless relationship, with a man that doesn’t feed your soul. So, again, I don’t think you should entertain anything beyond what y’all discussed last night.”
She was right.
“Besides, Corey is so corny.” She glanced at me sideways as we strolled toward the smoothie shop next door. “And it’s not because he isn’t in the streets, or anything like that. You know I love me a good corporate nigga.” She giggled, and we both knew it to be true.
Her dating history consisted of brokers, lawyers, and tech executives, all of whom wore suits and carried briefcases. Not that she had anything against street niggas. In fact, I was one thousand percent sure if my brother gave her even a tiny bit of attention the corporate dudes would be a thing of the past.
“But,” she continued, “I just think it’s more of his mindset. He has always given off insecure. And if it came down to holding you down, and protecting you I’m not sure he’d have the backbonefor it. We both know who your family is, and if you actually tried to fight them on this marriage—which is still wild to me—he wouldn’t stand a chance.”
We reached the smoothie shop and stepped into the cute little cafe. The bright colors and fresh fruit displayed behind the counter made my stomach rumble. I glanced at the menu, pushing our conversation to the back of my mind. Both Corey and Teo had taken up too much space this morning, and I was ready to think about something else.
Tasha ordered a green smoothie with all the add-ins, and I ended up going with a coconut-pineapple blend that tasted like an island getaway, somewhere far from here. When our drinks were ready, we took a seat by the window and chatted about everything else. We laughed and giggled, catching up on everything under the sun. I loved talking to her. She was the closest thing I had to a sister.
After we’d finished, Tasha threw her arm around me in a quick hug. “Text me later.”
“Will do.”
Before she exited the restaurant, she said, “Oh, I forgot. Marci’s all-white party is this weekend. I was thinking of sliding through. If you and Teo are free you both should come with.” Her grin was contagious.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not going out with him. We’re not even a real couple.”
“Right,” she gave me that look, knowing I was full of shit. “Keep telling yourself that. I’ve known both of y’all most of my life. Teo has been yours for a long time. No other bitch has stood a chance. And now I see why. I’m going to say this with love. I think you should open your heart and mind to the possibility. I know you’re frustrated this came from your father, and that Teo knew about it, but I think he’ll be good to you. Stop tiptoeing around the inevitable, babe. Love ya.” She gave me a winkand sauntered off, leaving me to finish my smoothie and the thoughts she’d planted in my head.
I took one last sip, before heading to my car, feeling lighter.
But that calm lasted only as long as my drive home.
When I pulled up to my house, I immediately noticed the jet-black SUV parked outside, the two other vehicles parked up the block, and the familiar figures leaning against the hood. Of course he wasn’t alone. His enforcers were positioned nearby looking like well-dressed secret agents. You would think the president was here to visit little ol’ me.
Pushing my car into park, I pulled the visor down, taking a minute to check my reflection. Despite the sweat from my workout earlier, my skin had a healthy glow to it, and my braids were pulled into a ponytail. Applying a quick swipe of lip gloss, I smacked my lips together.
Better.
Grabbing my bags, I stepped out of the car, only to be met by Teo’s intoxicating scent, hooded eyes, and that familiar half-smile that always seemed to weaken my resolve.
