Page 15 of The Hellcat Barbies: Zora
“You need anything done over there? I could lend a hand.” I offered.
He shook his head without hesitation. “Nah, we got it.”
I arched a brow. “That’s it? Just no?”
“You really tryna work after I said you were my guest?” he asked, smirking.
“If it means supporting you… then yeah.”
He studied me for a beat, then gave a slow nod. “Nah… I want to be able to have your attention, and that can’t happen if you’re working.”
“Fine… I’ll be there.” I agreed.
Semi pushed off the counter, sliding his hands into his pockets. “That’s all I needed to hear.” He took a step closer before I could react, leaned down, and pressed a kiss against my forehead. “I’ll see you later, Zora.”
I didn’t move, just stood there watching him walk out like he hadn’t just left me hot and bothered. As soon as the door shut behind him, I exhaled slow. I told myself to keep my guard up, but every time he showed up, it chipped a little more at the walls I swore I’d built for good.
***
“Reggie texted me again,” Tiana groaned the second I picked up. “Talking about how he misses me and he’s ready to settle down now. Like I’m supposed to forget he had a whole baby on me.”
Nia laughed so loud I had to pull the phone back. “Not him talking about settling down when he couldn’t even settle in one bed. Chy, please.”
“Exactly,” Tiana snapped. “And he had the nerve to write, ‘I know I messed up, but I was young.’ Young? Nigga, that was two years ago. His ass was damn near thirty, talking about some he was young. Dumb is more like it.”
I snorted, curling deeper into the couch. “He thinks time passed means you forgot. Classic.”
“Typical stupid ass nigga,” Nia corrected.
“You should’ve blocked his ass after that stunt,” I teased.
“I should’ve,” Tiana admitted. “But honestly? I kept him unblocked just so I could clown him when he popped up again. And look—here we are. I told him straight up to lose my fuckin’ number, but you know Reggie. He hears what he wants to hear.”
“Reggie’s the type that’ll pop up ten years from now talking about ‘Baby, I’m back’.” Nia laughed.
“Back my ass. I’ain got time for Reggie or his plethora of baby mamas.” Tiana muttered, making us both laugh. Then her tone shifted sharp. “But enough about him. Zo, don’t think you’re slick. You been dodging talking about Semi since that date.”
“Here y’all go.” I groaned.
“Don’t ‘here y’all go’ us. Spill it, ho.” Nia jumped right in.
I hesitated, chewing my lip. “He came by the shop today.”
Both of them gasped at once.
“And what happened?” Tiana added.
I rolled my eyes, even though a smile tugged at my mouth. “It wasn’t a big deal. We talked. He invited me to the shop opening next week.”
“Oh, that’s a big deal,” Tiana said quickly. “That man is claiming his space.”
“Exactly,” Nia added. “He’s not playing, Zo. He’s making an effort, and you’re acting like it’s casual.”
“Because it is casual,” I muttered, but my voice didn’t carry the weight I wanted.
“Zo, you can’t even say that shit with your chest,” Tiana shot back. “You like him, and you’re scared to admit it. That’s why you keep curving him.”
Nia was right there behind her. “Semi isn’t your last one, Zo. Stop punishing him for what another man did.”
