Page 68 of Sweetest Temptation
“Nova baby, she’s lying. I didn’t invite this bitch here,” he said, stepping closer, his expression desperate. “I told you, me and her?—”
“I don’t care!” I snapped, taking a step back. The hurt in my chest burned hot, like betrayal wrapped in fire. “Whatever y’all got going on, keep me out of it. I’m done being the fool in somebody’s story.”
His ex smirked, clearly enjoying every second of it. “Guess he forgot to tell you, sweetheart. Some bonds don’t break that easy.”
“Paige, shut the hell up! I should drop you for even showing up here.” Samir roared, but his performance wasn’t enough to fool me.
I let out a bitter laugh. “Yeah? Then you can have him, hunny. Both of y’all deserve each other.”
With that, I stormed out of the venue, my heart breaking with each step. I could hear Samir calling out to me, but I wouldn’t look back at him. If I did, I knew I’d break right there in front of everyone. My vision blurred as I pushed through the doors, the cool air hitting my face like a slap. My hands were shaking by the time I reached my car, fumbling to unlock my truck before finally yanking the door open. Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them away long enough to start the engine. Samir’s voice carried across the parking lot, rough and pleading. “Nova!”
I was about to slam my door, but it was snatched back, and before I could even react, I was being pulled from my truck.
“Get the hell off me!” I screamed, twisting and trying to break free from Samir’s grasp. He used his broad chest to cage me in, pressing me against the truck so that I had nowhere to go.
“Nah, I’m not letting you go until we talk.”
He hovered over me, his jaw tight, eyes dark, and locked on mine. I hated that my heart still jumped at how close he was to me.
“There is nothing to talk about! You’re a fucking liar!” I snapped, shoving at his chest, but he didn’t budge.
“Nova… Baby, I never lied to you,” he said, voice low but firm. “When I came out to meet you, Paige was already outside. She started causing a damn scene and wouldn’t leave, so I walked her to her car to make sure she was gone. I guess she doubled back and followed me inside. But before I could deal with her, I saw you going at it with that nigga, Jerome. Of course, you were my first priority at that point.”
“Whatever, nigga!” My voice cracked, anger mixing with hurt. “So you’re telling me you didn’t know Jerome and I used to be married? That you just happened to end up pursuing me at that bar? You expect me to believe you ain’t get with me just to get back at him for playing your sister?”
His face twisted in confusion. “Wait… what? Married? You and Jerome?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t play dumb, Samir.”
“I’m so fucking serious, love,” he said, stepping back just enough for me to see the genuine shock in his expression. “I didn’t even know y’all knew each other until just now.”
I wanted to call bullshit, but the look in his eyes wasn’t one I’d ever seen before. He looked blindsided, like he was still piecing it all together in real time.
“You expect me to believe that?” I scoffed, though my voice didn’t sound as strong as I wanted it to.
“Believe what you want. I told you, I’m a real nigga. I don’t have to chase pussy to get it. I don’t move like that, love. I didn’t know you were tied to him, but I’m not about to let this shit come between us.”
For a second, neither of us said anything. The air between us felt heavy as if we were both trying to decide whether to keep fighting or admit how deeply messy this really was. I stared up at him, heart pounding in my chest, torn between wanting to believe him and being terrified that I already did.
“I can’t handle this right now. I don’t know what to believe. Samir, just give me some time to process this.”
Before he could say another word, I pushed past him and climbed back into my truck, slamming the door so hard it rattled. This time, he didn’t try to stop me.
The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt Zanova more than I already had. But I’d be lying if I said seeing her plastered all over the internet with that nigga Samir didn’t make me bitter. And bitter may not be a strong enough word. Watching her smile up in his damn face while he looked at her like he wanted to devour her twisted something in me. The chemistry was definitely there; anyone who saw the video could attest to that. The exchange looked like they were in love already, and that told me everything I didn’t want to admit. They weren’t just sharing tarts and tequila; they were sharing each other. In other words, they were fucking! And that realization ripped through me like glass.
I couldn’t shake the image of his hands where mine used to be, his lips touching what I once called mine. It ate at me, the kind of jealousy that burns slow but deep. I told myself I had no right to feel this way, not after everything I put her through. That didn’t stop the rage crawling up my spine, though. She movedon, and I had no one to blame but myself. Still, knowing it didn’t make it hurt any less.
“Jerome, why did you lie to me? The whole time we were together, you were married?”
Hearing Jamila’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Her tone wasn’t loud, but it was shrilling enough to make my chest tighten. We were now in the kitchen of the venue, while Jamila's mother handled the party.
“It’s not that deep, Jamila,” I muttered, rubbing a hand down my face. “Zanova and I are divorced. And you and I aren’t even together anymore, so I don’t owe you any explanation.”
She let out a vicious laugh, shaking her head. “Not that deep? You had me out here looking stupid! Parading around with me like you weren’t still legally tied to your wife! A wife you said cheated onyou. The whole time, you were the one out here dogging her out.”
“Look, I ain’t come here for that. I came to celebrate with my daughter for her birthday.”
“Nigga, you ain’t shit! I don’t know why I even fucked with you. I should’ve walked away when you first approached me at that bar. Something in me told me you were bad news.”
