Page 102 of Yours for the Taking (Falling For A Rose)

Carla nodded. “Yep. Ugh!” Hearing the events out loud made Carla’s mood get even worse. She walked to the sofa, but dropped to her knees and rolled onto the floor, arms out, eyes to the ceiling. Sasha sniffed her, licked her face once, then sat down next to Carla.

Tina squatted, then sat down next to her. “That’s pretty bad, friend.”

Carla pursed her lips. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

“Wow. I always knew Lennox was a dick because he ended your relationship and got married soon after. But this is next level.”

“He loves me! Go figure!” Carla said sarcastically.

Tina shuddered. “If this is what love is, I don’t want it.”

“It ain’t!”

“What ain’t?”

Carla motioned with her hands flying in the air.

“It ain’t what love is.”

“Isn’t, girl. Isn’t.”

“Are you really trying to correct my grammar right now?”

Tina rubbed her shoulder. “You’re right. I’ll tell you how you handle this.”

Carla sat up. “I’m listening.”

“Deal with one problem at a time.”

Carla plopped back down. “Where do I start? And what solutions do I bring?”

“Where do you want to start?”

“With Jacob! He thinks I’m a horrible person, and maybe I am, but I need him to know I… I…” Her eyes clouded with tears. “I love him, and I am in no way interested in Lennox, and I’m sorry I embarrassed him, and I’m sorry I broke his heart, and I’m sorry I disappointed him, and…”

“Why haven’t you told him this yet?”

Carla looked at Tina like she was growing a second head.

“He won’t answer my call!”

“But have you tried confronting him face to face?”

“I went to his home the same night of the event, and I couldn’t get in the gate.”

“Hmmm.”

“He works from home most of the time. His physical business building is mostly made up of his interns and the people that work for him.” Carla was so frustrated. “Most importantly, while I have proof of the text from Lennox showing me a naked picture of myself, I have no proof that I didn’t willingly go home with him. It’s all a big mess!” She sighed. “Maybe I should just leave him alone and let him be with someone deserving of him.”

Tina reared her head to look down at Carla. “I don’t like this, Carla.”

“What?”

“The Carla I know would never give up her man, especially when yeah, you were wrong, but you had reasons. Jacob is the kind of guy who would understand you not wanting to have your naked ass cast all over the damn internet.”

“Maybe, but I have no proof!”

Ding, dong.

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