Page 42 of Enough

“Samiyah, I can’t keep going around acting like this is okay. I’m…” Claudia paused and nibbled on her bottom lip.

“Spit it out girl; you’re what pregnant?”

Claudia gasped her mouth falling open. “Girl no!” Claudia moved to Samiyah’s office door and shut it quietly.

“Octavia and Serena’s doors are closed, they have clients,” Samiyah pointed out.

“That’s not the point.”

“Okay, so tell me what’s the problem?”

Claudia trod back to her seat and plopped down. “I’m falling in love with him.”

Samiyah’s lips curved into an excited grin, but Claudia was shaking her head no. “This is not a good thing.”

Samiyah frowned. “Huh, why not?”

“We’re talking about a Rose brother! The most elite men in Chicago. We’ve talked about this. You know what kind of women they’re usually seen with.”

“And what am I? Chopped liver,” Samiyah asked with her arms held out. “I’m nothing like those women, and like you said, we’ve had this conversation before so why are you worried about it?”

“Because, what if he’s just around for a while. You know to have a little fun then be off to the next woman giving him attention. I’ve had men come and go before, but this is different. I never fell in love with any of them, and frankly, it’s not fair for Jaden to do this to me. He knows what kind of allure he has over me.” Claudia stuck her lip out. “I’m afraid, Samiyah. I’m scared I’m going to fall for him and he’s going to break my heart.” Claudia’s voice softened. “Then I’ll be a wreck, and I don’t have time to deal with this kind of thing. You know my mom fell and we had to take her to the hospital and now my sisters down here and—”

“Whoa!” Samiyah said as Claudia rambled on.

With her brows furrowed Claudia said, “What?”

“Slow down just a minute. You can’t just ramble all that out without intermission. Back up, first, your mom fell!”

Claudia’s shoulders sagged. “Yes, I was with Jaden. We’d spent the day making sweet treats for the kids over at the boys and girls club when we went to check on her. We got there and she was passed out in the middle of the bathroom floor. I freaked out!”

“Oh my God, I’m sure you did. Is everything okay?”

“Yes, she’s fine now, and pouting every now and again about all the attention Desiree, and I are showing her at home.”

“What was the reason for her falling out?”

“Getting out the shower and just lost her footing, I guess.”

“That’s why Desiree’s in town.”

Claudia pursed her lips. “She called me earlier that same day saying she would be down for the weekend. With my mom falling that just pushed her trip ahead. And you know she didn’t give me any slack.”

Samiyah frowned. “Oh my,” she said. “You need a girl’s night out, huh?”

“Sho you right.”

Samiyah watched her friend for a moment. “Did you tell Jaden you’re falling for him?”

“Um, no ma’am. I’m not about to make a fool of myself.”

“Then how do you know?”

“Know what?”

“You said, Jaden knows what kind of allure he has over you. How can you be certain of that if you haven’t told him?”

Claudia thought about her question. “I’m sure Jaden is well aware of the lure he has over all women.”

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