Page 60 of Save Room for Us

“I did. I was flattered as fuck though.” I chuckled, drinking some of my soda. “I appreciate how you came to me and asked me this shit about Grady instead of just believing it then wilding out. That’s what I’m used to.”

Anastazia wasn’t the oldest woman I’d messed with, not even close, and more than a few had shown that immature ass behavior. So it was nice to see her act her age ’cause females ten years her senior sometimes didn’t.

“Something about him is dark. Plus, I would never believe the competition.”

“Oh, he my competition?”

“I mean, the flowers were nice.” She cheesed, guffawing as I mouthed wow. “I’m just kidding, but I mean, I would never listen to someone who sees themselves as your opponent when it comes to me.”

“Makes sense.” I nodded. “I wanna do some romantic shit next time we go out. You down?” I reached into my pocket for a knot.

“I am.” Her full lips tugged into a smile.

“Take this and get what you need or do what you need to.”

“You saying I need a makeover?” Her eyes widened at the thick roll of money. She twisted her perfect ass lips, awaiting my answer.

“Not at all. I would take you out in what you got on now, but I know how females are. And you deserve it, baby. Treat yaself to some new shit, go to a spa, whatever to have you feeling and looking yo’ best, inyo’ eyes, for the date. I want you to feel yo’ fucking best when we step out. It don’t matter what I think.”

Picking it up, she said, “This is way more than that would cost unless you want me to get a BBL.”

I almost choked, having to drop my wing back into the container so I could shield my mouth with the fucking napkin.

“I definitely don’t want that. Leave ya body exactly how it is,please, especially that fucking water park you walking ’round with. You betnottouch that.” I spoke honestly and saw her brows lift as she tried not to laugh. “Whatever is left, though, do what you want. That’s for you.”

“Thank you, Asif.”

“Anytime.”

She stared at it for a minute, then stuffed the money into her pocket before we continued to eat.

Sitting back against the couch, I stared at the TV, not really paying attention to the shit, as the front door opened then eventually closed.

“Nigga, why you just chilling in my crib like this?” Grady quizzed, walking over to sit next to me while holding a bag of shit from the liquor store. “You good?”

Shoving another chip into my mouth as I watched the television, I asked, “When you start gossiping and shit like a bitch?”

I finally gave him my eyes, expecting an answer.

“What are you even talking about, cuz? I don’t gossip or none of that shit.” He waved me off.

“Oh, so it must’ve been ya evil twin that told Anastazia I said I wasn’t interested, huh?” I sipped the drink I’d gotten from the burger spot I’d hit up earlier. “You know I never said that shit.”

Opening a large beer and gulping it down, Grady turned his eyes onto the TV and shrugged. “I mean, maybe not those exact words, but that’s what you meant. I asked if you was gon’ push the issue when it came to her, and you said nah. How you interested if you ain’t gon’ pursue her?”

He started to take another sip, but I snatched the shit from his grasp, causing a little to spill onto his black T-shirt. Shocked, he looked at me as if a nigga had grown horns.

“I’m only gon’ say this once, nigga. I’minterestedin Anastazia. I like her. I want her. I’m gon’ pursue her. I am pursuing her. She off-fucking-limits. That’s me, and if you so much as open a fucking door for her, it’s gon’ be the last time youuse yo’ fucking hands for anything. I don’t give a fuck what I toldyouor the rest of them niggas. Y’all not me, hence why I’m top dog and you do whatItell you to. I change the rules whenever the fuck I see fit or how I see fit, so I’m tweaking this one. She ain’t fair game, she spoken for. I’m the only one in the mob that can touch that. You got any questions?”

“Nah, man.” He snickered nervously while nodding. “I get it. That’s all you had to say, cuz. We all good.”

“Cool.” I rose up, handing him back his bottle.

Gulping more and wiping his mouth, he asked, “Who gon’ oversee the next shipment?”

“Low.” I started for the door, stepping over an old McDonald’s fries container in disdain. Grady was making too much money to have his nice ass spot looking filthy. Maids didn’t cost that fucking much.

“Low? That young ass nigga? He shouldn’t be doing that shit by himself.”

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