Page 42 of Save Room for Us

“Good night, Asif.” I hurriedly unlocked the door.

“When can we kick it next? Some official date shit.”

“I don’t know.” I quickly slipped inside the house and locked the door.

I liked him way more than I expected.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

Asif: That means you leaving that shit up to me then.

Me: you just don’t like being told no, huh?

Asif: A persistent man is a winning man, love.

“Thank you for coming!”Scotland beamed as she hugged me.

“Of course.” I nodded, taking in the newest nail shop she’d opened. This was her second location, and tonight, there was an exclusive invite for people to check shit out.

As Scotland talked to me about the available refreshments, I peeped the scene, looking for Anastazia. We hadn’t talked much since our outing, and though I wanted to smother her ass, I didn’t at the same time. I wasn’t selfish enough to not understand that she was going through a lot. Only reason I wasn’t putting as much pressure on her as a nigga wanted was because Ididunderstand.

She’d just gotten out of a traumatic ass situation, and I’d preferred being patient, allowing her to naturally fall into this relationship versus being forced. I didn’t want her thinking shit was now or never when it was actually on some forever shit.

“Daddy!” Milan rushed up to me, and when I looked at Scotland, she clenched her teeth.

“My assistant invited everybody on the VIP list. Forgot to take her off.” She skated away just as Milan made it to me.

No Anastazia, and Milan being present? Yeah, I was ready to dip.

“What’s good?” I side hugged Milan as I scanned the room again.

“I miss?—”

“Be right back.” I stepped off, locating my brothers. “What’s good?” I grinned, slapping hands with them all, but stopping in front of Leeci, who was seated in Bashar’s lap. “Where big sis?” I questioned, trying to be nonchalant about the shit, but the way Analicia smiled like she knew a secret I didn’t let me know I hadn’t played it cool enough.

“Scotti invited her, but I figured she wasn’t coming because she’s busy,” she answered.

“Why?” Shakur inquired, leaning against the wall with his wife shielding him.

“No reason, muthafucka. Worry about what you got.” I tried to keep a stern face but couldn’t help smirking.

“Aww shit!” Unique bellowed, fist to his mouth. “Asif don’ finally ran across a woman who got his little boxer briefs in a bunch!”

“Nah, you mixing me up with yo’ ass.” I shook my head. “My briefs ain’t tight enough to be all up in my ass like yours.”

Lequay, Bashar, and Shakur doubled over in laughter as the ladies tried to stifle theirs. Unique sucked his teeth and waved me off.

“So you don’t like her?” Analicia quizzed, brows kissing like she was readying to punch me if I said the wrong shit.

“Nah, I do. This stupid ass nigga just be doing too much.” I nodded to my brother.

“How much older is she than you?” Unique questioned. “Or is she? ’Cause nigga, you look like you pushing forty, and she look nineteen.”

“That’s not what that little bitch you brought to the lounge that night said.” I shrugged, and Unique’s lids lowered.

“You hit?” He frowned.

“He fucking with you. Chill out.” Lequay tapped his chest.

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