Page 58 of Save Room for Us

Him saying sometimes churned my gut because I began to wonder just how many women Asif entertained. I knew he liked me and talked a good game, but did he do that shit to others? Did he speak that way to Milan in private? I knew all about howniggas played the role in public just to get you alone and be Keith Sweat.

“Um, yeah. Anyway, I saw her today in the drug store, and she told me she’s gonna tell the prosecutor about how I was eyeing Asif prior to me shooting Cedric.” I paced, unable to stop once I’d put the brake on Sophie’s stroller.

“Calm down, Stazi.” He gestured for me to sit, and I didn’t know why he was smirking. This was serious.

“I’m sorry, Bashar. What is so funny?”

“That you worried about some hood rat snitching on you.”

“She may be a hood rat, but any more witnesses against me is not gonna help. And the yacht party, she had friends there. They could vouch that I was staring Asif down.”

As I thought back to it, I didn’t even know why it happened. Yes, I always thought the man was cute, but I never thought past that. I didn’t wonder what it would be like to have him or anything. He was cute—no, fine—and there were no other thoughts about it. I guess that day he looked extra good, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.

“That’s true. We don’t need any more witnesses, but she’s not gonna do that, Stazi.”

“Why not? She hates me and wants Asif to herself. That seems like a perfect way to get me out of the running.”

“She ain’t gon’ do that because she want that nigga too badly, and she know if she does, he gon’ cut her ass off.”

Wait, he hadn’t? Of course, the nigga hadn’t. He was taking me on dates, putting his hands in my pants, and putting his tongue as far as it would go into my mouth, yet I hadn’t stopped to question him about Milan or any other woman. And even though this was the case, I still didn’t feel comfortable interrogating him when I was the one putting the brakes on us. I guess I just assumed he wasn’t entertaining her ass anymore, but it was always the wrong move to just assume with niggas.

“Right, and she wants to stay in his life,” I mumbled, standing back up and ready to leave.

“I didn’t mean it like that, Stazi. Sif not like that. If y’all serious, he not gon’ keep her ass around.”

“Okay. Well, thank you. Sorry to bother you.” I started for the door, and Bashar rushed over to pull it open for me.

“Don’t worry about that shit, Stazi,” he called after me, and I threw my hand up to say okay.

Days later…

Entering the medical room, I made my way over to my desk to power up my computer, only to see a small bouquet of roses. It was much smaller than the last time Asif gifted me roses, being wrapped in plastic instead of being in a vase like before.

Setting my purse down, I scooped them up to inhale, feeling better than I had the past few days. Since leaving Bashar’s office, Asif and I had spoken, but he was out of town, so we couldn’t spend much time together. He was quite busy, too, so we’d text a little, and then he’d called me at night, but I would be so tired we couldn’t talk long.

“You like ’em?” Grady quizzed, making me look toward the doorway.

“Oh yeah, I do.” I frowned slightly, then peeped the note signed by him. These weren’t even from Asif. No wonder the presentation was different. The first arrangement was from a man with intentions; the second was from a man just trying to do what he thought would get him closer to some pussy.

“I’m glad.” Grady cheesed, walking further into the room.

Like always, an uncomfortable feeling overcame me. Something about him wasn’t right, and it was possibly why he reminded me of my ex, though he hadn’t done anything or said anything malicious.

“I think you should take them back and give them to a woman more deserving of these from you in particular.” I walked them over to him.

“Damn, a nigga can’t do nothing nice no more?”

“It’s not that. I appreciate this, but I’m not interested, and my father always taught me to never take things from a man I don’t want to be with.” I spoke truthfully.

“Is this because of Asif?” His forehead creased as he slipped his hands into his pockets, refusing to take the arrangement back. “You hoping to be with that nigga or something?”

Peering up into his devilish eyes, I replied, “No, not really. Yes, I am getting to know Asif, so taking flowers from you wouldn’t be appropriate. But also, as I just said, I’m just not feeling you, so I don’t want them to be wasted on me.” I shook the roses, hoping he’d grab onto them.

Finally, he did, clutching them tightly as he ran a finger across his chin in thought.

“I like yo’ loyalty, Stazi, but same way I should give these to someone who appreciates it, you should do the same with yo’ loyalty. Give it to a nigga who appreciates it and is willing to throw the shit back.”

“I am.”

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