Page 75 of Call Me Mrs. Taylor

He frowns. “Nah, they just—“ He stops, adjusting his grip on the wheel. “They don’t know you.”

I exhale sharply. “Now do you see why I didn’t wanna share anything about my family?”

He doesn’t respond. That’s probably not even why they don’t like me, but that’s neither here nor there. I just need him to let me off the hook for lying.

“I kinda felt it from your mom and your sister,” I say. “But what did I do to your dad?”

Besides being so fine he couldn’t stop staring. Typical man, so it’s whatever, but he didn’t even try to be discreet. Then again, if I was married to that stiff cunt, I’d be looking elsewhere, too. Bitch probably has a woodchipper for a pussy.

I cross my arms, my nails digging into my skin. “This is a problem, babe.”

A huge fucking problem.

“I don’t have much family, Ace.” I glance at him, making my voice smaller. “We’re still getting to know each other. Trying to build something. If your people don’t like me…I’m scared it’ll affect how you feel about me.”

There it is.

The hook.

And he bites.

He grabs my hand in his again, where it belongs. “That ain’t gonna happen.”

“But—“

“I’m a grown ass man, Raya. I do what I want.”

He says it so forcefully, I have no choice but to believe it.

For now.

I let my body go still, closing my eyes, resting my head against the seat. Pretending to be asleep. But inside, I’m boiling.

And resolved.

I took my eye off the ball. This little vacation was nice, but it’s for the best that it’s over. I have things I have to do.

If his family won’t make room for me, I’ll make sure there’s no room left for them.

21

Ace

The city finally came through with the secondary budget approval, making this a good fucking day.

Everything’s moving along like it should, thanks to my leadership. Back like I never left, and fresh off a vacation with my girl.

I still smile when those words echo through my mind.

I have a rare moment of peace right now until I let myself remember the end of the trip. My pops calling me on some bullshit. Apparently, Kamryn saw my Instagram story and ran her big mouth to my mama, causing her some concern.

Pop didn’t give a fuck, but Angela’s influence is strong, so that was that. Raya didn’t take it well. I don’t blame her. We’re out here trying to build something, and here they go. Meddling in my shit.

Nosy asses.

Raya

I woke up sore. I think you broke it.

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