Page 25 of Crossing Lines

“I’ll be bored. I’m too busy anyway.” He swallows what’s in his mouth. “Maybe you should pass on it this year. You’ve been three times already.”

His disregard for my career stings. “Really, Jamir? Some of the looks I worked on will be on the runway. Aren’t you happy for me?”

“Baby, I’m not trying to shit on them, but it’s not likeLa Montewill have a major runway. The brand only gets a small showcase and is barely covered compared to other renowned designers. I don’t know why y’all even bother with fashion week.”

My mood tanks. “I can’t believe you said that.”

“Look, D. My career’s rising fast. I’ll earn two hundred thousand by Fall instead of a hundred and eighty. You don’t need to work.”

“I’m not giving up my dream,” I snap at him in a low tone. “You have no right to diminish my career orLa Monte. You know what? Take me back to work.”

He huffs. “Calm down and finish your lunch. There’s no need to get all riled up.”

“Forget it. I’ll Uber back.” I push from the chair.

“Davia, sit down,” he orders like I’m a child.

Ignoring him, I march out of the restaurant into the chilly air and retrieve my phone.

“Baby.” Jamir grasps my arm and turns me to him. His eyes wilt as he studies my face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said all that. I know it’s your dream, and it matters. What you want matters to me. I’m sorry.”

Though his apology seems sincere, my heart still feels unsettled.

“I’ll buy you a veggie burger before driving you to work. The bean salad wasn’t much of a lunch, huh.”

“It’s fine,” I mumble, dropping the phone back into my bag. “I’m not hungry.”

His frown deepens. “Sorry for hurting your feelings. You forgive me?”

I nod, and he draws me in for a kiss and an embrace. There was a time when every moment in his arms felt sweet. Lately, it’s becoming more and more empty.

Trishell plops down in the booth after removing her jacket. “Hey, girl, hey.”

“How was your day?”

“Long,” she exhales. “So hectic at the firm.”

“Well, you look nice,” I compliment, liking her belted blue dress and how she styled her hair in a slick-back bun.

“Thanks, babes. You know I’ll always supportLa Monte.” She squints at me. “You seem troubled.”

“A bit.” I chug my red wine and signal to the waitress.

“Damn. I’ll have a glass with dinner, too.” She refocuses on me after we order. “Talk to me.”

“When you left the club last night,” I start, “Kross took me to the rooftop to hang out.”

She purses her lips. “So, my instincts were right.”

“It was harmless at first, and then we had a moment. Kross held my hand. Something was about to happen. I pulled away only because his friend interrupted.”

“You mean you wanted to kiss him?” she confirms, eyes wide.

I nod and drink some more.

“Wow,” she murmurs. “So, you’re feeling Kross?”

“I don’t know what it is, Trish. I feel guilty, though. You think it’s because Jamir’s neglecting me?”

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