Page 22 of Never Want to Love Again

“I wouldn’t put it past her. Still, shut that shit down.”

“I got you. You just waking up, Crown?”

“Yeah, why?” I queried, glancing at the time. It was a little after noon.

“Just asking. Kupid has been in the office since eight this morning.”

I rubbed my face. “How you know?”

“We’ve been texting, Crown.”

“Why you tellin’ me that?” I questioned Nisha. Standing, I stretched and yawned.

“Even through those dark shades, I saw how you couldn’t keep your eyes off Kupid. She is gorgeous. Like, real gorgeous.”

“Sound like you like her for yo’self.” I laughed so hard while trekking to the bathroom.

“Hell, if I went that way,” she giggled. “I think you should do something for her tomorrow.”

I frowned. “What’s tomorrow, Nisha?”

“Really, Crown,” Nisha smacked. “It’s Valentine’s Day.”

“She ain’t my woman,” I said almost in a high-pitched voice. Fuck was Nisha thinking? “Nisha…if you wanna hear me drain my shit, then stay on the phone.”

She kissed her teeth. “Bye, nigga.”

When Nisha ended the call, I placed my phone on the sink and handled my business in the bathroom. Thirty minutes later, I was walking down the hall toward the office. I was shirtless and in sweats. I thought about going to the gym and getting a workout in, but I wanted to see what Kupid was up to.

The door was cracked, and I knocked although it was still my crib.

“Come in.” Kupi laughed softly. “It’s weird telling you to come in, in your own home.” She was standing by the window sipping from a Starbucks cup. Her brown eyes took in my upper body, and she quickly looked back out the window.

I chuckled. The office smelled like a field full of lemons. A candle was burning on the desk. She looked nice in ripped jeans and a blue and white plaid dress shirt with one side tucked in and the other out.

“How’s everything goin’?” I asked.

“Um…everything is going good. I’ve been sharing your tour flyer and other events you are having and responding to emails and inboxes for your website. I didn’t know you even had merchandise. I might even buy me a shirt.”

“Shit, what size you wear? I have some boxes full of shit in my closet. You might need to start comin’ to work wit’ my face on you,” I jested, but the idea wasn’t a bad one.

“Deduct it from my paycheck. I can still work for you and support you.”

I snorted through a laugh. Kupid was a hardheaded one.

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow.

Clearing my throat, I said, “You can have tomorrow off.”

“Oh, please no.” Kupid shook her head. “I’d rather keep busy, so I have no problem coming in tomorrow.”

I titled my head and leaned against the wall with my hands crossed over my chest.

“Damn, that nigga fucked your heart up that bad?” I queried. “Let that hurt go. It’s obvious he didn’t know what he had.”

Kupid turned her back to me, and I couldn’t help admiring her round backside. That ass was sitting up in those jeans. My hands drifted down, covering my hard-on just in case she turned around.

“You don’t even know me, Crown.”

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