Page 27 of Never Want to Love Again

I put the phone on speaker, so Kupid’s crazy ass could hear the woman speak.

“I am so sorry, Mr. Heart. We told your assistant we only had a one-bedroom townhouse available because Valentine’s is so busy here. She told us to go ahead and book it, and you two would figure it out. Her words, I swear,” she babbled.

“I’m going to kill Nisha because why would she think that was okay?” Kupid squawked. I watched her pull out her own phone.

“Aight, and another isn’t available with two or more beds?” I asked for clarification.

“No, I am sorry,” she apologized.

“No worries. We’ll make it work,” I told her and disconnected the call.

“Why isn’t she picking up?” Kupid asked.

I snorted through a laugh.

“Nisha has a man, and it’s Valentine’s Day, baby. She knows what you’re calling for. Her shit probably turned off.”

“Why would it be turned off when she’s your assistant? I’m still gonna kill her!” Kupid huffed. “How are we going to make this one-bed work?”

My brows dipped.

“The bed is huge. If you think I’m touching you without your permission, you are wild. I’ll sleep on the sofa, baby. It’s coo’.”

I left Kupid where she was standing to retrieve my weed. I needed to smoke something real bad. I’ve slept on sofas before, so it wouldn’t be a first. I’d sleep on a sofa before I went back and forth about a damn bed. She already had my head pounding.

The briny scent of the ocean water filled my nose as I sat in the freestanding egg chair with a cushion after rolling up inside since it was windy out. Once I took the first hit, I relaxed. My phone rang, and I smiled when I saw that it was the woman who had birthed me.

“Aye, baby,” I answered.

“Happy Valentine’s to my forever Valentiiiine,” she sang out, making me smile.

“Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite lady. You and Pops landed?”

I’d paid for my parents to spend a few days in Venice. They weren’t home for three hours from another trip before they were on another PJ courtesy of their son.

“Oh my gosh, baby. It’s so beautiful here. Your father is asleep right now. It’s three in the morning here.”

“Why you up?” I queried.

“I had to call my baby. Where are you? I can hear the ocean.”

I snickered at the fact that my mama has been to many islands, and now she knows the sound of the ocean when she hears it.

“The Bahamas,” I answered, puffing my blunt. The ling grew quiet for a moment.

“Alone?” she asked in a whispered tone.

I scratched the side of my face, contemplating whether or not I should tell my mama I wasn’t alone. We were close; therefore, she’d know that if I had a woman with me out of the country, it was a possibility that I was feeling her.

“Nah, I’m not alone,” I told her. “I brought someone here with me.”

I heard the light gasp and chuckled.

“Is it that woman that’s been in the blogs with you, Crown?” she quizzed.

“Why would you think it was her?” I sniggered, then pulled on the blunt.

“Son, I’m your mother. If nobody else knows anything, I know. When have you started taking a female to basketball games and to your hosting just because she works for you now?” She snorted. “Never. So, when I saw the photos, I hummed and minded my business because I knew you liked her. I want you to be careful and make sure you don’t get with anyone who just wants you for your money…for your status…or clout,” she explained.

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