Page 21 of What She Deserves
“You know your own mind, but you’re not the type to go into a purely sexual relationship with anyone. You’ve never been that way. Tamika or me, yes. You, no. And with Rashad, of all people? The man who made you contemplate quitting your job because he was jealous of Ethan, your boss? The man who had you browsing bridal magazines and researching the meaning of baby names?”
Heat flamed Layla’s cheeks at the embarrassing reminder that she’d been so into him, practically planning out the next thirty years of their lives while he’d been planning how to escape and move on to the next woman. “That was a long time ago,” she said dismissively. “I know better now, and I’ve dated other men since then. It’s not like I laid around the house pining for him.”
Dana stared at her.
“Okay, fine, I pined for a couple of months, but then I recovered and moved on. I’ve been involved with three men since then, and Elijah was only a few months ago.”
“Which didn’t last. To be honest, I never thought you were truly invested in that relationship,” Tamika said.
“I liked him, but he wasn’t the one. That’s all.”
“And what about that guy you’ve been talking to? The one you met online?”
“I’m still going to talk to him. Rashad and I are only having sex, but we’re allowed to see other people.”
“I have to agree with Dana,” Tamika said uneasily. “You know, and we know, that Rashad is your kryptonite. That was the whole reason for saying you were moving to D.C. You knew you couldn’t handle him because he might wear you down.”
“I can handle Rashad.”
“Since when?” both friends asked at the same time.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I have everything under control,” Layla snapped. She’d prove to herself and to her friends that she was not as weak for Rashad as she used to be.
“R.I.P. your heart,” Tamika muttered.
Layla gently elbowed her friend. “Thanks for believing in me.”
“We don’t want you to get hurt.” Dana’s eyes filled with worry.
“I’ve got this, you guys, really. I told you my plans because I want you to know. This time around, I only want one thing from Rashad, and that’s sex.” Saying it out loud made her feel stronger and more in control. “That’s it. Nothing else.”
