Page 11 of Calculated Kisses with a Scorpio
“Welcome to Mary’s—” Mrs. Mary’s eyes blossomed as recognition set in. “Kairo Moore! You are looking just like yourdaddy. How are you? What can I get you?” she spat out so fast I had to chuckle.
“Hi, Mrs. Mary. I’m doing alright; how are you? I’m looking for your best sunflower arrangement.”
She smiled. “I’m doing good for seventy-eight, son. You just stay right there, and I’ll be right back.”
While I waited, I pulled out my cell phone and went to social media.
My presence wasn’t big on any platform, but I had pages on each one. Unable to help myself, I went to the search bar and typed in Finley’s name. After about five minutes, I was tempted to throw my cell phone but stopped when I saw her beautiful face surrounded by a body of water. My heart slowed as I clicked on her page, and every part of me came alive as I waited to stalk her page.
As soon as it loaded, Mrs. Mary tapped me and scared the hell out of me.
“Shit.” I hissed. “I’m sorry for the language, Mrs. Mary, but you scared me.”
She smiled and handed me the vase.
“Then I’m sorry. Would you like to pay for these or have them added to your father’s account?”
I thought about it and decided to put it on his account. Whenever a transaction on credit was finalized, an email went out to the account holder. Pops would receive notification and would be on my line immediately, so this would be my way of telling him.
“You can put it on his account. Thank you for this, and you have a wonderful day.”
She thanked me, and I left with Finley’s arrangement.
I was a grown ass man, so I didn’t get butterflies, but my nerves had settled in my stomach. The drive from the flower shop to the photography studio was only three blocks, so ittook me no time to get there. The windows were covered with different advertisements, so I couldn’t see inside the building. I grabbed the flowers, took a deep breath, and walked inside.
Just as I got to the check-in desk, I heard yelling.
“Are you seriously firing me? I told you what happened and even told you I could get Mr. Moore on the phone to prove it, Jacob. How long have I worked for you? You can’t do this to me. Not right now. I don’t know what Benny told you, but?—”
“It’s not about Benny! For the last year, you have been off in your performance, and I can’t take it anymore. You had five appointments yesterday and didn’t show up!”
Something clicked in my head hearing Finley beg this man. I understood that she may have needed this job, but begging was where I drew the line. Without thinking, my feet led me to where the voices were coming from.
“Aye!” Both Finley and who I guessed was her boss jumped. “I ain’t too pleased with you yelling at her, so calm all that shit down.” I turned toward Finley. “If he wants to let you go, then that’s his prerogative. You are better than begging this man like he is the only studio in Rushin Springs, and if he is, then I’ll buy you one, but dead that beggin’ shit.”
“Mr. Moore?—”
I lifted my hand and shook my head, never taking my eyes off Finley. She folded her arms across her chest and glared at me, but I didn’t care because she would never lower her self-worth in my presence. I was about to speak when another man walked into the office, looking like he owned the place.
“I know this was your doing.”
One second, I watched Finley’s entire body lock up, and the next, I had her wrapped in my arms, prying her hands from the man’s hair . . . What had I just walked in on?
“Calm down,and let him go, baby girl.”
I didn’t want to give in, but Kairo’s lips pressed against my ear shifted my focus.
My goal had been to mop the floor with Benny’s ass, but as I dangled in Kairo’s arms, I knew that wasn’t happening. He held me like I weighed eighty pounds instead of two hundred fifty. Had this happened at any other time, I would have probably swooned, but right now, murder was on my mind.
I gripped Benny’s hair tighter for good measure, and his knees buckled slightly.
“Ah! You stupid bitch!” His long fingers wrapped around my wrist. A searing pain shot up my arm, and I screamed.
With my free hand, I punched him on top of his head until he let my wrist go.
“You bottom of the barrel ass trick!” I yelled as my body was lifted up higher, and suddenly, I faced the back of Jacob’s office.
Kairo had put me over his shoulder.
