Page 46 of Cessation
“For what? You act like you can’t meet who I’m dealing with or be around them. She cool people.”
I figured she was from how Yani smiled when she spoke about her. I guess meeting her outside of a work environment would provide an unfamiliar perspective for me.
“That’s not even remotely true. I just don’t interrupt people’s time. I’m ’bout to head out though. I owe Pay a movie night.”
I stood and he dapper me up. He showed me to the door and as I opened it, Dawn was beginning to knock. Once she saw me, she cocked her head to the side.
“Paxton?”
“I’m pass my stage of curiosity. Josiaha is my brother. I see we’ll have a relationship outside of business with how many mutual parties we share.”
“I guess we will.” She smiled and gestured for a hug which I gave up.
“All I got to say, is don’t hurt my people. I get real stupid behind them.”
“I could give you the same warning, but Yani is a piece of work all by herself. However, I don’t want to see her hurt twice.”
“I got you. Enjoy your night.”
I walked pass her and to my car. My circle was growing and the people in it were genuine. With Yani, she brought friends that wanted to see our relationship flourish, and on my end, I had people that was excited for the future. They wanted me happy with a woman again and I could finally give them that.
Yani
Somewhere along the line I became a liar as well as a deceiver. Playing with people’s feelings and going behind someone’s back wasn’t in my character. I got caught up and let my memories control what happened between me and Trust and ended up in a relationship that I swore I wasn’t going back to. I gave in to him entirely too quick.
However, he was keeping up with his word. So far, I received the man that I grew up with and grown to love. Trust was doing everything he used to do, and I didn’t have to question his statements.
He gave me his location and always checked in with me. He even popped up at my job with lunch and I was loving every minute of it. Like today, he was approaching my office with a bouquet of flowers and lunch in tow.
“Hi gorgeous.”
“Hey baby. You look nice.”
“Not as nice as you. You got some time for me today?”
“I always have time. This smell good. Where did you go?”
“To Hen’s. Where else would I go?”
The mention of Paxton’s mother caused a wave of guilt to wash over me. I was already caught in a situation where I lethow I felt about him slip. He wasn’t supposed to know that my feelings had grown from genuinely liking him to truly loving him.
I realized my own emotions and feelings when I wanted to include him in all my plans. When I felt like I was going through a phase of withdrawal from being without him for so long I knew then. I needed him in my life and now that I accepted Trust’s proposal, I didn’t know how to handle what we had going on.
I didn’t want to hurt him. He was such a good man and the way he treated me from jump was better than what I received from Trust throughout the years. However, I still had an attachment to Trust that made me go back with ease. I knew better.
“Thank you. Set it up for me. I been so damn hungry lately. My freakin’ appetite has picked up tremendously.”
“I noticed. Come on and enjoy this. I got to get back to work myself.”
I joined him in my sitting area and indulged in some of the best soul food I have ever tasted. Mrs. Henrietta knew she could whip up some food. Normally, I would have leftovers but the way I was demolishing that plate, I didn’t think there would be.
As we were conversing in meaningless conversation, Sabrina knocked on the door. I granted her access and in she walked with gifts in tow. I nervously looked in Trust’s direction to see how he was reacting to what she had in hand.
“Your gifts are here on schedule. Where do you want me to sit them?” she asked.
“On my desk is fine.”
She walked them over and my gaze was still on Trust. I could see his entire mood shift from how many times Brina entered my office with gift after gift. It wasn’t until she made her last trip that he found his voice.
