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No, not Sazuki.
Ryotaro.
I grin secretly to myself.
I wonder how he’ll react when he hears me using his first name. I’m used to calling him Sazuki, but after last night, it doesn’t really make sense to keep being distant when we were, quite literally, the closest we have ever been.
Leaning against the dresser with one leg raised and resting on the bottom drawer, I check my phone.
My heart stops when I see the text messages.
Hi, Dejonae. This is Ashanti.
Can I see you downstairs?
I read and reread the message.
She’s downstairs?
At my apartment?
Another message comes in.
I’ll come up if you prefer.
My eyes jump to the bed where Sazuki is still sleeping. The air smells like every wicked thing he did to me last night. The sheets bear the evidence of our frantic desire for one another.
I don’t want Ashanti anywhere near this. Just the memory of her, conjured up in these text messages, makes me feel dirty. Like I took something that doesn’t belong to me.
I shake my head.
Be strong, Dejonae.
I text her back and let her know that I’ll be down. Rather than brush my teeth and fix myself up, I head outside wearing Ryotaro’s shirt.
Ashanti is in the foyer. She turns with a sweep of her long black hair and fancy pumps. Her dress is full of polka dots and shimmers down to the floor.
She really is beautiful.
Which makes me feel petty, like I should hate her more because she’s so attractive.
Her eyes slide down my attire. “I thought I saw Sazuki’s car in the parking lot.”
“How do you know where I live? In fact, how did you get my number?”
“Akira. That’s the answer to both those questions.” She smiles.
“What do you want?” I fold my arms over my chest and keep my tone chilly.
“I saw a café nearby, but I don’t think you’re dressed appropriately for that. Did you just get out of bed?”
Her tone rubs me the wrong way. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
“Dejonae,” her grin is sharp even if it’s pretty, “put your weapon down. You and I have many things in common. We both enjoy music, we both love Niko and we both fell for the same man.”
“It’s not like we’re signing up to be the next sister-wives, Ashanti. You and I don’t need to have anything in common and you don’t need to be here either. Please leave.”
“He has great stamina, doesn’t he?”
