Rozalin chortled. “Bitch, fuck you!”
After more engaging fun shade, Irish and Ivory were finally finished. Ivory had gotten a sleek ponytail while Irish opted for a silk press and trim.
“You really got a silk press in this Florida heat?” Ivory quipped. “You're a brave girl.”
“It’s been cool lately.”
“That means nothing. You know the humidity comes like a thief in the night.” She laughed. “Where you headed next?”
“I gotta go to the hospital to see Cali.”
“Aw dang, tell her that I’m praying for the both of them. I’m going to meet up with my friends. Are you still going to cook my red beans and rice later?”
Playfully, Irish rolled her eyes. “Yes, girl. Now stop sweating me.”
“You're the best sister ever.” Ivory wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed her cheek, “I’ll meet you back at the house later.”
“Bye and be safe.”
The two parted ways, and Irish headed to the hospital so she could sit with Cali for a few hours.
Later that evening…
“You can’t fuck with me, Ivory. I told you I’m surgical with this shit,” Jovanis boasted.
Irish smirked at him as she placed a dish in the dishwasher. He and Ivory were engrossed in a game of Connect 4. They had ate a meal of red beans and rice, fried chicken, and cornbread and were now having family time. She loved Jovanis’ relationship with Ivory. He treated her just like his little sister and even spoiled her like one.
While she wiped the stove down, Irish couldn’t get her mind off Cali. The visit earlier was another sad one with Rio not showing any signs of improvement. Couple that with Cali’s misery and guilt, Irish had to do a lot of consoling during the visit.
“Surgical my ass. Boom!” Ivory celebrated with a shoulder bounce.
“Damn.” Jovanis studied the game, trying to see where he’d gone wrong. “Yo’ ass got lucky. Run it back.”
Glancing at her Apple Watch, she shook her head. “No can do. I’m headed to a kickback but tomorrow, I got you on the rematch.”
“Who’s kickback are you going to?” Irish asked.
“Jacinda is having one at her house.” She grabbed her small Chanel bag that Jovanis had gifted her for Christmas. “It’s not going to be a lot of people. Just a few of the people we used to go to high school with.”
“Aye, Iv, don't make me have to show out. Be safe, a’ight,” he warned.
“Always.” She grinned. “I’ll be back later.”
“Bye, girl.”
Irish finished the kitchen while Jovanis packed up the game and took a phone call. She retreated to her bedroom where she fell back on the bed. Irish was beat but wasn’t ready to call it a night. Her thoughts drifted to her latest obsession. Noble had been silent on his end, not bothering to reach out to her. Irish would’ve felt wounded but with Rio being in a coma, she was certain Noble had more important things to tend to.
“What you about to do?” Jovanis asked, standing at the foot of the bed.
“Why?”
He wiggled her big toe, inciting a laugh from her.
“Stop, you jerk.”
“What? I can’t mess with your feet?” He grinned at her.
Jovanis was so charming with his broad white smile, slanted eyes, and thick brows. His skin was a toffee tone with locs that were blonde on the ends. He was a head turner, but he only had eyes set for the same sex.
