“Excuse me?” Irish turned around at her remark. “Whose husband ain’t faithful?”
“Yeah, I seen yo’ nigga out in another bitch face the other night. He was showing all those teeth in his mouth, including the wisdom teeth.” Clarice smirked.
Irish chuckled, knowing Jovanis flirting with a woman would always be a front. They had no idea that the thought of a woman in Jovanis’ eyes would never be sexual.
Flicking her hand, Irish retorted, “Girl, I don’t care about a lil’ flirting. He can do what he wants.”
Shay narrowed her eyes at Irish. “Oh, so y’all have an open marriage?”
“No, we don’t but I don’t get bent out of shape when Jovanis is talking to another woman. I’m not insecure at all.”
“That’s what her mouth says. As soon as she leave, she gon’ hit that man up and read his ass for filth,” Clarice instigated.
Irish rolled her eyes. “You wish.”
“So, yeah, back to what I was saying.” Clarice popped her lips. “Ol’ girl helped me see the light.”
“So, you don't want to get back with your baby daddy?” Rozalin questioned with doubt in her tone.
“Not right now. I need him to prove his love for me before I take him back.”
The shop erupted into laughter at Clarice’s weird logic. She’d lost all of her common sense when it came to her baby daddy, so this was no surprise. After more conversation, Irish’s hair was finally done. She examined it in the mirror, checking all the angles, hoping Noble would appreciate it.
“You like it?” Rozalin asked.
“Of course. You never miss.” Irish dug inside her Alyak purse and grabbed her phone. “Hey, I really need a favor from you. Can you please make a house call for me? Cali needs her hair done but she hasn’t been able to really get away like that. Do you think you can go to the hospital and hook her up if I paid you?”
Rozalin nodded while wiping down her chair. “Yeah, I got you. Just send the money along with yours.”
“Okay.”
Irish sent money through Zelle app and thanked Rozalin again before making her exit. As soon as she got in the car, she noticed she had a text.
Jovanis: You feel like hittin’ up the club with me? It’s Wilde’s birthday.
Irish would’ve rather hung out with Noble, but she hadn’t heard from him since earlier.
Irish: Sure.
Jovanis. A’ight, I’ll meet you at home, and we can ride together.
Irish: Ok.
She started her car and drove toward the hospital so she could spend some time with Cali before shipping orders.
Eleven
Noble always appreciated the seclusion when he arrived at his Uncle Dame’s house. He lived in Emerald Village, a suburb right outside of St. Parklynn. Getting out the car, he walked toward the house just as Dame came outside. Dressed in a white T-shirt, khaki shorts, and black slippers, he smiled when he noticed Noble approaching.
“What do I owe the mothafucking pleasure.” He laughed, holding his hand.
Noble shook it and quickly embraced him in a hug. Pulling back, he gave him a once over.
“You look healthy, Unc.”
“Nigga, I’m always healthy,” he joked, heading toward the porch.
Noble followed him, and they took a seat in the rocking chairs. He didn’t get a chance to see his uncle very much since he was always on the go, but when he did, Noble couldn’t deny the peace that encompassed him.
