“Is she going to be receptive to having a conversation with you?”
“She won’t have a choice. This isn’t how our friendship works. We talk things out and let it go.”
“Friendship, huh?”
Mahari snapped his head to glare at Justin. He wanted to knock the smirk from his lips. “Don’t start your shit, Justin.”
“Aye. All I’m saying is it’s crazy how the jealousy is in your friendship. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I don’t think Aspen’s jealous.”
“Then what would you call it?”
That question stumped Mahari. Running his fingers through his locs, he thought about the way Aspen had been acting when it came to Dynasty. The constant picking, eye rolling, and aggravation were telltale signs of her being envious, but Mahari didn’t think it stemmed from what Justin was getting at.
“If she is jealous,” Mahari started, blowing smoke through his nose, “it’s because she doesn’t want anyone coming in and interfering with how close we are. To be real, I’d probably be the same way if she was dating anyone other than Lance.”
“The only reason you don’t have a reason to feel jealous when it comes to Lance is because he ain’t shit. That’s my brother, and I love him, but we both know what it is. You’re more present inhis relationship than he is, and that speaks volumes. I’ll let you keep thinking otherwise, though.”
That was the end of the conversation. Lavender and Dynasty joined them on the patio. Dynasty clung to Mahari’s arm while he swiveled his head around, looking for Aspen. Lance hadn’t joined them either, so he assumed they were spending quality time together until Lavender informed them that Lance was on a call. The thought of going to see where Aspen was crossed his mind. Even though she was acting funny, he wanted to be sure she was good.
“I’ll be right back,” Mahari stated.
“Where are you going?” Dynasty quizzed.
Mahari didn’t bother answering. He closed the door behind him and searched the five-bedroom, four-bathroom villa for Aspen. To his dismay, she was nowhere to be found. His first thought was to go out back and ask Lavender where Aspen went, but he decided to call her. The phone rang all the way through the three times he called. He hated how stubborn she could be when she was upset. Answering her phone was the least she could do, especially with them being in a different country.
Just as Mahari was about to go ask Lavender, he spotted Aspen off in the distance. She was far away, but he would be able to spot her from anywhere. With haste, he made his way to her. It took him no time since she couldn’t move too fast. He didn’t miss the way she rolled her eyes when he walked alongside her. They didn’t speak for minutes, but Mahari could feel the anger rolling off Aspen’s body.
“Are you going to tell me why you’re mad at me, Bunny?” Mahari broke the silence and glanced down at her.
“Who said I was mad at you?”
“Your actions. Your silence. Your lack thereof.”
“I’m not mad.” Stepping in front of Aspen, Mahari blocked her path until she stomped her foot and gave him her undivided attention. “What, Mahari?”
“I thought we didn’t lie to each other, Aspen.”
“Oh, you’re calling me a liar now?”
“I know you’re not being truthful with me. It’s unlike you to not speak to me or show me some type of affection. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were avoiding me.”
Aspen swiped her hair from her face and stared out at the water. “I’m ready to go home. This trip isn’t what I thought it would be, and I’m annoyed with everything.”
“Then why do I feel like you’re only taking it out on me?”
“I’m not trying to.” Her eyes found Mahari’s again. “Am I annoyed Dynasty is here? Yes. Am I annoyed Lance lied to me? Yes. Am I annoyed I keep dealing with this stupid shit because I’m pregnant? Yes. Every little thing is bothering me, and I just want to go home.”
Before Aspen could start crying, Mahari had embraced her. Her tears made him feel bad for coming at her how he did. Selfishly, he thought her emotions were all directed toward him, but it was a ball of things. They stood in the same spot for three minutes as he soothingly ran his hands up and down her back while assuring her it was all going to be okay.
“Look, Bunny. If I would’ve known bringing Dynasty would’ve upset you like this, I wouldn’t have.”
“No, no.” Aspen sniffled. “I can’t be like that. If that’s who you wanted to bring, I can’t be upset with you, even though I don’t care for her.” She released herself from Mahari’s embrace and used the bottom of her shirt to wipe her eyes. “I’m taking my frustrations out on you, which is wrong, but Lance has truly pissed me off.”
“What did he do?”
“I was stupid enough to think he truly brought me here to rekindle our relationship. When I woke up this morning, he was on the phone, whispering. I didn’t move and acted like I was still asleep when I heard him say something about a tour. I popped up, and he looked like a deer caught in headlights. He brought me here to lessen the blow of possibly not being here for the twin’s birth.”
