She never gave a fuck about what he had going on. When she called, she expected an answer. It was pretty simple in her eyes.
He’d been ignoring her calls for the past two days, knowing that she didn’t want shit for real because if she did, she would’ve just sent him a text message. If it was an emergency, his brothers or sisters would’ve gotten in touch with him.
The phone buzzed violently against the kitchen island as the morning sunlight spilled across his new penthouse in soft gold streaks. The vibration was non-stop to the point where it echoed through the massive open concept kitchen every thirty seconds like a warning. Jio had purchased her dream place in the city and she couldn’t be told otherwise that it wastheirplace.
He’d given her his AMEX to have free rein to decorate his abode to her liking and she’d taken full advantage.
Nina loved interior design and was happy to have a new canvas to paint and have fun with.
She sat curled into one of the oversized chairs in the living room that had just been delivered. Her bare legs tucked beneath her, wearing one of Jio’s black hoodies that swallowed her whole. Her hair was pinned messily on top of her head and her face still showed signs from the good sleep she’d been catching up on. She was on her second cup of coffee and Jio was on his third mug of hot tea.
Across from her, Jio stood shirtless in gray sweatpants, his chain resting against his chest, his back turned as he adjustedthe espresso machine like the phone wasn’t threatening to vibrate itself straight off the counter.
Buzz.
Nina peered over the book that had her attention since she left the bed. Jio didn’t seem bothered at all by the phone constantly vibrating.
Buzz.
He didn’t move or react to the sound but that’s because he was used to it. It seemed as if all his phone ever did was ring, ring, ring.
Buzz.
“Babe.”
“It’s cool. Ignore it,” he said, reading her mind because he knew her better than she knew herself.
“You don’t even know what I’m about to say.”
“I do…you about to tell me to answer my phone,” he chuckled.
“Why are you ignoring whoever is clearly trying to get in contact with you?”
“It’s my mama and she don’t want shit.”
As if on cue, the phone buzzed again.
Nina leaned back and studied the one class she was desperate to get an A in.Jiorgio Gotti 101was an advanced class for honor students, but surprisingly, she kept failing. She withdrew last semester but was determined to do her best this time around.
It was funny… the things she noticed about him when he wasn’t trying to be intimidating. The tiny muscle in his jaw that flexed every time his mother’s name appeared on the screen and how he rolled his shoulders like the call itself was a physical burden. Down to how he pretended not to care but never reached to silence it. However, that was her man and she was rolling with him regardless. Jio would ignore a person justto prove a point because some part of him still wanted to be needed…especially by his family.
“Do you think she’s ever going to stop calling?” she wondered aloud.
“She will eventually.”
“Has she ever?”
Jio glanced over his shoulder, annoyed that she had a point.
Nina gave him a look that caused his eyes to narrow. “Don’t start.”
“I didn’t say anything,” she taunted him.
Jio blew her a kiss.
“I think I may have finally figured out how to save a hundred dollars a week by making your expensive ass lattes at home.”
Nina wasn’t interested. It was something about going to a coffee shop that she loved more than the coffee itself. “I appreciate the effort, babe,” she made sure to say. Ever since the night he cried into her stomach, they’d been thick as thieves. Jio came home every night and held her tight until the sun came up. They were overly communicating throughout the day and going on dates again like they used to. This was the man she craved and adored. Their relationship was delicate but in the most precious way. She honored him and valued the quality time that they got to spend together and vice versa.
