“Where he at?”
“We getting something to eat. He ordering his food, I’m outside having a smoke.”
“I’ll come get him this week or top of next.”
“Jio, it needs to be today! I’m going to the casino tonight. I don’t want him home by himself, it ain’t no telling if I’m coming right back.”
Now the truth comes out.
Jio closed his eyes. “What does any of this have to do with me?” He was irritated all over again.
“He will be ready when you get here. Don’t take all day either or I’m going to blow that mother fuckin’ phone up and you know it.”
He hung up before his mother could get another word out.
Nina waited three full seconds before saying, “Jiorgio?”
“Watch out!” he warned playfully.
“Jiorgio is such a lovely name. I should call you that more often.”
“I think we good with babe or baby,” he begged to differ.
“Very regal. Very fashionistO.”
He moved so fast she barely had time to dodge before he trekked through the living room just to pinch her thigh.
“Ouch!” she yelped, laughing.
“Ima what again?” He wanted her to repeat it now that he was up close and personal.
She rubbed the spot, still laughing. “You are a fashionistO, not a fashionista!”
“I’m a real nigga with style,” he corrected her.
Nina rolled her eyes. “Tomato, tomato... same thing bookie butt.”
She reached up and kissed his lips.
“When I first met you, you told me that you had just sent back a custom jacket because the thread was ivory instead of bone.”
“That’s a huge difference shorty!” he defended his decision.
“You have opinions about belt buckles.”
“Everybody should! I don’t want no big country ass belt on.”
“You travel with garment bags for your garment bags.”
He fought a smile. “What you trying to say?”
“Maybe you’re into fashion more than you think you are. Because I’ve seen you take longer picking out shades than I take getting ready for dinner.”
“Damn, now my vision not important?”
“Don’t deflect.”
He looked at her with amusement he didn’t want to show.
