Nina still didn’t pick up the phone.
Five minutes later.
“Again.”
By the fifth time, Nina’s voice finally came through the speaker, irritated and sharp.
“What do you possibly want? I am SLEEP!”
The concierge looked at Jio helplessly. He leaned over the desk to speak into the phone loud enough for her to hear his voice.
“Come downstairs.”
There was a pause.
“Are you insane?”
“Probably so, baby.”
“I’m not coming downstairs.”
“Okay that’s cool, I’ll just keep having him buzz you,” he said nonchalantly.
“Jio.”
“Nina,” he sang her name in a velvety tone but it was followed by the line being disconnected. He went back to sit on the bench, holding tightly to his faith that she wouldn’t give up on him. Jio had nothing but time tonight. Plus, he was behind on his reading anyway, so he took the opportunity to finish the latest read that he and Ephrem would most likely discuss the next time he stopped by the bookstore.
Fifteen minutes had passed when the elevator opened and made a dinging noise. He prayed like hell that it was his baby and lo and behold…
Nina stepped out wearing black leggings, a white tank, and a long cardigan. Her hair was pulled back, her face makeup-free, and somehow she looked more gorgeous than she had any right to.
Behind her, she pulled a small wagon.
Jio’s eyes dropped to it. It held his clothes, shoes, cologne, and a few books he had left on her nightstand for when he couldn’t sleep at night.
His jaw tightened as the concierge suddenly became fascinated with his computer.
Nina stopped in front of Jio and released the wagon handle.
“I packed your things.”
Jio looked from her to the wagon and back at her.
“I see, but I don’t know what for.”
Nina blinked. “You don’t?”
“No, babe, I really am lost. I don’t know this you right now.”
She wasn’t with the mind games and he was a mastermind at them. “Let’s not play dumb.”
“Tell me what you need, baby. I’ll fix it,” he pleaded. Jio was indeed a player, but for his Nina, he was a certified sucker with no shame in his game. He would get on his knees and beg for her mercy if that’s what it came to.
“I need space.”
“You had enough of that.”
“I need more.”
