“Please?” He reached for me, but I pivoted away. “Stop playin’, baby. Can I just talk to you?”
He’s such a punk. There was nothing worse than a beggin’ man. Over the last few months, Kimball had been showing up at random places—at the neighborhood bar me and my siblings liked to gather, at my brother’s gym, at my office building. And each time I’d seen him, I’d told him to fuck off. “Kim, you know I don’t play games—and I don’t fuck married men.”
“I can explain.”
“No need.” When he tried to grab my hand, I balled up a fist. “If you touch me, Iwillfight you on this street. And I know you don’t want that.”
Kimball scanned the area, dropping his head. He played professional football for Detroit and had recently married a popular reality television star. Standing at six foot three, he was hard to miss. All it would take was one camera phone, and he’d be on the blogs. Correction,we’dbe on the blogs. I wanted no part of that mess. “We need to talk,” he murmured.
“Not really. Go home to your wife.”
“You pissed me off. I was upset, so I—”
“Got married?” I shrugged.
“I thought we were done.”
I nodded. “You were correct.”
“I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
“Get a grip, muthafucka. You didn’t hurt my feelings. I broke up with you. Usually when that happens, people move the fuck on.”
Kimball grabbed my hand. “Have dinner with me. I miss you. Don’t you miss me?”
“No,” I admitted. “I don’t. Look, I have to go. Be happy.”
I brushed past him and entered the restaurant. Glancing back over my shoulder, I saw him standing there watching me, a pitiful look on his face. I waved him on and headed toward the booth where Maya was seated.
“I’m so sorry.” I bent down and gave her a hug. “I’m usually a lot earlier.”
“No apologies necessary,” My mentor assessed me. “Besides, I see you handled yourself very well out there.”
I sighed, sliding into my seat across from her. “You caught that, huh?”
“I’m always amazed at your ability to never show your ass in public, but I’m not sure I would’ve had your patience out there. It’s time for Mr. Payne to move on.”
Laughing, I took a sip of water from a full glass on the table. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“Besides, his wife is a trip. I watch the show every Sunday night, and she is messy.”
“Tell me about it,” I grumbled.
“Enough about him, though. How are you, sweetie? You look beautiful as always.”
“Thank you. I feel the same about you.” That wasn’t a lie. “I was so happy to get your call. It’s been too long.”
Maya Winters was one of the best attorneys in the state. She was also a close friend of the family and my favorite professor. Going to her class had been one of the highlights of my time at Michigan Law. Even after I’d graduated and passed the bar, she’d made herself available to me, offering invaluable advice for my career and my life.
For the next few minutes, we caught up, talking about everything from basketball to the latest courthouse drama. Always blunt; I appreciated her candor. She was tough as nails in the courtroom, well-respected by everyone, and admired by many. I’d wanted to be just like her when I was younger.
“I must admit, I have ulterior motives,” she admitted. “I wanted to speak with you about something important.”
“Is everything okay? Is it Julia?” Maya had divorced her husband of twenty-five years and had married the love of her life, Julia. The couple had weathered the odds against them and were extremely happy. “Mom told me the treatments are going well.”
Maya smiled sadly. “She’s fighting a hard battle, but the doctors are optimistic. All I know is I love her, and I want her to be comfortable. And I do everything in my power to make it so.”
“Please let me know if I can help in anyway.”
