Page 88 of The Need to Know

Leslie eyed him. “Because that’s the reason for most breakups dealin’ with y’all.”

Cesar pawed at his chest. “That’s for kids.”

“Fool, you can have a birthday tomorrow and still be a cheater. Age don’t stop infidelity.”

“Got that right,” Nastasia agreed.

“Nah, I’m older now,” Cesar insisted. “When I was, like, twenty, I wasn’t trying to stick with just one woman, there was too much out there and I was way too curious. Now, my tastes are different and my wants and interests are different.” He cupped Leslie’s knee and squeezed. “I know what I want now and I have who I want, so I’m not thinkin’ about playin’ in another sandbox.”

Leslie went forth and bathed his face in kisses.

Nastasia raised her glass to Leslie. “Mind telling me what spell you used, I think I might need it for when I get back out there.”

I laughed along with the rest of the room.

“Take your time, girl,” Leslie insisted.

“I took a year and some change off, I’m ready,” Nastasia said. “I want to go out on dates and have someone to do things with, you know? Little by little, I’m ready to move on and find someone.”

Leslie held up her finger. “I feel like going through a bad relationship can really help you learn what you want and what you won’t stand for unfortunately.”

“Definitely,” Nastasia replied. “You can be caring, nasty in bed, and understanding and they’ll still cheat, and I think that took me a while to get. I know my worth now and when to walk away.”

“Good sex is not going to keep a man. Trust me, I’ve been there,” Leslie said.

I scratched at my jaw. “It’s never on you, though. So, don’t blame yourself. A woman can be damn near perfect, but sometimes that urge hits you and you gotta strike.”

Nastasia turned and faced me. Her eyes were empty and her lips slightly parted. “So you don’t believe in being faithful?”

These were my people, and this was an open discussion. No room for judgment. So, I sat up to offer my take. “See, for men it’s different. It don’t matter how good your sex is, because there’s always the prospect of something new. That need to know how good that woman walking into the room is. It doesn’t matter what you have in-house and how good it is, because can’t nothing beat that new.”

Nastasia’s lips twisted into an ugly scowl. “But when we stray y’all cry.”

“Because no man wants another king in his castle. Some of y’all got that perfect trifecta, and to have someone else experience it? Nah.”

She was disgusted. “Your male logic on cheating is bullshit.”

I snorted, easing back down. “That’s why I’m single. I’m not stringin’ no one along and I’m not hurtin’ anyone. Most men ain’t shit, but some of y’all be settin’ yourselves up.”

Nastasia rolled her eyes. “Sure.”

“Nah, if I’m up-front and honest, and I tell you directly I just wanna fuck, why am I the bad guy when you catch feelings?”

She shrugged. “Don’t have good dick.”

I laughed. “Of course, that’s ya logic.”

Nastasia loosened up. “No, sometimes we do make up fantasies or read too much into things. But some of y’all know exactly what you be doin’ with how you be moving.”

I reached out to touch her and she moved away. She busied herself with setting her glass down on the coaster on the coffee table.

“Times have changed,” Leslie said, gaining our attention. “You don’t have to find the one in your twenties. Be selfish and explore. I respect men like Ezekiel for being blunt about it. It’s time women do the same and look out for themselves.”

Nastasia peered back at me. I didn’t like the way her energy had changed, the shift between us.

I reached out and grabbed her hand, going and guiding her down to me. She didn’t fight me, and as soon as we were close, I was in her ear. “I’m with Cease.”

“And what’s that mean?” she wanted to know.