Page 119 of Surrogate For My Best Friend’s Man 2

“Actually, yeah.”

When the cashier told him his total, I pulled my card out.

“I got it.”

Malik looked at me like I’d said something disrespectful. “Put that away.”

“It’s coffee.”

“I know what it is.”

“I’m buying it.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Malik..”

“Alisha.” The way he said my name made me stop. He tapped his own card then looked at me. “You insulting me.”

I laughed. “How am I insulting you by buying you coffee?”

“Trying to pay for my shit.”

“It was supposed to be an apology.”

“I don’t need you paying for nothing for me.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Okay.”

“Unlike Deuce, I’m a real nigga.”

My mouth dropped slightly. “You just had to throw that in there.”

“I did.”

“That was unnecessary.”

“But was I lying?”

I took a sip of my drink. “No comment.”

“Exactly.” He grabbed his coffee when it came and moved off to the side with me.

For a few seconds, we just stood there then Malik asked, “You good, though?”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I’m divorcing Deuce.”

His eyebrows lifted. “For real?”

“Filed.” I answered.

He looked genuinely surprised. “Damn.”

“Yep.”

“And you good with that?”

“Very.”