Page 104 of Buy Back My Love

“She drunk.”

“Both can be true.”

I rolled my eyes, and he nodded toward the staircase. “Walk upstairs with me for a minute.”

“For what?”

“Let’s chop it up.”

I glanced back toward the girls. Anika had already forgotten all about me and was dancing with Princess like she hadn’t just come over being nosy.

“I’m coming right back,” I called.

“Take your time!” Anika yelled without even turning around.

I shook my head and followed Van upstairs while he laughed behind me.

The second floor was quieter, with a balcony overlooking the street. The bass still came through the floorboards, but up there we could actually hear each other without yelling. Van leaned against the railing, and I stopped beside him.

“You good?” he asked.

He was still checking on me after everything with JB.

“Yeah. I’m getting there.”

He nodded and left it there. “What you been up to?”

“Trying to find somewhere to work. I’m ready to get back to doing nails, but finding a suite has been a mess.”

“What happened?”

“I got the money for rent, and I already got people asking when I’m taking appointments. Everything be good until that background check comes back.” I leaned against the railing beside him. “One place was basically mine. Then the owner found out about my felony and suddenly she needed to think about it. Ain’t heard from her since.”

“That’s messed up.”

“Tell me about it. I did my time, but apparently that don’t mean everybody else done with it.”

Van was quiet for a second, and I could tell he was listening instead of just waiting on his turn to talk. I liked that.

Then I remembered something.

“So where your girlfriend?”

Van turned his head toward me. “My who?”

“That girl you was with the other night.”

“She wasn’t my girlfriend.”

“You ain’t gotta lie.”

“I know I don’t.” He gave me a look. “I’m single.”

“So what was she?”

“A date.”

“Oh.”