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Ignoring her, I rubbed her shoulder. “You okay?”

“You don’t have to baby me. I’m okay,” she muttered. Her tone was so soft, it made me want to do just that, baby her.

My hand found her soft hair. I brushed it away from her face before I let it drop at my side.

“Give me yo’ number,” I demanded as I pulled my phone out of my pocket.

“Excuse me?”

“Yo’ number, Yaya.”

“I don’t . . . I don’t think Aniya would appreciate that, and I really need this job, Gino.”

“Yo’ job is always gonna be safe. Matter of fact, you just got a thirty-dollar raise and a ten-thousand-dollar bonus. Now, give me yo’ number.” Her jaw dropped. I chuckled. “Yeah, aight, and when a fly goes up in that mothafucka, don’t come cryin’ to me.”

Her jaw snapped closed, and she finally rattled off her number.

“But why?”

Because it’s my right as yo’ future husband . . . Duh.

“I’ma FaceTime you as I go through the rooms she wants remodeled so you can help me wit’ the consultation.”

“Gino, this is ridiculous. I can walk around with you.”

I leaned down so my hand was pressed into the back of the couch and my mouth was only inches from hers. “Soon enough, you gonna learn that what I say goes.”

Her breath caught, and I grinned. Mrs. Larson’s hard of hearing ass interrupted our moment.

“Here you go.”

“Took you long enough.” I grumbled as I snatched the waters from her and handed one to Yara after twisting the top off.

“Please don’t mind him, Mrs. Larson. Thank you.” Yara cut her eyes at me.

“It’s no problem, Mrs. Grant,” Mrs. Larson said.

Yara squirmed. “Oh, I’m not⁠—”

“Let’s get started, Mrs. Hard of Hearing Larson.”

“Gino!” Yara gasped.

Mrs. Larson’s entire face was red, but I didn’t understand why.

Ignoring them both, I looked at Yara. “I’m ’bout to call you. Stay yo’ ass right there.”

Before she could object, I grabbed Mrs. Hard of Hearing Larson by the elbow and led her out of the living room, praying she hurried up so I could get my future wife home. My baby needed her beauty rest, so this shit needed to go by quickly.

Chapter Four

YARA

All my energy had been sucked right out of me today. I lay in bed with the fluffy white blanket pulled all the way up to my chin as I gazed at the TV, not really absorbing anything that showed on it. I couldn’t even tell you what I watched as the people moved around the screen.

After my infusions, I always felt completely drained, and it normally took a couple of days for the medicine to take effect. The best position for me at the moment was curled up in a ball, though I wished I had some water and had thought to warm up my leftovers from the lunch Gino brought me earlier, but I couldn’t be bothered to move.

Through my exhaustion, the thought of him made me smile. I didn’t understand the feelings I had for him. I’d never felt so drawn to a man before, and it was unfortunate and just my luck that very man was completely off-limits.