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“You are so crazy. What was the issue?”

“We went to breakfast at Sunnyside Up, and they don’t accept AMEX. His Black Card declined; the only other card he had was something that he can only use outside of the country. A Dubai Royale Credit Card or something. So, I covered the meal.”

Miranda’s head snapped back.

“Dubai Royale First Mastercard?” Miranda asked, genuinely confused.

That particular credit card may not have meant a lot to Myla, but it was astronomical to Miranda. For over a decade, Miranda had worked as a High-Net-Worth Concierge for a bank so prestigious that applicants weren’t able to apply. Her role made her privy to all exclusive bank products.

Because of this she knew that the Dubai Royale First Mastercard is an ultra-exclusive invitation-only credit card that catered primarily to the luxury experiences of billionaires. There was no exception.

To her knowledge, no commercial realtors in Florida possessed this card. Those who did own such a card weren’t using it to purchase breakfast at a local café.

Miranda was leery of Dante from the moment she laid eyes on him. Now she was sure that she didn’t like or trust him.

“I’m glad you had a good meal, but maybe you should just focus on you right now. There’s a lot going on, and maybe, just maybe, occupying your time with a man is not the best idea,” Miranda said as calm as she possibly could.

She wanted to yell, BITCH! OPEN YOUR EYES! But she didn’t want to pull Myla completely out of her good mood.

No matter how calmly Miranda spoke, Myla could hear the disdain that her friend had for Dante. Miranda’s attitude let her know that she made the right choice by not telling her that Dante had picked her up from her place. If Miranda ever found out Dante had been at her house while she was away, she would truly lose her shit.

“Mimi.”

“Don’t Mimi me!” Miranda screamed.

Myla hoped calling Miranda by her childhood nickname would help Miranda retract her claws. She learned instantly that using the nickname didn’t work.

“What’s the issue? Do the two of you have history? Was he a fling that you never told me about?”

The questions hit Miranda so hard her ears rang. She shook her head, hoping to clear the noise.

“I know this bitch didn’t just ask me no shit like that,” Miranda screamed loudly, so angry that she had not realized that her internal thoughts had been spoken aloud.

Myla knew that she had messed up by asking that question. Anytime Miranda unknowingly spoke what was on her mind, things escalated.

“Mimi, I’m—”

“How dare you ask me some shit like that?” Miranda interrupted, sounding more hurt than angry. “I hate when you tell a person exactly what the issue is and they disregard it and create a bullshit reason because they don’t want to believe the truth. Do you know what’s funny?” She chuckled, even though there was nothing humorous.

“Growing up, we were taught to be cautious of red. Women who wore red nails or lipstick were whores, never trust a man wearing red shoes, but these red flags that are flying the fuck around, you’re intentionally acting like you can’t see them. Can’t see’em! Can’t see’em!” Miranda mocked as she placed her hands over her eyes to block out the imaginary red flags.

“This man was literally being chased by security guards; he gave you a janky-ass business card, then he took you to a restaurant knowing his card wouldn’t work!” Miranda screamed.

Myla could hear her frustration, but some of what Miranda said made no sense.

“Mimi, you are being dramatic. How was he supposed to know his card wouldn’t work?”

Miranda bit her lip. She was on the verge of calling Myla every type of dumb ass bitch.

“Myla, didn’t you tell me he said Sunnyside Up is his favorite restaurant? If it’s his favorite place to eat, he’s there enough to know what payments they will accept and which payments they won’t.”

Myla couldn’t deny that her friend had some valid points. There were things that had made her a little uneasy, but Dante was literally at her house trying to correct his mistakes. She didn’t think it was fair to write him off just yet.

“Look, I understand that there are some quirks about Dante, but I think you are blowing everything out of proportion. There’s no need to worry. At the moment, we’re just feeling each other out.”

Miranda was done. She could see now that Myla was locked in. No matter how many truths she presented, Myla would find a way to rebuff them. Myla hadn’t known this man a full day yet, and she was already smitten. Ignoring signs, refusing to connect the dots, and not using her professional expertise.

Miranda, and especially Myla, had seen women making excuses for a man’s piss poor behavior their entire lives. This was not her fight. She had a daughter to keep on the straight path. All she could do now was allow Myla to lie in the bed she was making for herself.