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Liz isbehind the bar when I walk in.
Great.
I’ve already dealt with Devin today.
Now, her.
We’ve rarely been around each other without Maliki around, and she’s made it clear she’s not a fan of mine—his presence or not.
I should’ve taken the back entrance, but I wasn’t sure if Maliki was working.
She sourly stares at me while setting the clipboard in her hand onto the bar. I twist on my toes to head upstairs, but her voice stops me.
“You know how long I’ve wanted to bitch-slap you?”
Whoa.I expected an insult, smart-ass comment, definitely not bitch-slap talk.
“No, but you do it, and I’ll slap you back,” I quip.
“I see why my brother is infatuated with you.” Her tone is surprisingly sincere as a hint of a smile presses against her lips.
Whoa.I didn’t expected that … whatever it was … either.
I hitch my purse onto my shoulder. “Will there be any bitch-slapping going down?”
She shakes her head. “Maliki would never talk to me again if I laid a hand on you.”
I stay quiet, unsure of where she’s going with this uncomfortable-as-hell conversation.
She lifts her chin. “Are you divorcing him?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“My brother is in love with you.”
I retreat a step, wincing, and force a laugh. “I don’t know about that.” Another laugh.Please sound amused, not scared that she might be wrong.
“I do. I know him, and he’s in love with you. He might not admit it, but when you got married, it nearly broke him. Make him happy. He deserves it.”
“You’re crazy,” I stammer.
I have no doubt Maliki cares about and is attracted to me. He’s told me how much he wants to be together,butI’m still unsure of where our relationship stands. Does he even know how to have a relationship?
“No, you’re blind or too afraid to admit it like he is. You’re scared he’ll break your heart like your ex, but that won’t be Maliki. If you were another woman, eh, I wouldn’t say that, but it’s you. My brother has been obsessed with you for years.”
I gulp, unable to form the right words.
“In other news, I’m extending my leave from the bar. The bartending job is all yours for as long as you’d like.”
I smile weakly. “Thank you … for letting me keep my job.”
She picks up her clipboard. “You’re welcome. He’s upstairs.”
I walk up to the apartment and find Maliki in the bedroom, undressing, his well-defined back facing me. I gulp when he pulls his pants up.
I step forward, wrapping my arms around his waist, and hug him from behind. “Hey you.”
