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“Don’t make me come over there.” Allie sucked her teeth. “Grant is still messing with Celeste. Did you know that?”
Cameron released a sigh. “Allie, you know I don’t discuss your brother’s business with you. Grant is a grown man making whatever choices he wants to make. He doesn’t need you trying to interfere with his personal life. If he wants to fuck Celeste, that is on him; not me or you. I thought you were calling about something important like how you need to take care of something since you couldn’t last night.”
“Really? Is that all you’re concerned about right now? Not your best friend making the worst mistake of his life again. Take care of that thing yourself.”
“A’ight, I’m going to remember that. But for real, we tried to warn him about Mariah, and that didn’t work. Grant sees what he wants to see in the person he is with. It is not up to us to say who could be a potential problem. Grant knows why he allowed Celeste back in his life. Maybe she is just a distraction from the real woman he wants.”
“I know. I just don’t want to see him miss out on someone that could be great for him and Chanel.”
“In Grant’s time, he will make a move, but since you not talkin’ ‘bout what is important for me, get off my phone. I need to finish my nap.”
“Whatever, I’ll be over later. I do have a special project I’m working on and need your advice. I’ll see you at 7 o’clock.”
“Don’t come this way without food and none of that tofu fu-fu mess. Bring a real man’s meal.”
Allie heard a dial tone in her ear. “Ooh, that ninja!” Allie hung up the phone knowing Cameron was right. Allie just hoped Grant would see that Aubree was who he wanted.
***
“Nova, why in the hell are you changing this window display again? We just changed it for the benefit gala now you want to change it again! Girl, you better find you some real help. All this free labor we are giving you is not good for our friendship.”
“Stop complaining and take the lights down.” Aubree laughed at Ivy. She had been bitching since yesterday when they agreed to help Nova change the window displays. Nova was preparing for the holiday season with elaborate window scenes that drew customers to her boutique. They were decorating for the Halloween display and Football homecomings. High school students would swarm the downtown Main Square looking for a one-of-a-kind homecoming dress and Halloween costumes. Aubree and Ivy always pitched in to help Nova during this season.
“Ivy, get your ass in gear so we can finish this display. I’m hungry.” They had been working on the Halloween display since 8:00 AM and Aubree’s stomach was grumbling and groaning with objections from the lack of nourishment. She was ready to order lunch.
They were in the middle of hanging the moon for the display when chimes went off. Aubree felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise as Nova stopped to greet the customer. A dark and ruggedly handsome stranger walked in the boutique and began looking around. Aubree eyed the young man trying to remember where she had seen him before. He scanned the boutique like he was casing the place, scoping out the cameras or security system. His attire made him stand out with the connected G’s and F’s going in the wrong directions, bad imitations of the real things. Aubree approached him with a beaming smile.
“Hi, welcome to Nova Moon! Is there anything that you’re looking for that I can help you with?”
The young man turned toward Aubree undressing her with his eyes. “Whadup shortie?” He licked his lips and rubbed his hands together. “Aye, do you know what would look good on me? You.”
Aubree’s face scrunched up while Nova and Ivy stopped working to turn towards the man.
“Excuse me! That may have worked on the last little girl you talked to, but I am a grown woman.” Nova and Ivy made their way close to Aubree to make sure nothing would happen.
“My bad, lil’ momma. I’m just tryna kick it witcha.” He smiled, displaying a diamond grill on the bottom row of his teeth. Aubree knew his type and knew he did not belong on Market Row shopping. He reminded her of the shady people Gerald associated with when she lived in Memphis.
“Really! Well—”
Before Aubree could get her next words out, a small person in pink ran into her. “Breezy! You’re here!” Chanel charged to Aubree and wrapped her arms around Aubree’s waist and hugged her tight. Aubree could barely breathe. Chanel gave her life with just a smile. “Woah, Chanel, sweetie, what are you doing here?”
“I’m with my daddy, and we are shopping.” Before Chanel said the last word, Grant came through the door carrying bags from the exclusive boutiques on Market Row. “There he is! Daddy, look who I found!” Aubree spun around with wide eyes as Grant strolled in the store oozing sex appeal. If ‘come fuck me’ was a person, Grant would be the picture next to the phrase. He was sexy as hell in his athletic Nike gear from head to toe. Tight ass and muscles all over his body. Aubree knew her mouth was hanging open watching him; she just hoped she could breathe before she lost consciousness. Grant was going to make her beg him to fuck her, not make love. Hot, nasty, body slapping, fucking. Yep, he knew it, and she did too.
Grant kept his eyes on Aubree as he made his way to where Chanel and Aubree stood towards the middle of the boutique. He noticed a man standing next to Aubree and wondered if that was her boyfriend. If he was, then he was a damn fool for letting her wear that one-piece jumpsuit. All he could see were ass and breasts in the tight, pink short jumpsuit. Her toned golden thighs were calling him to caress and kiss them. Grant wondered what she looked like without clothes covering her lethal body. Slowly walking over toward Chanel, Grant eyed the man that was standing next to Aubree sizing him up. “Naw, this couldn’t be her man,” Grant whispered to himself. Smirking at Aubree, Grant decided to test the waters on his theory.
“Hey, babe, sorry we’re late. We were at Girlie Girls getting Chanel some new clothes, lost track of time and forgot which store you were going to.”
Grant leaned over a lightly kissed Aubree on the lips. He could have sworn that Aubree leaned in slightly during the kiss. “Are you ready for lunch? Since we didn’t eat much last night or this morning, I’m starving Bree.” Grant kissed the corner of her lips. “Let’s get out of here.” Grant grabbed Aubree’s hand and lightly tugged her hand, and her feet began to move in step with him.
Aubree couldn’t believe this asshole walked in here and just walked over the young man like he was invisible. Her brain was turned to mush, heart palpitating, and panties drenched in that moment. Grant strolled in the store and turned her world upside down with just his presence and his masculine energy. The other guy didn’t stand a chance with Aubree, but Grant shut down any expectation or chance the young man thought he could have with Aubree. Words were flowing out of Chanel’s mouth nonstop about her night with her Aunt Allie and the clothes Grant just bought. But Aubree couldn’t focus on the conversation for trying to figure out what this meant for her and Grant.
Was he just trying to save her from a questionable looking man? Was this part of the turn in their relationship? Could she even call it a relationship? Was this a game with Grant? So many questions were floating around in Aubree’s head she didn’t notice that Grant and Chanel had stopped in front of Croque Monsieur’s French sandwich shop in the heart of the square. The bright red painted doors of the building reminded Aubree of French bistros from a movie or television show. Beautiful rout iron tables and chairs lined the walkway outside in front of the restaurant to giver diners a French experience. There was even a chalkboard sign listing the daily specials with lush green plants hanging from the light post. Anytime Aubree was assisting Nova at her boutique, they always had lunch or dinner delivered from the bistro.
Stopping at the door, Aubree pulled her hand back from Grant’s hold and stared at him. “I appreciate what you did back there at the store, but I don’t want to interrupt lunch plans with Chanel. It is very kind of you to invite me really. You two should enjoy this beautiful day together.” Aubree rambled on as Grant and Chanel stared at her.
“You have to have lunch with us! You just have to! Please, pretty please,” Chanel begged with her lips poked out.
“It is no trouble at all, and it is the least I can do since I busted up your company at the store.” Grant smiled that devilishly handsome smile that would have any woman swooning. He wasn’t sorry for interrupting her conversation with the young dude that was trying to holler at her because he knew the boy didn’t have a chance with Aubree. “Come on, lunch is my treat, and who can say no to a free meal?” Grant held out his hand for Aubree to take it. She stood still looking at Grant’s hand and Chanel’s pleading eyes.
