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My phone was ringing off the hook, causing me to roll over and snatch it from under my pillow. There was no good reason for me to be awake at nine in the morning on a Sunday. I wasn’t going into the store. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t planning on doing anything. Seeing Bishop’s name on the caller ID made me roll my eyes. What the hell could he want so early in the morning?

“Hello?” I answered as I snuggled back under my covers.

“I heard you showed your ass at dinner,” he scolded.

“Good morning, Bishop. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Help me understand why you’re trying to fuck this up, Divine. You know why we’re doing this. I need you to cooperate until we can get our ducks in a row.”

“I went on the little date, Bish.”

“Yeah, and I heard that, true to form, you stormed out like a child as soon as things weren’t going your way.”

“That’s not exactly what happened. Dude was rude as hell as I’m sure you already know. He was talking crazy about how I shouldn’t wear shorts out in public and how I wasn’t about to make him look bad as if he could look any worse than he already does. He’s lucky I didn’t tell Syre and Maven how he was talking to me.”

Bishop sighed audibly. “Was he that bad, baby girl?”

“Yes! He was an asshole. I expected him to be a little rough around the edges because I had heard a few things about him, but he was a nightmare. He threatened to leak some videos of Liam beating Sherrod up one night in a hotel bar. That was a long time ago. I even gave him another chance after that.”

“Can you try to play along until I can make something shake? I’m trying to course correct the situation, Divine. It’s not as easy as you think.”

“I tried, Bishop. I don’t think I can be around him without slapping the taste out of his mouth.”

“If you have to do it make sure it’s not at the pool party today,” Bishop warned.

I scoffed. “I’m not going to that damn party.”

“You’re going to that party if I have to pick you up and take you.”

“Bishop,” I whined.

“I’ll be there to make sure nothing too crazy goes on.”

“Or will you be there to make sure I behave?” I countered.

“Both…if necessary. The party starts at three, Divine. Don’t be the last one to show up. It’s not a good look.”

“Should I wear pants or one of those old-fashioned bathing suits with the snaps in the back?”

He chuckled but answered the question anyway. “Just make sure you’re there, baby. That’s all I ask of you.”

“And behave right?”

“If it’s not too much to ask for.”

“I’ll try.”

“Do more than try. You already know as soon as a nigga starts talking sideways, the party is over,” Bishop threatened.

“Oh, God. Is Syre coming?” I asked.

“Hell no. I can’t risk it.”

“Well, at least there’s that. I’ll be there, Bishop, but I’m telling you I’m not going to like it.”

“You don’t have to like it, baby. I’ll be there as a buffer, OK?”

“OK.” I nodded as if he could see me.