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“That’s exactly what you’re doing. In the meantime, I’m going to reach out to Bishop to see where he is on finding a way out of this shit. I might have to pull some strings.”

“It’s a wonder he hasn’t come to you already. I figured they were going to drill you about that little situation just like they did me before they told me what I had to do to make it right.”

“I know. That’s what gives me pause. They might be planning to do something to me.”

“Lee Lee, don’t say that.” I shook my head.

“Can you blame them, Cook? I got you into this mess acting off emotion instead of logic.”

“Yes, I can blame them, Liam. I trust your judgment.”

“I know you might, but that doesn’t mean your family does.”

“I know for a fact if they didn’t trust you around me anymore, you wouldn’t be around.”

“I can go for that.” He nodded.

Liam pulled out a stool and made himself comfortable at the counter. Since he was here now, I walked over to the deep freezer out front and removed a preset cup of frozen fruit and ingredients. While he watched, I went about the task of making a blueberry muffin smoothie.

It was Liam’s favorite. Hell, it was his idea. I had about four menu items that had been inspired by his suggestions. If I didn’t think Syre would read into it, I would have named a drink after him by now. It was still on the table, but for now, I wanted to be as careful as possible.

“One blueberry muffin smoothie and a pineapple ginger shot for you, Mr. Grimes,” I said, picking up a shot from the rack as I walked over and gave him the drinks.

“You took your ginger shot this morning?”

“Yes, sir.” I winked.

Liam’s nostrils flared as he picked up the little shot bottle and took it to the head. Once he was finished, his lips curled into a smile.

“You know I love that shit. I don’t know why you insist on playing with me right now.”

“You already know I’m a big tease.”

“Don’t play with me, lady.”

I grinned as I considered what I would say next. I looked at my watch before making a decision. We had a little over twenty minutes before Zane was set to arrive. That was considering that he didn’t show up early.

“I have a little time to really play with you if you’d like,” I said low enough for only Liam to hear.

“Nah, I don’t want to start to get sloppy just because I’m feeling fucked up about you entertaining another nigga.”

“I’m not entertaining another nigga,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“You are, but it’s cool.”

“Well, I don’t like to think of it that way.” I sulked.

“You might not like to think of it that way, but I don’t like to think about it at all. Keeping the situation in mind helps, but remembering that I’m just your bodyguard at the end of the day helps even more.”

“Stop saying that, Liam,” I snapped, scowling as I looked around.

Leslie wasn’t paying the first bit of attention to me or Liam as she rang up a couple of customers. Anthony had shown up and was helping her fill their orders. Neither of them were concerned about us. I grabbed Liam’s arm and pulled him to the back. Nudging the door to my office open, I backed in and kept my hold on his hand.

“What are you doing, Divine?”

“Trying to show you that you’re not just my bodyguard,” I said, fumbling with the button on his jeans.

“Why? It’s true, Divine. That’s what everyone sees when they see us together. The sooner you accept that the better.”