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Chapter Twenty Two
A soft hand grazed Claudia’s face rocking her gently. Opening her eyes, Claudia squinted and smiled at her mother.
“Good morning baby,” Adeline said. “Are you taking the day off?”
Claudia’s eyes widened as she propped herself up on her elbows.
“What time is it?”
“9:40.”
Claudia groaned and rolled to her back with arms splayed at her sides. Last night she’d had a blissful dream about Jaden rocking her world and apparently it had made her oversleep. Just after having that thought the ache between Claudia’s thighs told her otherwise. Pulling back to her elbows Claudia glanced at her mother. Had she heard her and Jaden last night? Memories of her wails and yelps came slamming to the forefront.
“I didn’t see Jaden leave. I guess you two kissed and made up?”
A flush of embarrassment fell over Claudia, and she rolled her face back into the pillows with another groan. It was then that she realized her bottom was bare. Frantically, Claudia reached down and pulled the covers over her nakedness.
“Too late for that, I used to wipe that little butt remember.”
Claudia groaned again. “Ma!”
“Well, I did.”
“Do you mind leaving the room so I can get myself together, please?”
“As soon as you get on the phone and rehire London.”
London. Claudia remembered firing her. Claudia had been so upset and disappointed with herself for letting Jaden get up under her skin that she’d fired London for letting him in. Jaden. There was no way she could get him out of her heart within a few days or even weeks. Last night, he’d spoken like she meant everything to him, but she told the truth about her current status. Claudia was damaged goods. And she didn’t want to bring a man down who had his stuff together.
“I’ll call London when I get to my office, but I’m already late. Now can you please step out so I can change?”
Adeline was good for putting up a fight, but this morning she didn’t feel like it. “Don’t come home without calling her.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” Adeline wiggled her butt off the bed, bracing her weight on the walker.
After she left, Claudia scurried out of bed and shut the door turning her back against it.
“Get it together girl, you’ve got a busy day.”
Claudia went about the business of showering, moisturizing and dressing. She pulled her hair off her face today and paid extra attention to applying her foundation. When she stepped in S & M Financial Advisory, Samiyah, Octavia, and Selena all had clients in their offices, which was fine by Claudia since she didn’t feel like talking anyway. She was still trying to sort out what she should do about Jaden.
Closing her door, Claudia rounded the desk. She hit the speaker and dialed a number.
“Ms. Stevens?”
“Good morning, London.” Claudia paused. “Listen, last night I was tired and upset. There was no reason for my behavior. I need you. Can you pick up where you left off?”
Claudia heard a sigh on the other line. “Of course, I am terribly sorry. You won’t have to worry about me doing that again.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. I’ll try not to overreact like that again.”
“Thank you, Ms. Stevens.”
“Just call me Claudia. We’re both around the same age, there’s no need for the formality.”
“Alright, I’ll head over there now.”