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“What did you think?”
“About what?” I stared at him quizzically.
“Dahlia.”
“Oh,” I huffed. “Was I supposed to think anything?”
“No. I mean, I guess not. You’re dating her ex, so I just thought.”
“Her ex, my current,” I clarified. “She’s a pretty girl. Seems pleasant.”
“You know how you cisgender females get.”
“Cisgender? I’m a woman.”
“It’s all the same Tali,” he groaned. “As I was saying, you know how you women get when you run into your man’s ex. All territorial and immediately dislike the ex.”
“I’m not most females. I don’t know lil’ mama enough to dislike her or make assumptions about her.”
“She left him because he wasn’t willing to commit, Tali,” Rossi blurted.
“What that mean to me?” I asked and spooned the delicious soup into my mouth.
“You’re not worried that you’ll end up in the same position?”
I knew Rossi’s line of questions were because he was concerned for me and had my best interest at heart. However, I was a big girl. Capable of taking care of myself in lieu of a bad breakup. I already felt like nothing was permanent anyways, so I had pretty much trained myself for the day whatever I and Law had going on ended.
To answer his question, I shook my head. “I’m really not. I have no expectations when it comes to this thing with Law. We’ve had plenty of conversations where things were outlined. I know what he does and doesn’t want for his life. I would be a fool to think that my pussy was so good that I’ll have that man altering his whole life to be with me.
I’m not the fairy tale type of girl, Rossi. And I appreciate the concern, but I promise… I got me boo.”
“Are you sure? You care about him. I saw the way the two of you interacted that day at the game. You’re smitten Tali and I don’t want you to end up hurt. God knows these kids can’t deal with another person skipping out on them.”
“Of course, I’m smitten. He’s amazing in everything that he does. And believe me, as amazing as he is, I have no problem walking away fromhim. What I won’t do is walk away from thiscenter or these kids. He’s not that fucking amazing,” I deduced, hoping that Rossi understood that I had me.
“Okay,” he finally sighed. “I just don’t want you to receive the same fate that Dah did. She stayed for years praying that he would change, and he never did.”
“And that’s the difference between us. I’m okay with who he is in the present. Law doesn’t have to change for me.”
“Put me in my place then girl,” Rossi sassed.
“No. It’s not like that at all. Like I said… I’m not that fairy tale type of girl. I care a great deal about him but if we were to end, my life would not be put on hold.”
“I wished Dah had that same mindset. It would’ve saved her years of heartache.”
“She’s pregnant. Clearly, she got over that shit quick.”
“I guess she did.” He giggled like a childish schoolgirl.
“Since you’re in here… all up in my business. I need you to send that box off to Quan for me. Gema is leaving in the morning so I wanna slip out an hour early so I can take her to dinner.”
“I can do that. I mean now that I’ve been promoted to Project Coordinator, I have spare times on my hands.”
“You do, huh?” I teased.
“Yes…” he sang. “You don’t know how much that means to me Tali. I so appreciate you for recognizing my hard work.”
“Anything for you babe.”