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"Her work is amazing, Real. Oh, my God. I saw some breathtaking pieces. I?—”
"She wants to design your wedding dress."
I don't know why the hell I told her that. She didn't, either. She paused, then looked up at me with a puzzled face.
"Wait, what? Where did that come from?" she queried.
I shrugged. "She assumed you and I... well, she promised to make you a beautiful bride for me."
At this point, it was obvious to me that I just wanted to see her reaction. Her eyes widened.
"And you didn't correct her?"
"Nah. She was convinced."
I swear she just blinked at me for a full minute. Then, she let out a crazy little laugh.
"That's sweet but misguided. Marriage ain't for me," Ev announced.
It was my turn to frown.
"You ain't married or separated or divorced. I know that from the background check. So, how you know?—”
"You ran a background check on me?"
I waved that away. "Of course, I did a background check. Man like me can't be caught out here slippin'. But how you know marriage ain't for you?"
Shaking her head, she chuckled. "Rich men, I swear."
She took off ahead of me, her steps quicker. Her ass was mad. I shook my head, about to follow her until I heard my name called. I looked back to see Madame G standing outside her door.
"What's up, lady?" I asked.
"I forget to tell you one thing. I see?—"
My head spun when I heard Ev make a sound, followed by an apology.
"It is very much okay,belle," a man's voice assured her. "If someone must run into me, I am happy it is such a beautiful someone. But really,chérie, we must stop meeting like this."
I locked eyes on him.
Fury flooded me.
I watchedas Real's eyes left me and focused on the man I had run into. Real’s nostrils flared slightly, and his mouth was tight. I could see his body tense, mirroring my own tension. Coincidences were possible, but I didn’t believe this one. This was the man from my neighborhood, minus little Assad. The man held onto my arms gently, but his eyes were definitely on Real.
"Aaqil. You must be lost?" Real asked, his voice low and scary. "And get your fucking hands off her.”
Reluctantly, Aaqil released me. Real moved in front of me, blocking my view. Feeling the negative energy between them, I peeked around Real's big, solid body. I watched, my attention all caught up as Aaqil, who obviously led the two men behind him, smirked at Real.
"I always know exactly where I am going, Montréal," he said in his accented voice.
"Get the fuck off my property," Real growled.
Aaqil chuckled as his eyes flitted to me. "And her? The beauty is your property, too?"
"Ay, bitch, stop playing with me before I slide yo' ass."
Real’s voice was strained with warning. The tightness in his body intensified as Aaqil’s grin spread.