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“Aye, I’m gonna run in and check to see if shorty’s ready to roll right now or if she needs some time. You wanna chill here?”
“You know what? I’m gonna drop in and check on my doctor and see how she’s doing,” I replied and climbed out of the car.
“Cool. If you make it back to the car before me, hit me up, and you can come grab the keys from me.”
I nodded and headed inside. Jude followed me and we both stood outside of the elevators.
“So, you plan on turning that condo into a bachelor pad?”
“Nah. I ain’t bringing no females where I lay my head at. I don’t need that kind of energy or trouble right now,” I declared as we stepped onto the elevator.
I pushed the button for the third floor at the same time that Jude reached for the button. He stepped back and shoved his hands in his pockets.
“So, how’s Beth handling all this shit?”
“She’s up and down. It just depends on the day, the mood, and the moment. Some days she’s cussing my ass out about it, other days, she’s ignoring me, and then there are some days that she’s begging me to stay.”
“As long as you’re in the same crib, she’s gonna think she’s still got her hooks in you. That piece of paper doesn’t mean shit if you’re in the same space, and she can manipulate you.”
“Yeah, that’s why I’m getting out,” I muttered and pulled my fingers through my beard as I thought about the night before.
Beth had slipped into the bed with me and tried to suck me off. The elevator bell dinged, and I stepped out of the car and headed down the hall.
“I’ll see you in a minute,” I called as he stood in the middle of the hall, checking his phone for something.
“Aye, I’m heading in the same direction you are. What’s your doctor’s name again?” he asked as I pulled the glass doors open.
“Dr. Giselle Champagne.”
“Word? That’s the lady I’m coming to see.”
My heart dropped. No fucking way that Giselle had lost all her shit in that fire. I saw the extent of the damage done to the building on the news. I heard the reporter say that there wasn’t anything salvageable for the affected units.
I turned to Imani who sat behind the desk on a phone call. She looked up at me with inquisitive eyes before looking beyond me at Jude. She held up a finger while she finished her phone call, and it took everything in me to stay put. I wanted to rush through the doors and see Giselle with my own eyes. I wanted to make sure that she was okay.
Always being strong and being there for others. Again, I wondered who the hell was there for her.
“Hi, Mr. Perez. I don’t have you on the calendar for an appointment today.”
“I didn’t have one.”
“I’m sorry. Dr. Champagne has cleared her calendar for today. She’s not taking any patients.”
“Good,” I replied. “I’m here as a friend.”
She frowned, and Jude stepped forward. “Hi, Ms. Yancy,” he stated, looking at the nameplate on her desk. He extended his hand, and she took it and smiled flirtatiously. “I’m Jude Rome, a friend of his, and I was sent by Dr. Champagne’s sister, Genevieve.”
“Oh, yes, the realtor. She’s been expecting you,” Imani stated and picked up the phone once again.
When I looked at Jude, he beamed at me, and I wanted to knock the smile off that nigga’s face. Imani walked from behind her desk, and we followed her back to Giselle’s office. She knocked, and then I could faintly hear Giselle call out, “Come in.”
“Dr. Champagne, Mr. Roman, the realtor, is here. And also, Mr.—”
“Giselle, are you okay?” I asked, pushing past both Jude and a startled Imani. Giselle’s eyes flew to my face, and shock was etched on hers.
“Casim—” She didn’t finish calling my first name before she looked up and noticed that both Imani and Carter were staring at her.
“Uhm, Mr. Perez, I’m not taking patients today.”