Page 14 of A Million Boss Kisses

I left his stupid ass in the middle of the bathroom and went to shower in a guest bedroom.

When I came out with my robe tied around my waist, I heard Quinten and his parents talking on the floor beneath us.

Ignoring their conversation, I went back into the master bedroom and quickly got dressed before Quinten could come back.

He didn’t even deserve to see me naked again.

Rolling my suitcase out of the bedroom, I made it to the stairs before Quinten’s fake ass rushed up the stairs to carry it down for me. I didn’t complain, though. I might’ve broken my neck if I tried to carry it downstairs in these heels.

“You two just belong together. I think it’s time y’all cut out all that fussing.

Lil Q needs to be back home with his father.

Families are stronger together in this life.

I’m sure Vincent taught you that.” The lecture started off directed at both of us, but that last part, Quora put a lil umph in her tone just for me.

“My uncle definitely taught me that. I just wish your son was taught to take care of his children no matter the circumstances,” I retorted with a passive aggressive smile because I was over all of their bullshit.

All three of them visibly became bothered, but I couldn’t give a fuck.

“Did Quinten tell you how he hasn’t covered any of Quincy’s school expenses since he started college? He just started his sophomore year and still nothing. I’m sure you were aware, Troy.”

Quora’s eyebrows narrowed and she looked between the men. Troy started coughing into his handy-dandy napkin, and she rushed to rub his back. What I wouldn’t give to see that bitch choke on his own phlegm.

“My God, how did we get here? Marriages have ups and downs, but there isn’t anything you can’t get through.

Especially in this life, divorce has never been on the table.

Why are you trying so hard to go against the grain?

Now Quinten said the infidelity was in the past and…

” I tuned Quora out because I didn’t want to hear that doormat ass speech.

“I’m not in the mood for none of this. Troy, did you have anything to do with this prenup that mysteriously appeared out of thin air? Like Quora just said, divorce has never been on the table, so why the hell would a prenup?”

“Prenup?” Quora’s naive ass muttered.

“You didn’t tell her about this prenup I supposedly signed either? Well, what do they tell you?” I questioned Quora.

Usually, I had the utmost respect for my elders. After losing my parents, my uncle and grandmother raised me. I had a soft spot in my heart for the elderly, just not these two because they were trying to roll over me, and I’d allowed it to go on for the past year. That shit stopped now.

“I’m going to leave gracefully before this erupts into a never ending shouting match,” I announced.

Grabbing my suitcase, I headed for the doors. “What about the Bentley Foundation Fundraiser?”

“Tell your son to throw on a suit and accompany you since you wanna coddle him so bad,” I suggested with a smile.

Quinten followed me to the car, attempting to make amends every step of the way but I was done.

I couldn’t even fake it for this event tonight.

Looking back at the house, I had desperately wanted to keep it after the divorce because of the sentimental value.

This was where our children were raised, and my boys meant everything to me.

But now, I realized that above all else, I wanted my peace.

After a few minutes of pleading that fell on deaf ears, Quinten finally got the hint and closed my car door.

I took a moment to check my phone and saw I had texts from Quincy, Lil Q, Karina, and Benjamin.

After quickly checking in with my boys, I went to Benjamin’s text thread.

I actually met him coming out of Alexandria’s office the day I retained her for the divorce process.

He was a lawyer for another firm in the same building.

We exchanged a few texts the day I gave him my number, but I had been ignoring him since then, so the text today caught me by surprise.

Benjamin: You flew into Miami and didn’t tell me? I thought we were better than that, Marissa. I’m free this weekend so tell me a time and I’ll set something up.

There was a screenshot of my Instagram story that contained a picture of me before I went on my run and had breakfast solo this morning. A smile spread across my face as I typed up a response.

Me: I didn’t take you for the stalker type.

After sending the text, I connected my phone to the car and pulled out of the driveway, easing into traffic. A response came through moments later, and my car read it to me.

Benjamin: I’m not. But that’s one of my favorite breakfast spots so I know that background from anywhere.

Since I was driving aimlessly, I decided to call him. “Hello,” his voice came through the car speakers.

“No way that’s your favorite spot, and we never ran into each other. I had to hit them up today since I rarely come back to Miami anymore.”

“Shit, we might have, but I don’t make it a habit of approaching married women, so your ring would’ve scared me off. You want to meet for an early dinner? What other spots do you like to hit when you come to town?”

“Ummm, let’s do Oleans,” I suggested because we wouldn’t have to struggle to find parking there. The private parking lot and lamb chops made it one of my go to spots if I wanted to eat on the beach. “I’m already dressed, so I can head that way. How long would it take you?”

“I’m at the crib so it’ll take me like thirty minutes.”

“Okay. I’ll see you there.”

“See you soon,” he confirmed.

We ended the call, and I made my way to the restaurant with my R&B playlist turned to the max.

I was suddenly in a better mood now that king crab was on the menu.

Being back in Miami for these few days made me realize how much I actually missed knowing the food scene, but I didn’t miss the traffic.

Tampa could have its moments, but it was definitely a lot easier to navigate in my opinion.

After struggling to find a parking spot, I relaxed in my seat while checking the text from Karina that I still hadn’t addressed.

BFF: How is the trip going? You better not be in those damn joggers while you’re down there. Fine shit only, please. Is Quora on your last nerve at that charity event yet?

Me: I’m not wearing joggers. I only brought a jogger set for my flight home. I didn’t go to the charity event. Fuck them people for real. I mean it this time. The entire family can kiss my black ass.

BFF: I’m sorry friend.

Me: It’s cool. I have so much to tell you when I get back to Tampa, we must have a FaceTime date.

BFF: I’ll be waiting.

Me: In the meantime I’ve come up with a theory.

BFF: What’s that?

Me: Most fuck niggas got an ugly ass mama behind them. She never had a man treat her fugly ass good and that’s why she enjoys seeing her son drag a pretty bitch through the mud.

-Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

BFF: Why are you like this?

Me: My soon to be ex-husband’s mama is ugly.

Sweet lady when she wanna be, a little dense at times but she’s definitely not a looker at all.

Plus your no good first husband’s mama wasn’t a looker either.

Moral of the story is I’m never dating a nigga with an ugly ass mama again.

They have a sordid track record around here.

I’m digging in all future suitors family trees before we take it anywhere.

No more all my life I had to fight ass bitches.

BFF:

Me: I’ll call you when I get home tomorrow. I gotta go look up this nigga I’m about to have dinner with mama. Make sure before I even share this meal.

BFF: Oh you better call me as soon as you get settled tomorrow! You went to Miami and let loose. I love this for you.

Me: If I can book a flight tonight I might be back home tonight.

BFF: That bad? Don’t let them stress you. Enjoy your date. If he fine let him scratch the cat. You know you need it!

Me: I have a confession. I don’t even know if she works anymore. I haven’t been horny since I moved out of Quinten’s house.

I went to send Karina another text about how Yaseer reignited something within me, but Benjamin was calling to let me know that he was parking.

I took a quick moment to reapply my lip gloss and make sure my hair didn’t look like a bird’s nest, since I hadn’t bothered to do it after my shower.

Pleased with my appearance, I stepped out of my car and strutted in the direction of the restaurant, optimistic about my evening with Benjamin.

Benjamin was the perfect gentleman the entire night. We laughed, talked, and enjoyed every bite of our meals without a single awkward pause between us. My first date with another man in twenty-five years gave me an extra boost of confidence that I didn’t even know I needed.