Page 32 of Definitely Not a Thing

“No,” I shook my head. “Notuh-oh. Just… a regularoh.Not a big deal.”

She sucked her teeth. “Definitely a big deal – he’s already grinning in another woman’s face and it’s barely been what… a damn fortnight?”

“In his defense, he saw me hugged up with my neighbor like a week ago.”

Shia blinked. “Wait a minute… hugged up with a neighbor? Who?!”

“Nobody,” I denied. “Or… not nobody, it just wasn’t actually like that. He thought he was doing me a favor.”

And shit… maybe he had.

Cause being posted up in Urban Grind with another woman – like hewantedit to be seen, to get back to me… Maybe I was overthinking it.

Or… maybe it was just a bitch move.

Either way, it was a poor use of my attention.

“So… about this Jeanie situation,” I said, directing our meeting back on track. Shia gave me a look but didn’t push it, shifting back to the matter at hand.

Thirty minutes later we had a plan in place – not just about Jeanie and her antics, but how to prevent future occurrences. When Shia decided she was going to head out, I opted to go too, hoping that having company would help me get out of the shop without interacting with Hunter.

Even though it was fine to leave your used dishes at the tables, I never did, opting to drop them off at one of the little stations instead, to save the staff a bit of work.

It was just my luck that today, I wasalmostthere,almostfree… and then my mug slid off the saucer, rolling right into the dish station with a loudclangthat brought all eyes to me.

No good deed goes unpunished.

My gaze immediately went to Hunter, who was, indeed, looking.

Hard.

Wondering.

I let my eyes narrow.

Yes, I see you.

Yes, I see her.

Yes, I care.

I looked away.

Slid my saucer into place where it was supposed to be, and went on about my business.

“You okay?” Shia asked as we left.

“Peachy.”

8/

amelia

I wentto Winnie’s class.

Unfortunately though,Kick A Nigga Ass Or Somethingwas only a sufficient distraction while I was actively imagining Hunter’s head as the target of my mimed punches.

Great workout though, and I was a little sad when it was over, entirely too soon.