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“I know so. All I’m saying is when I pressed that nigga Flocco I was fully cognizant of the reaction I was going to receive.”

“Cognizant huh.” I repeated and tongued my cheek.

“Where was the cognition when you fucked outside of your relationship.” I gritted before realizing that this wasn’t the time and place for this conversation.

Before Julius could respond I stood and pushed my chair back.

“You know what—it doesn’t even matter. Let’s just focus on Jude this week and make sure he has the best birthday ever.

Our failed relationship issues are just that. No need to rehash anything.”

Walking off I ambled up the stairs to my bedroom. I needed this week to fly by so that Julius and I could go back to existing in two different spaces. My feelings were still raw from what had happened and the last thing either of us needed was for an argument to ruin my baby’s birthday.

______

Sliding my chair back I held my arms out for Jude. Once he was nestled in my lap, I secured my arms around him and rocked side to side.

“That’s why his ass spoiled now.” Tito tittered.

Glancing down at my baby I beamed. “I don’t care how old he gets he’s still my baby.

” Placing a kiss on Jude’s temple I focused my attention back on the conversation unfolding at the table.

Jude’s fifth birthday dinner had been a success.

Not only did my baby get to dine with the Ninja Turtles the resort had also set it up for SpongeBob and Patrick to attend his dinner.

Once everybody finished eating, he took pictures with his favorite characters.

Me, Jude, and Julius had taken a few pictures since we were matching and shit.

Something that I hadn’t planned at all, the shit kind of just went that way.

I didn’t put up much of a fight because my baby was happy.

All night he’d kept telling me how much he loved me and how much of a great mommy I was. Which let me know that I’d done my job.

“Wait. What are we doing tomorrow?” I asked Julius.

“I wanna go off the resort to do a little shopping.” Ms. Norma said. “Me and Sariah.” She added, making my mom nod. “

“I’ll send Lox with y’all.” He shared before turning to me. “What ‘bout you? What’s on your agenda?”

“I thought everybody was going to spend the day at the resort.” The resort was throwing a foam party tomorrow and Jude wanted to go to that, so I’d made it my business to invite everybody to spend the day with us. I should’ve known my mama and Ms. Norma would have other plans.

“We can still do that if you want. Ma Dukes n’em can go shopping and link back up with us whenever.”

“It’s up to y’all. The chef is supposed to come in the morning. I’m sure this one.” I glanced down at Jude “will sleep in.”

“Well, we can just play it by ear then.”

“Cool with me. Can you call the car around?”

“Already outside. You need me to handle anything, or we can slide?”

“They have your card on file so we should be good.”

“Bet.” He stood. “Y’all let’s roll out.” Julius grabbed Jude out of my arms and walked off.

“Mama call me in the morning before y’all leave the resort and please don’t go without security.”

“We won’t.” After telling everybody goodnight I hopped onto the sprinter with Julius and headed for the house.

Upon arriving back at the villa, I retired to my room while Julius made sure Jude got ready for bed. I was standing at the mirror removing my make up when my phone vibrated on the counter. Fighting back my smile I swiped my finger across the screen and propped the phone up.

Dip’s handsome face came into view. From the lights illuminating in his background, I could tell he was sitting outside around the pool. His favorite thing to do when he was at home. Swiping his tongue across his lip he smirked. “What’s up sexy.”

“Hey.” I grinned.

“What you got going on?”

“Just got back from dinner.”

“Lil man enjoy himself?” He asked.

“He did.” I nodded. “Apparently I’m an amazing mom.” I boasted and nibbled on my bottom lip.

“Glad to know. Maybe you’ll be equally as amazing to the ones I’mma put in you.”

“Oh, shut the fuck up.” I laughed.

“I’m fucking with ya.”

“I already know.”

“Yo baby daddy behaving himself?”

“He been cool. We almost had a lil spat yesterday but I didn’t let it go far.”

“That’s what’s up.” He yawned. “I ain’t want shit though. Was checking up on you.”

“In other words, you miss me huh.” I flirted.

“Lightweight.” He joked. “Nawl, I do. Tryna get on yo calendar when you touch back down in the A.”

“I’m sure Jude will be going with one of his Meme’s so you might get your wish.”

“I think I like the sound of that.”

“How was your day?”

“It was cool.” Rubbing his hand over the top of his head he elaborated. “Had an early morning call time for this shoot I did with Nike. Hell, I ain’t too long made it back to the crib.”

“How’d that go?”

“It was cool. It’s for the shoe I designed. Ya know the one I was telling you ‘bout.”

“I remember.” I acknowledged. “Gotta make sure I get me a pair when they?—”

The sound of my room door opening cut my words off. “Aye twin.” Julius called out, barging into my bathroom. When he noticed that I was on the phone his eyes narrowed. The way he was standing there looking I lowkey felt like I’d gotten caught doing something I shouldn’t have been doing.

That feeling quickly went away. Julius and I weren’t together, and he already knew Dip and I were talking. “What’s up?” I asked when I noticed that he hadn’t said shit.

Recovering quickly Julius said. “Oh, my bad.” Tossing his hands up he chuckled before backing out of the door with his eyes fixated on my phone screen.

“Baby daddy?” Dip asked.

“Yeah.” I sighed and rubbed my hand across my forehead.

“It’s cool. Gon’ handle yo business and hit me up tomorrow.”

“No. It’s okay.”

“Nawl Nariah. It’s clear you and that nigga got some shit y’all need to talk about. Handle that and hit me up tomorrow.”

“Dip.”

“We good. Handle ya business and I’mma holla at you aight.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah mama. I’m sure.”

“Okay.” I breathed. “Goodnight, Dip.”

“Goodnight lil baby.”

When the call ended, I finished taking off my makeup before hopping into the shower.

Julius and I had both agreed that me moving on was for the best. Even if we agreed I’m sure it wasn’t a good feeling for him to see me entertaining other niggas.

Just like I felt some type of way every time ole girl posted something about him.

Just like it wasn’t shit I could do about him being with somebody else, he couldn’t do anything about me and Dip. It might hurt him to see it, but this was our reality and at no fault of mine.