Page 7 of Love's Most Wanted

“So is this the brother who proposed to his girlfriend at his yacht party?” I quizzed as I sat beside Unique, a tray of breakfast before me. This was good living.

“It is.” He nodded. “Why?”

“He made AJ jump off the boat, is very fine,andhe’s rich? I wish he was single,” I joked, making Unique shake his head.

“Well he not, and you married.”

“Yeah, but I won’t be for long.” I winked as they told us to buckle ourselves up and to prepare for takeoff.

I couldn’t help but notice the elongated stare Unique gave me after my statement. I just hoped he got in contact with a lawyer as soon as we landed because the last thing I needed was to be exposed as a side chick and homie hopper adjacent in less than twenty-four hours.

ONE WEEK LATER…

The soundof someone entering my apartment startled me awake. Quickly, I grabbed my pepper spray I kept in the nightstand beside me as I threw the comforter off my lap and climbed from the bed as soundlessly as I could.

As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I spotted AJ standing there and looking extremely stupid. The nigga had been sending flowers, gifts, and calling me nonstop ever since I found out he had a wife at his work party.

I noticed, though, that he only called and never attempted to stop by, which told me he was laid up with his wife, creeping off to phone me when he could. The thought disgusted me.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I frowned, not caring about the roses he held onto tightly, appearing like his life was over. “You need to go.” I bypassed him for the door, but he grabbed my arm, making me snatch from him. I slapped the shit out of him, and he shut his eyes as if to dull the pain.

“Let me explain, Brina.” He blinked rapidly, clearly still experiencing a sting.

“It’sKabrina, and no.” I always hated the nickname he gave me but suffered through it because I loved him, and it was a small hiccup in the grand scheme of things. But now, I wasn’t about to answer to that ugly shit.

“I love you. I don’t love her, and honestly, I never have, baby. It’s just, right now… I’m working on coming up, and it wouldn’t look good for me to divorce Zosia. When I fully make a name for myself and solidify my position in Hollywood, I’m leaving her ass, and I’m gon’ marry you. I promise.” He gave me a creepy smile like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to smile or keep looking sullen, so he chose an in between.

Folding my arms, I moved closer to him and said, “Bullshit. Now give me the spare key and get the fuck out.”

“Bullshit?” His lip curled in disgust like he was offended that I didn’t fall for his story time. “Ain’t nothing I say bullshit!”

“Oh, no? When you told me you were single, that wasn’t bullshit? Or that you loved me and couldn’t wait to have me as a wife? That wasn’t bullshit?”

“Nah, it wasn’t, and I’ve felt single for years?—”

“Nigga, shut the fuck up and get out of my apartment!”

Seething, he replied, “Your apartment? Last I checked, I paid for this shit. Just like I paid for ya fucking car and half of that designer you got hanging in yo’ fucking closet! So how about you give me yo’ damn key and get the hell out!”

I was pissed, chest heaving, and ready to hit his ass again at the sound of his words. It was true what he’d said, and at the time when he’d offered all this shit, I took it, believing he was a good man and only wanted to do nice things for me. In hindsight, I hated that I had depended on a man who wasn’t even my husband in this way.

“Alright then. Give me a few days to pack my shit, and I will be out of here. I’ll leave my key, and I will leave the car in the parking structure.”

Sighing dejectedly, AJ massaged the bridge of his nose with his free hand, the other still clutching the bouquet. “Brina, baby, no. I don’t want that. I want you in this spot and driving that car and?—”

“Well, I don’t want that. I don’t want shit from your no-good ass. So like I said, come back in a few, and I will be gone,” I talked my shit.

Though I had depended on AJ, I still worked on my own career and had built quite a resumé as a celebrity makeup artist. So while I didn’t need AJ to pay for my lifestyle, it’d been nice not having to worry about certain expenses.

I wasn’t rich, despite my clientele being the who’s who of Hollywood, but I did good enough to take care of myself. Even better, I had a celebrity client this weekend—an actress who was getting married and had booked me to do her makeup as well as her whole bridal party. That was going to be a nice, fat check and more than enough to afford first and last on a new spot as well as a used car or a down payment on a new one until I got settled again.

“Aight then. Make sure you get the fuck out in a few days, and understand yo’ life ain’t gon’ be so fucking cozy. You gon’ be begging me to take yo’ ass back, realizing how much I loved you. That’s the problem with black women; y’all never know when a good man is in ya face and be wondering why you single.”

“That’s the problem with blackmen; y’all think a working dick and a paycheck means you’re a good man. Good day, negro.” I shood him, almost wanting to laugh at the way his lips parted in shock.

Eventually, he made an about face and stomped out with an attitude like a toddler, and I slammed the door right behind his stupid ass.

After standing there in the same spot, just shaking my head and still in disbelief of how my life had turned upside down. I ventured to the back to brush, floss, and use mouthwash before hopping into the shower.