Page 9 of Loving a Libra (BLP Signs of Love #7)

“If you ever in your life keep some shit like this away from me again, I will find a new best friend,” Ginae said in a serious tone, but I knew she would never replace me.

“Nae, this was not a text or over the phone kinda conversation. I needed to look into your eyes while telling you I’m fucking Tariq.”

She returned to town the night before, and we were at her place eating pizza, drinking wine, and catching up.

“But friend, you’re not just fucking him.”

“I know, and that’s the crazy part. At first, I thought it would be just to get back at Maurice, but it turned into something else very quickly.”

“I mean, ain’t nothing wrong with a little revenge sex. However, you’re building a life with your ex’s best friend, and it’s the best revenge ever. Y’all are moving faster than lightning, but I can’t tell you how much I love this for you.”

“I knew you would, if for no other reason than how much you can’t stand Maurice.”

“I can’t lie, hating his bitch ass has a lot to do with it. I’ve been telling you he was trash for at least four years, Dee.”

“You have, but you know how Libras can be. I had my suspicions but nothing concrete. I hate reacting without knowing the whole story.”

“That’s the problem. People take your kindness for weakness. You gave his ass the benefit of doubt because he didn’t do his dirt in your face.”

“But I’ll get the last laugh.”

“Listen, I thought I was cold, but I’ve never heard a more calculated and devious plan than yours. Fucking his friend and business partner, buying a house with said friend and business partner, packing your shit and moving out while he’s gone, and transferring hospitals so he can’t find you.”

“Damn, when you lay it out like that, it sounds vindictive as hell. The only thing I haven’t figured out yet is when and how I’ll tell him.”

I’d been trying to come up with a way to share the news with him that would have the most profound and traumatic effect. So far, I had nothing.

“I got it!” Ginae exclaimed. “Flikstagram would be perfect.”

She excitedly and began to explain her idea, and it was perfect. I couldn’t wait to put it into action.

“This is genius, friend. I love it.”

“I don’t have much nice to say about Maurice.

He’s a trash ass man, for sure. However, he cheated respectfully, because you’ve never been approached woman-to-woman.

He’s also been taking care of you financially for the past two years.

I’m not counting your coins, but I know your bank account is fat after two years of stacking money. ”

Ginae was right. Every single one of my checks for the past two years went directly into my bank account and remained untouched, except for the money I withdrew for a few investments Tariq had told me about.

Maurice and I opened a joint account, which he fully funded, and any money I spent came from that account.

“Oh yeah. My bank balance is sitting real pretty. I’ll definitely give him credit, but it still doesn’t excuse him.”

“Nah, friend. There is no excuse for his actions. None whatsoever.”

We talked for a while longer, until Tariq FaceTimed me. I smiled big as I pressed join to answer the call.

“Girl, he got you whipped. I’ve never seen you smile this big when Maurice called you.”

I rolled my eyes at her but fixed my face as the call connected.

“Hey.”

“Hey. What’s your pretty ass up to? Still at Ginae’s?”

“Yeah. I’m still at her place, and we’re just eating pizza and drinking wine.”

“How many bottles have you gone through? Do you need me to pick you up?”

“We’re on the second bottle.”

“You shouldn’t drive. What time should I pick you up?”

“Aww! He’s so sweet,” Ginae cooed. “Hey, Tariq.”

“Wassup, Ginae? How was your trip?”

I gave her my phone.

“It was work, and nowhere near as exciting as what’s been going on here.”

“A lot has happened,” he said.

“And I’m here for it all. My friend is breaking all kinds of dating etiquette rules, messing around with you, so you better make it worth her while.”

“The goal is to give her the happily ever after she’s always wanted.”

“That’s what I’m talking about. A man about his business. You got any brothers because I already know the one friend you have is trash?”

He chuckled. “No brothers, but I might have a cousin or two you might like.”

“Do I see a double date in my future?”

“Possibly. I’ll see what I can do.”

“Cool. Here’s your girl.”

I took my phone, and Tariq picked up our conversation where we left off.

“So, what time do you want me to pick you up?”

“Can you come now? Ginae is yawning.”

“Send me your location, and I’ll be on my way.”

We ended the call, and when I looked up, Ginae stared at me, grinning.

“Oh my God. He is too smitten with you, and it’s so damn cute.”

“You can tell that from a two-minute conversation?”

“We weren’t all together often, but I always knew he was a little sweet on you.”

“Really?”

“Yep. It was very subtle, but I’m a very observant person. With you, he was very attentive, his tone was softer, and he could hardly keep his eyes off you. If Maurice wasn’t so busy always trying to be the life of the party, he would’ve noticed too.”

“Tariq and I are really good friends, so the way he treated me seemed innocent. The whole time, he was falling for me.”

“More like, y’all were falling for each other.”

“Touché.”

I received a text from Tariq telling me he was five minutes away. We cleaned up our mess, and I gathered my things. When I received another text from Tariq saying he was outside, she walked me to the door.

“This information made my day. You already seem happier, and your spirit is lighter. I guess the saying ‘Don’t let your boyfriend make you miss out on your husband’ is true.”

We laughed at how true the statement was in my situation. After a sisterly embrace, I left, telling her I’d pick up my car the following day. Before I made it too far down the walkway, Tariq was at my side. He looped his arm through mine and led me to his car.

Before helping me get inside, he tucked his finger under my chin and lifted it. I swear I melted when his lips met mine, and I moaned with satisfaction. Although we kept our mouths closed, I could smell the mint on his breath.

As soon as I was secured in my seat belt, I let my head fall back onto the headrest and closed my eyes. I didn’t drink often, and I’d essentially just downed a bottle of wine.

“You’re tipsy as hell,” he said.

“I am. I didn’t realize how much until just now.”

“Is your head spinning?”

“A little bit, but I’m good.”

“How was your visit with Ginae? Did you tell her everything?”

“I didn’t tell her how big your dick was and how good it feels inside me.”

My eyes were still closed, but I felt him looking at me for a brief moment.

“Yeah, you might be more than tipsy.”

“You think I’m drunk?”

“I do.”

“Will you take advantage of me?”

He laughed. “Is it really taking advantage if you’re asking me to do it?”

“Hmm. I guess not.”

Neither of us spoke for a minute or two. For some reason, I began to reflect on the past five years. Suddenly, I became angry that I’d spent so much time in a relationship that was going nowhere.”

“I wish I’d met you first,” I blurted out.

“Why?”

“Because we’d already be married and have at least two kids.”

“You think so?”

“You don’t?”

“I don’t know. Five years ago, I wasn’t the man I am today. It doesn’t mean we couldn’t have met and hit it off, but my mindset hadn’t completely changed yet, and it could’ve been a disaster.”

“I don’t even see how that’s possible. I can’t imagine us not hitting it off.”

“I strongly believe things happen when they’re supposed to happen. Maybe we both had some growing to do, and God didn’t want us to connect the way we have until now.”

I opened my eyes and turned my head in his direction.

“You’re probably right.”

Just as I started to doze, Tariq spoke again.

“Are you still awake?”

“Barely. What’s up?”

“What are you doing Sunday afternoon?”

“No plans as of now.”

“My mother wants you to come to Sunday dinner.”

For the first time since I sat in the passenger seat of his car, I lifted my head.

“Say what now?”

“Ma wants you at Sunday dinner.”

“Hold on. You talked to your mother about us?”

“Actually, I talked to both my parents.”

“Ugh. How embarrassing. I can only imagine what they think of me.”

“It’s not even like that. My parents have this weird connection with me. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m an only child, but there hasn’t been a time in my life when they didn’t know something was up with me before I had a chance to tell them.”

“What do you mean?”

“When I’m dealing with something heavy, they always know before I tell them. Most of the time, they don’t know the exact details but can figure it out with minimal information. Like I said, it’s weird.”

“Are you saying they knew about us?”

“They had strong suspicions.”

He went on to share the conversation he had with his parents at his last visit. The connection he had with them was both strange and intriguing.

“I bet you didn’t get away with anything growing up.”

He shook his head and laughed. “Not a damn thing. So, are you cool with Sunday dinner?”

“I’d never pass up a chance to have Mama Kia’s cooking. Hopefully, her and Mr. Vince don’t talk about me too bad.”

“Nah, but they may have a question or twenty.”

Tariq was good and grown and didn’t have to take his parents’ thoughts or opinions into consideration.

However, I appreciated that he respected their feelings about his life choices.

My mother had been gone most of my life, and my relationship with my father didn’t warrant the kind of respect Tariq gave his parents.

A few minutes later, he parked in his designated spot in our parking garage, which was right next to mine and Maurice’s. I noticed Maurice’s spot was empty, which didn’t surprise me.

“Can I stay with you tonight?” I asked.

“Of course. What will you tell Maurice?”

“Nothing. He probably won’t even ask about my whereabouts and assume I picked up a shift.”

“If you cool, I’m cool. Let me get your drunk ass upstairs.”