Page 20 of Juliet's Echo

"And that's not even the main event," Yahya continued. "Her mama filed for divorce and has allegedly been spotted at the golf club actively auditioning replacements. Don't let Mr. Everette beup there — I will call Ms. Olivia and hype her up myself," she added, completely unbothered.

Normally, I would have pinched her for playing like that, but my attention had shifted. I felt someone watching me — and hard. It wasn't alarming, but it was powerful. The energy was so intrusive that I found myself glancing around.

"Spidey-senses tingling again, Ju-Money?" Mega asked.

"Coconut cream-skinned brother to the left," Yahya murmured to Mega, who immediately shifted his eyes in that direction. "My left, not yours, fool."

Mega corrected himself without a word.

"He's got on the Nike sweatsuit from the Olympic collab that just dropped, long neat single braids, Rolex on the left wrist — meaning he's right-handed — but the left wrist has a multitude of designer bracelets, so he's fashionable. It's giving Dave East."

"How the fuck do you know all that?" Mega questioned, confusion written all over his face.

"You know antibiotics, and I know an alpha man and a good catch. Go for it, girl," she winked at me.

"Your ass damn sure ain't know glass walls weren't for licking," Mega teased.

I could not hold my laughter in.

"Ha ha ha, very funny. I was sensory seeking — let it go."

"And so was I, except what I licked had me sitting down for a week," Mega responded.

"Shut up, Captain Clap — Ju-Ju's future baby daddy is coming over," Yahya fussed, slapping Mega on the shoulder.

The beautiful land walker started making his way toward the table and his scent hit me well before he did. The woody, aquatic aroma flattered my nose and graced my goddess in between. His stride was commanding and I could practically hear the windows shattering beneath his black cat Jordan 4s. Broad shoulders paired perfectly with his tall physique. His hands weremassive — pretty sure he could turn me every way but loose. He let out a half smile as he approached and I didn't know what was more spellbinding — his perfectly aligned top teeth or the diamond grill resting on his bottom row. His long single braids swayed gently with each step. A man this beautiful, commanding this magnitude of charisma without uttering a single word, was trouble.

"Girl, I ain't going for shit — he smells like Issey Miyake and the devil," I told her.

"Well, Hell is one stop away from Heaven, so get on the ride," her persistent ass retorted.

As the nameless beauty approached, I stood — not entirely by choice. Yahya had damn near launched herself across the table to push me to my feet.

"Pardon my interruption," he said, glancing around the table.

His voice was so deep it vibrated in my chest. He extended his hand and I took it. His grip was strong but not intimidating — more protective than anything — and his hands were smooth like freshly churned butter. He had every one of my senses on full alert and warmth traveled through my veins like lightning.

"I'm Nazir. Nazir Clarke," my future baby daddy spoke.

"I'm Juliet," I responded, bashful in a way I hadn't planned on being.

"Juliet. A beautiful name for a beautiful young woman."

Please don't lay it on thick. Don't turn me off,I thought.

"I won't hold you," he said smoothly. "But I was hoping I could take you out sometime."

Before I could respond, my phone vibrated. One glance told me everything — it was a text from someone I couldn't ignore. Shouldn't ignore, to be more accurate.

Echo:No

I sucked my teeth in pure annoyance. Choo-Choo was both my favorite person in the world and the biggest pain in my ass.

Echo:You got 3.5 seconds to get your ass in your Jeep and get to class.

Knowing he meant that literally, I began preparing my exit from Nazir's presence.

Echo:1.5 seconds.