Page 2 of Phase Two

“I know how old you are. You’re seven years younger than me. I’m fine, friend. Honestly. I have a beautiful daughter, and I was married once. I have experienced love. I had a baby. It was wonderful. If this is it, I’m good.”

“If this is it? Don’t piss me off. Have you talked to Lauren?” she asked as we stood to leave.

“No. She’s ducking me like I’m ducking Trey. I’ll give her another day. Then I’m popping up at her house.”

“Let me know, and I’ll pop up with you.”

“Excuse me.”

Jada and I both turned around to see who the masculine voice was calling out to. I was pleasantly surprised to see a very handsome man. Well, there were two of them, but I only saw one. I wasn’t even sure if he was the one that had spoken. The stranger stood about 6’3 which was perfect because I was 5’8, and a short man would kill the fantasy a little bit.

I wasn’t quite sure of his age, but the word distinguished came to mind. He had a low cut with a few waves in it. Grey was sprinkled here and there. There wasn’t really much on top of his head, but his beard was seasoned with just the right amount of salt and pepper. His cinnamon-colored skin looked as if it had been kissed relentlessly by the sun. Even through the blue Polo shirt he wore, I could see bulging biceps. Unc was dressed in khaki pants, a blue Polo shirt, and blue, suede, Clarks. Damn.

My eyes followed him as he bent down and picked something up off the ground. “You dropped this.”

Narrowing my eyes at the object in his hand I noticed that it was the miniature Eiffel tower that my daughter brought me from Paris. It had fallen off my keychain. “Thank you so much,” I took the keychain then gave him a smile. “I didn’t even hear it fall.”

“You’re welcome.” His eyes scanned my hand, and I wondered if he was looking for a ring. His friend stood beside him quietly because either he was taken, not interested in Jada, or was respecting the rock on her finger. “What’s your name?”

It was my turn to assess him. Since I had already studied his appearance and knew that he was my type physically, my gaze poured over his ring finger. No band and no tan lines. That didn’t mean much, but it was a start.

“Alise.”

He extended his hand for me to shake. “Carter. It’s nice to meet you. Are you single if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I am,” I stated slowly wondering if I felt like wasting time with Mr. Carter. “Are you?” my brows hiked, and he chuckled.

“In this day and age, I don’t blame you for checking. I am single. Very single. I’ve been divorced for eight years. Since we’re both single, may I have your number? I’d like to take you out.”

Straight teeth. Clean cut. Short manicured nails. He smelled amazing and knew proper English. There had to be something wrong with him but what the hell? Why not do it for the plot? I gave Carter my number. I was prepared to part ways when he asked where I had parked. When my brows hiked, he raised his hands in surrender.

“I’m not a creep. I was just going to be a gentleman and walk you to your car.”

“I appreciate that, but I used valet.”

Carter gave an impressed nod. “Say less. I’ll give you a call.”

He had barely disappeared around the corner when Jada squealed. “Friend he is fine!”

Her excitement was cute, but I wasn’t sold. I passed the valet attendant my ticket stub while shaking my head at her. “He’s too fine. So, I already know he has some shit with him. Let’s play a game. How long do you think it’ll take me to block him?”

“Hmmmm,” Jada hummed. “I say maybe four conversations.”

“I say two.”

The next day, I stood patiently outside of my friend, Lauren’s home waiting for her to open the door. Jada was picking her kids up from daycare, and I didn’t want to wait, so I came alone. When Lauren opened the door, my heart immediately sank. Her light brown skin was red from crying. Her eyes were puffy, and her braids needed to come out weeks ago. My gorgeous friend was always so well put together. It was tough seeing her look so sad. I didn’t say anything. Simply crossed the threshold of her home and wrapped my arms around her.

“Please don’t judge me,” her voice came out in a tiny squeak.

Her words made me take a small step back. “Judge you? Judge you for what?” I was confused.

“This.” She turned and waved her hand toward the living room that needed to be cleaned. “And this,” she gestured downward showing me her appearance.

For a few seconds, I looked at her like she’d sprouted another head. Crossing my arms over my chest, I angled my head to the left. “You been in here huffing paint? ‘Cus why the hell would I judge you? What would be the reason?”

“Because me and my husband separated, and I’m acting like somebody died. I haven’t cleaned my home in three days. I haven’t showered since the night before last. I haven’t eaten. I’m pathetic. My mother doesn’t even like keeping Kiara because she doesn’t sleep through the night, but she packed her stuff up and took her all while giving me the side eye. I assume she thinks I’m not fit at the moment.”

“Girl,” I scrunched my entire face. “You have to be playing with me right now. Something did die. Your marriage. You were with that man for a total of eleven years. How else are you supposed to be acting? Not to mention, it just happened last week. Sit down, and I’m about to clean your house.”