Page 18 of Own It

I didn’t want to come off rude or dismissive, but I was hot, tired, still had a lot of work to do, and I still didn’t like Ayan’s ass, despite his nice gesture. The way he grabbed on me still rubbed me the wrong way, and everyone knew an abusive man loved going on apology tours, so this grand gesture did nothing for me.

“No.” Ayan cleared his throat, darting his eyes to Morgin who was watching so closely that her ass had stopped working altogether. “I was hoping I could take you out on a date.”

I unintentionally let out a feigned chuckle, scratching my eyebrow in disbelief.

“Let me make sure I understand, Mr. Godfrey. You want to take me out on a date even though you have a whole family? Is that correct? And not a platonic date, I’m assuming, judging by the size of that floral arrangement.”

I didn’t feel the need to mention Shaun again, because if Ayan couldn’t care less about his own damn relationship, he sure as hell didn’t give a damn about mine.

“I have children and, of course, respect for my child’s mother, but it’s not like that between me and her.”

“Oh, so it would be no issue then if I contacted her and made sure it was cool for you to take me out, right?” I propped my right elbow up onto my left forearm as it hugged my midsection. Nibbling on my polka dot designed almond-shaped nails, I waited. “I didn’t think so. Please do not come back here, or I will call the police and file a report. I don’t think that would look good on you or your career.”

“When you realize how badly you fumbled, I will accept your apology. Can’t say I would fuck you though.” Ayan backed away, shaking his head at me in disapproval as I eyed him with disgust and shock. I’d never met a man like Ayan, and if I never did again, it would be too soon.

As soon as he left, I sacrificed my need for fresh air and shut the door, locking it promptly.

“Bitch, you are crazy.” Morgin finally made a sound, shaking her head as she put her attention back on the label printer.

Bitch could’ve printed fifty labels by now if she hadn’t been so nosy.

“I’m crazy? Yet a taken man just hunted me down, waltzed into my business, asked me on a date, then proceeds to tell me I lost my chance at some of his dick?” I ranted, switching back over to where we were working.

“Yes! I know you got your own money, but it’s nice to have a nigga with cake too! Fuck his girl. You don’t want him; you just want his moneeeyyy.” Morgin brushed the pad of her thumb against the pads of her four fingers to signal money.

“For one, I have Shaun, but even if I didn’t, I am not gonna be a side chick just for some money, especially when I have my own. I may not be as rich as Ayan, but I’m very comfortable. And at the end of the day, Morgin, I’d much rather have a humble, faithful, single man with a modest income than some pretentious, cocky, taken asshole that’s rich.”

“Well if that pretentious, cocky, taken asshole approaches you again, give him my damn number.”

“What happened with Josias? I thought you liked him.” I ignored Morgin’s request. If Morgin wanted to be a side chick, she would have to get that position on her own because I would not be procuring it for her.

“Girl, he stopped texting back. Bitch ass nigga. So I’m on to the next,” Morgin answered, refusing to give me any eye contact, so I knew my assistant’s ego was bruised.

“That’s how you have to do it sometimes,” I replied, choosing not to acknowledge how bothered Morgin was.

My phone rang, and when I looked down to see it was Shaun, I instructed Morgin to keep printing and strutted to my office.

“Hello?” I answered at the same time I shut the door for some privacy.

“Hey, baby. What you doing?”

“Working, remember? I told you I had to do a lot and probably wouldn’t get off until after ten p.m. because of the sale tomorrow,” I reminded him, rolling my eyes as I sat down. “Then I will have hundreds of orders to package up over the next few days or more.”

It may have seemed minor, but constantly having to repeat myself to Shaun had become aggravating. It was almost like he listened to nothing I said.

“Oh damn.” He whistled as if this were his first time hearing this shit.

“What’s up?” I expelled a heavy breath, not understanding why he was calling and now interfering with my work.

“I was thinking we could get away this weekend.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

I’d been slouching out of exhaustion, but now I was sitting up straight as I said, “I told you I was having a sale and would be boxing up orders all weekend. Do I be talking to myself, Shaun?”

“Nah, you don’t, baby, but I was thinking you could let them muthafuckas do it and ride out with me.”

“Them muthafuckas being my staff?”

“Yeah.” He chuckled.