Page 49 of Lemon Drop

I smiled.

“Vanessa.” Saadiq's voice was a warning.

“What? Topaz, you have to excuse me. Saadiq and I go way back. We used to be very close,” she said, beaming up at him.

“Good for you,” I responded.

Saadiq coughed in a way that sounded suspiciously like a laugh. I looked up at him.

“You need some water?”

“Apple,” he said, the words a soft reprimand.

He shook his head before turning back to Vanessa. “Look, it was nice seeing you, but I’m here with my woman. We trying to enjoy our evening.”

It took everything in me not to tap my middle finger and thumb together. Thasss right, I thought triumphantly. Then I froze. His woman? Oh, we were definitely discussing that later.

Vanessa’s eyes widened. “Your woman? Wait. You two are actually together?”

Saadiq eyed her with a smirk. “That’s what I just said.”

“Wow.” Her gaze swept over me again. “Congratulations... I guess. I just never pictured you dating your assistant.”

Oh, bitch.

“Vanessa. Watch your fucking mouth,” Saadiq warned.

“What? I didn’t mean anything by it!”

“Then you won’t have a problem apologizing.”

Her mouth fell open at his demand. I almost laughed. She’d brought her ass over here thinking she was gon’ shake me up and look who ended up feeling awkward.

“Saadiq, it’s fine,” I relented.

“Nah, it ain’t.”

Vanessa stared at him, clearly expecting him to give in. He didn’t. She sighed heavily.

“Sorry, Topaz. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“No offense taken, Vanessa. Enjoy your evening.”

I gave her a cool little smile. She returned it with considerably less enthusiasm.

“Well... I’ll see you around, Saadiq.”

“Good night, Vanessa.”

His tone was firm. He didn’t even watch as she slinked her ass off. His eyes were on me. I watched her, though. I needed to make sure she got all the way gone. When I turned back around, Saadiq was watching me with an expression I couldn't read.

“What?” I demanded.

“Nothing.”

“Then why you looking at me like that?”

He smiled. “You jealous, Apple?”