fool down.”
“He knows what you guys look like.” It was more of a statement than a question on Knight’s part.
I chuckled. “Precisely.”
“I’m in—especially if your friend is a pretty one.”
His words caused me to choke on air. “She is.”
“And yours, I take it.”
“Um—I’m not sure yet.”
“But you want.” Knight pushed.
He’d always had this uncanny way of reading me. “Something like that.”
“Well, let me get some things finished here, have someone cover me then I’ll call you to figure out where you are.” Knight told me. “I’m going to need more info.”
“For sure.”
I hung up and exhaled loudly. Kujo and I wandered out of the office, but Tianna was still sleeping. Seeing her there, peaceful, her nose flaring as she snored softly made me smile. She’d kicked the blanket off and I pulled it back up to her shoulders, pushed a strand of hair back and behind her ear and remained there, watching her face.
Though I knew Kujo was watching me, I couldn’t seem to help myself. I knew she wouldn’t want him to know we’d been intimate. Kujo was Montana’s friend—they loved each other and probably had no secrets from each other.
It wouldn’t be fair to ask Kujo to keep one now.
I rose and walked with him through the kitchen, stopping only to grab a beer then out the back door unto the patio. Neither of us spoke until after we’d wrung the caps from our drinks and had taken a few healthy sips.
“You do know what you’re doing, right?” Kujo asked.
“No clue.”
“Okay.” Kujo spoke softly. “You do know her and Montana…”
“I know.” I replied around another big gulp of booze. “I know and I get I’m breaking one of those unwritten rules of the manhood brotherhood, but—”
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” Kujo shook his head. “Look, when the two of them dated, they were both young. Neither of them was prepared for what a serious relationship should have been or should have meant. Montana took it too seriously. Tianna didn’t take it serious enough.”
“I’d say. She slept with someone else.”
“Right.” Kujo lifted his drink to his lips, hesitated then lowered it without a taste. “I’m pretty sure Montana doesn’t have a say in who she moves on with. He’s married and happy. If Tianna makes you happy, then go for it.”
“I feel as if I’m betraying Montana.”
“You’re not.” Kujo assured me. “When you break up with someone you don’t have claim over them anymore. And I think he’d be the first person to tell you all that. We can’t help who we’re attracted to. Plus, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that Tianna Sharp is a good-looking woman.”
My cheeks threatened to burn me alive. To cool my body down, I drank deeply from my bottle. “You don’t have to tell me. I’ve seen parts of that woman I’m sure even Montana hasn’t seen.”
“Damn.”
I chuckled. “All I’m saying, is there is something there. It’s not love—not yet.”
“Let me ask you this.” Kujo shifted to look at me after glancing over his shoulders. “Can you see yourself falling in love with her?”
The answer threatened to erupt out my lips. But as an adult, once certain words were in the universe, there was nothing that could be done to take them back. I lifted my bottle to my lips, using the time between pulling some of the cold, slightly bitter liquid into my mouth and swallowing, to gather my thoughts. “Yes.” I finally replied. “I can see myself falling in love with her. What she did to Montana was horrible, but I’d like to think she’s grown up since then. Then again, this could be just a waste of emotions.”
“Why is that?”
“She’ll be going home at the end of this.”
“And?” Kujo asked.
“Long distance?”
“Hermes—brother—you have more money than a good ninety eight percent of this country. Hell, you have more money than most of the people on this damn planet. Use some of it to make yourself happy.”
I sighed.
“Now—what did Knight say?”
“He has to finish some things then he’d call me back.” I drained the bottle. “But he’s in.”
Kujo nodded. “I’m going to stretch my back out a little bit and call my girl. It won’t be a short conversation.”
“Um—what?”
“Maybe you should see if Tianna wants something to—er—eat.”
I tilted my head.
Kujo winked at me and entered the house again. I shook my head but couldn’t help smiling at the suggestion. The idea of getting a taste of her in that moment wasn’t a bad thing—it didn’t turn me off.