Playfully, she rolled her eyes. “I don't want to talk about him.”
“Shit, fuck that nigga. You hungry?”
“Yes.”
“Come on. I got somewhere we can go.”
Dough knew how much Bria loved the ocean. The splashing waves soothed the unsettled parts of her. That was one of the things she adored most about him—his attentiveness. He paid attention to detail. He listened to her when she spoke and most of the time he delivered. On the rooftop enjoying a meal with one of her favorite people was the medicine Bria needed to put her life into perspective.
“So, you like being in The Mob?” he asked, staring at her intensely.
She motioned doubt with her shoulders. “I don't know. I’m not really involved at all. Nothing has changed for me in that aspect.”
“I still can’t believe your pops went to The Noir Mob. Shit crazy.”
“Yeah, well, that’s life. People leave things that don't serve them.”
He nodded, leaning closer over the table. “When you gon’ do that?”
She forked her pasta. “Do what?”
“Leave the situation that’s not serving you?”
She smiled at him, cocking her head. “If I leave my situation, then I’m supposed to do what? Go to your awaiting arms?”
“Shit, you could,” he stated so casually.
Bria snorted then gazed at the ocean. Dough made it seem all so simple. As if he was awaiting her and would treat her with the highest regard. Teetering between Dough and Lo was a gamble. Despite him showing up for her, he wasn’t ready to commit.
“We’ve had this conversation before. You like to run the streets with different women. That’s cool but I could never invest my all into you because I know I wouldn’t get a full return.”
“You ain't even getting a full return now.”
Bria seesawed her head. “I mean, he did marry me. Gave me his last name. That’s worth a lot to men.”
“Wrong,” he countered. “That investment don't mean anything if he’s not loving on you like you deserve.”
Bria was stunned to silence. She didn’t have a comeback. Dough was right. Lo didn’t fill her with what she needed, therefore, him extending his last name to her meant nothing.
“Look, you know I fuck with you, Bria. You my girl. Always have been. And you're right, I have a hard time committing to you, which is why I ain't get in my feelings about you getting married. But I'm here and yo’ man not.”
Her phone buzzed in her lap. When she saw a text from Lo, her body stiffened.
Lo: U coming home tonight?
Bria ignored the message and gave Dough her undivided attention.
“I appreciate you for coming. You always show up for me,” she said more to herself.
There was a part of Bria that wished she and Dough would’ve married. There would’ve been more chemistry, and herneeds would have been fulfilled. He knew her and what she liked. She had a good idea of his character and figured they would’ve been a perfect match.
“So, what you doing after this?” He licked his lips, inciting her body to shudder.
“Probably going back to my hotel so I can rest up for this three-hour drive in the morning.”
Bria’s phone rang and when she looked at the screen, she noticed Lo calling. His rules played in her mind like a movie. He wanted a response within five minutes and for her to answer his calls. That was cool back then, but Bria refused to comply. He would have to sit on the sidelines until she felt like speaking to him.
“Am I invited back to your room?”
