Feeling myself falling back into a place that I’d strategically pulled myself out of, I quickly changed the subject. “So, how have things been on your end? How was the brunch?”
“Oh my God! It was a nightmare. My aunt invited Jayson?”
“To the brunch?”
“Yes, in some desperate attempt to convince me to reconcile with him.”
“That’s crazy as hell.”
“I’m glad you think so. She didn’t seem to think it was crazy at all.”
I shook my head as I made a quick turn before the traffic light turned red. “You’re going to have to put your aunt in her place. That wasn’t cool at all.”
“Oh, trust me, I made it clear that I wasn’t feeling it.”
“What did she say?”
“Nothing worth repeating. I ended up having to leave,” Nova said. “And to make matters worse, Jayson had the nerve to follow me out.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, but he didn’t have the divorce papers, so I didn’t even bother talking to him.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah,damn, is right. Hopefully, he’ll finally get the hint and do what needs to be done. I’m tired of all of this.”
“I completely understand. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”
“Yeah, me too. But it is what it is.”
I took my eyes off the road for a sec just to get a glimpse of Nova’s demeanor. She was playing it cool, but I knew how uncomfortable that had to be for her. I just wanted to make things better. I wanted her to be happy without all of the drama.
Clearing my throat, I said, “So, what are you in the mood for?”
“Hmm…I think I want a thick ass burger from Nola B’s. That place is a little hole in the wall, but they have the best food.”
“Tell me about it. Do you want to eat inside or in the car?”
“Since there’s probably going to be a lunch rush, we can chill in the car,” she replied. “Oh, and I want a strawberry shake too. A large one.”
“Greedy ass,” I teased while laughing.
“Hmph, according to my grandmother, I need to slow down on the food. My hips and ass are getting too fat, which is probably the reason Jayson cheated on me in the first place.”
Frowning, I lowered my eyes to her waist, taking the opportunity to get a full view of what I found to be the curviest hips I loved to see. “Your grandmother is tripping. Your body is just right. And that’s some messed up shit to say, especially with her being family.”
Nova shrugged. “My grandmother serves rude ass comments on a silver platter. She’s never in limited supply.”
“Yeah, well, she can keep that to herself. Fuck Jayson. Him stepping out on your marriage had nothing to do with you and everything to do with his own issues as a man.”
“My thoughts exactly, which is why I have no desire to go back and forth with anyone about it.”
“You shouldn’t have to. But when it comes to your family, you’re going to have to put your foot down.”
“Yeah, I know.” Her shoulders dropped as she lowered her gaze. I could tell that the thought of having to deal with one more thing had her exhausted.
Letting go of one side of the steering wheel, I grabbed her hand. “Don’t trip, it will all work out. I got you.”
