Chapter 31: Chapter 31

LEXI

That night, Lexi stayed in Reece’s room. Her best friend wanted to hear all about her date with Daniel, but Lexi was careful to leave out the part about Camille.

Still, she expressed her worry about other matters. “What if he gets bored with me? I’ve seen his ex-lovers. They’re gorgeous and fun, and I’m sure they have experience. I have nothing.”

Reece reached for a pillow and slapped her with it. “Don’t ever let me hear you disrespect yourself like that again. As a sugar baby, I can tell you that connection beats sexual experience. Ask anybody who’s been married for fifty years. Why do you think men hardly ever leave their wives for the side chick?”

Reece certainly had a way with words. Lexi wasn’t sure if she should laugh or roll her eyes.

“I’m just saying, Dray. Don’t worry about his ex-lovers. Don’t even worry about your inexperience either. Sex with a man you love is different from sex with a stranger. Sex with a stranger demands technique and skills, but sex with someone you have feelings for is supposed to be on a whole other level…as long as you both feel the same way and trust each other. Not that I would know, of course. But I heard that this is how it works.”

Lexi giggled softly.

“What’s this?” she asked, staring at a pristine commercial property on Reece’s computer screen. Over the years, her best friend had invested in several housing properties, but it looked like she now had her eye on something different.

“This is my new shoe store. I’m closing the deal in a few weeks, and it’s gonna be lit. I have so many connections already in the industry with designers who all agreed to exclusively sell their pairs in my store.”

Lexi gasped in surprise. “Oh my god, that’s so cool, Ree!” She hugged her best friend tightly. “You’re always so focused on success, always so driven. You always go out and get it by any means necessary, and I can’t even keep a bartending job.” She hung her head and pouted.

Reece chucked another pillow at her. “You, my friend, are meant to be someone’s wife and someone’s mother. Not a hustler in the streets. You don’t have the stomach for it—you never did—but that’s not a bad thing. We all have our crosses to bear, don’t we?”

Lexi cuddled under the blanket and thought of Daniel. He had made so much progress in such a short time, but marriage? That was nowhere on Daniel’s list of future plans. Was it?

“Is it possible to fall in love twice?” Lexi asked her best friend.

Reece shrugged. “You’re asking me? I’ve never loved anyone besides you my entire life. How would I know?” She joined Lexi under the covers. “But I’ve seen movies and read books where it happens… Why are you asking?”

“I feel like I’ve given most of my heart to Daniel already. What if I can’t please him? What if he gets bored with me? What if when we break up I can’t love anyone else? What if I can’t get over him? What if I’m stuck in sadness forever?”

“What if you walk outside and get struck by lightning? What if we all drown in a massive hurricane because we live in Miami, Florida of all places? Shit happens, babe. Nothing in life is one hundred percent certain. But we can’t live our lives fully if we’re focused on what could happen. Instead, let’s just live for what’s happening right now.”

Lexi smiled at her friend’s advice before curling up and falling asleep.

DANIEL

Early in the morning Miami time, Daniel called Draya angrily. As soon as she answered, he demanded, “Why the hell did you go home without Johnson? Do you seriously want to kill me from worry?”

“You must be Daniel,” an unfamiliar voice said. “Nice to meet you.”

“Reece?” he asked.

“Yes, the one and only. You don’t have to worry about Dray; I will always protect her.”

“I’m happy you are there for her. She told me how close you two are. I’m very impressed.”

Daniel could hear the smile in her voice as she replied, “She told me about you too. I knew you had it in you to be a good boyfriend, so don’t disappoint me, Daniel. Your face is too handsome to meet the end of my bat.”

He chuckled. “I will try my best.”

Daniel heard Reece shuffling around, maybe grabbing a glass of water. She said, “She’s sleeping, but I’m gonna wake her up so she can say ‘hi’ to you.”

A moment later, Draya croaked over the line, “Hello.”

Daniel chuckled again. “Hi sleepy head.” He heard her gasp. “I was calling to scold you about leaving the café without Johnson, but Reece told me she took you home, so I’m gonna let it slide.”

There was silence.

“Should I expect Reece to pick you up all week? Or should I tell Johnson to?”

A minute later, Draya said, “Carlos fired me, so there’s no reason to pick me up anymore.”

Daniel’s pleasant mood vanished immediately. “~He did what?~ Why?” His voice was rough.

“Calm down. It’s fine. Reece already scolded him—badly. Trust me. I didn’t belong there anyway.”

“I’m grateful that she defended you, but I’m not satisfied. I will deal with him as soon as I return.”

“Okay,” she murmured softly.

“Anyway, I just wanted to check on you. I was worried when Johnson said he never picked you up.” Daniel took a calming breath. “I have one more flight, and then I’ll call you again. Okay?”

“Okay,” Draya said softly. “Thank you for checking on me. Good night.”

“Don’t flirt with any guys while I’m away.”

She burst out laughing. “Don’t hook up with anyone while you’re away.”

“Promise,” he said before ending the call.