Permanent Resident at the Purse Table by Keisha Bass Read Free Book Online Page A

since you do too, you should have paid more attention. And I wouldn’t have had to pay over three hundred dollars to get my car out.”
    â€œMy bad, baby. And I can’t believe it took over three hundred dollars to get your car. Crooks. I will pay you back every penny.” He tickled her side. “And of course there’s that special interest I was talking about. We can take care of that tonight, if you’ll stop being mad at me.”
    Rene pushed his hand away. He wasn’t getting off that easy. “Don’t play. I’m upset. I don’t even spend that kind of money on myself. And yes, you will surely pay me back all three hundred and seven dollars. About that interest you keep talking about, I’m not interested. ”
    He put both hands around her waist. “Come on, baby. Don’t be like that. It was an honest mistake. That won’t happen again.”
    â€œOh, I know it won’t happen again. ’Cause you won’t be driving my car anymore. Speaking of which, how’d you get up here?”
    â€œMy moms let me borrow her car.”
    Of course. Either that or she would’ve driven him up there herself. Momma’s boy if I ever saw one. “Isn’t that sweet of her?”
    â€œYes, it is. I’m blessed with two of the sweetest women in the world in my corner. So let’s say you follow me to my mom’s, we drop off her car, and go to your place and chill. I’ll cook for you, and we can relax and talk.”
    â€œJust talk?” Rene didn’t believe that for a second.
    Ishmael raised his hands in the air as if to surrender. “Yes, I promise. Just talk. And then maybe after you’ve calmed down, I can interest you in my interest.” His wink sent a subtle chill down her spine.
    She shook her head and stood. Why couldn’t she resist his charm? The inner battle ceased. Rene wanted her man back. “Come on, let’s go. Maybe your momma can talk some sense to both of us. I don’t know which one of us needs a talking to more.”
    He rose and tagged alongside her out of the shopping mall like a hungry stray puppy.

Chapter 5
    Ava, almost home, wondered how Rene and Ishmael’s conversation had gone. He probably begged until Rene gave into him. She hoped Rene could stand her ground at least a little while, so he’d remember this and not let history repeat itself. But she knew by the way Rene talked before he showed up, his job of getting her to forgive him would be an easy one.
    Replaying Rene’s description of Ishmael’s good stuff in her head, Ava imagined more than she would ever admit to. He was definitely an attractive man, but she didn’t need to hear the details.
    Kids playing football in the parking lot of her apartment complex acted as if they didn’t see her driving their way. I guess I get dissed by men of all ages. She gently honked on the horn for an unsolicited timeout in their game, then drove to her designated covered parking spot. A white truck sat across the lot in the visitor’s section that resembled Xavier’s ride. I know this fool is not here.
    As Ava approached the staircase, she could see Xavier standing on the top step in front of her apartment. He looked down and waved. What could he possibly want? She’d already said all she needed to say to him. And he couldn’t have picked a worse time. With Rene sharing how well Ishmael performed in the bedroom, her flesh screamed for a man’s touch. Lord, give me strength.
    By the time she reached the bottom of the last flight of stairs, he had taken a seat and was now sitting with open arms. She glared into his eyes. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œI came by to talk. Hope you’d let me take you to dinner tomorrow night for Valentine’s Day.”
    â€œWe have nothing left to talk about. And you never wanted to take me out before. I’m uh, how’d you put it? ‘Borderline