“Okay, so we’re doing the whole, ‘you’re an independent woman who doesn’t want her man taking care of her’ thing? Okay, got it.”

“No, I…I didn’t say that, I just didn’t know…” I raise an eyebrow at him and give him a smirk. “My man?”

“What else would you like to call me?”

“I wasn’t aware that we’d established labels.” Like a boyfriend?

“Okay, we can go with ‘man that makes you come violently,’ if you prefer?” He rolls his eyes. “Fine, if you’re not willing to commit to that level of a lie, just say you’re hanging out with friends. Gabrielle, when I go back to New York, you need to go with me. So, figure out how to make that happen if you don’t like my ideas.” He gives me a hard stare and I shiver under his gaze.

“But…I’m not a good liar,” I tell him weakly. I know he’s wearing me down and I’ll have to come up with something, because the idea of not touching or even seeing James for over a month is not an option. “I’ll think of something.” I sigh as he pulls out onto the road.

“I’ll try and get us out of the house from time to time,” he tells me as he clasps my hand with his and brings it to his lips. “I love you baby; everything is going to be fine.”

I pull our hands to mine and place a kiss on his hand as well. “I love you too.”

Monica is flying down the stairs before I’m even halfway into the foyer and wrapping her arms around me. “Oh my God, finally!” Monica and James could damn near be twins but Monica ditched her dark hair years ago and dyes it a honey blonde that she keeps chopped into a long bob. Her eyes are bright blue just like James and they have similar noses and mouths. Round coke bottle glasses sit in front of her eyes and she has a diamond stud piercing in her nose. Monica is gorgeous in the most natural way and there were many times growing up I was jealous of how effortlessly beautiful she was.

My mother, Virginia Calloway, is right behind her and has me wrapped in her arms before I even set my suitcase down. “My sweet girl!” She kisses both of my cheeks and gives me a smile that has been known to make even my shittiest days better. She hugs James, running her hands through his hair and fussing over her darling boy before turning back to me and engulfing me in another hug.

“I missed you, Mom,” I tell her as I breathe in her signature Prada perfume. “You too Mon.” I grab my sister’s hand and squeeze it. “I can’t believe I’ve been gone for practically four months.”