Too Close for Comfort by La Jill Hunt Page A

return.”
    â€œGod, I thought Lincoln was fine,” Monya squealed after they walked out the door.
    â€œLincoln is fine,” Taryn added, “but I gotta say, Fitz is sexy as hell. That man is gorgeous.”
    Yaya looked out the window, silently agreeing with her compadres.
    Fitzgerald and Lincoln had the same height and build, but where Lincoln’s complexion was the color of chocolate, Fitzgerald’s was the color of honey, with grey eyes. Instead of a baldhead, Fitz had shoulder-length dreads neatly pulled back. His sex appeal was evident even in his walk.
    She watched the two brothers talking and laughing in front of the Honda Accord station wagon Carver was sitting in.
    â€œI think he looks better than his brother—what do you think, Yaya?”
    â€œHe’s a’ight,” Yaya lied, and turned away.
    Lincoln returned and announced, “My brother wants to know what’s up with you.”
    â€œWho?” Yaya asked, after neither Taryn nor Monya responded.
    â€œYou,” Lincoln told her. “I don’t know why.”
    â€œBecause she’s the bomb, that’s why,” Taryn told him. “Is he coming back?”
    â€œWhat’s up, Yaya? You betta holla at your boy . . . because he is fine.” Monya giggled.
    â€œI don’t think so.” Yaya looked at them like they were crazy. “You know he’s not my type.”
    â€œThat’s exactly what I told Fitz when he asked.” Lincoln laughed. “There’s no way. You’re not his type.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?” Taryn put her hands on her hip.
    â€œI guess the same thing it means for her,” Lincoln answered. “Why isn’t he your type?”
    Yaya was getting irritated. She was already in a funk, and they were getting on her nerves. She walked over to the small sink and began washing her hands. “Look, first of all, I have a man.”
    â€œI thought you and Jason broke up,” Monya said.
    â€œNo, we didn’t; we’re just on a break.”
    â€œIsn’t that a breakup?” Lincoln looked at Taryn.
    â€œNo, it’s not. We’re just taking some time apart; there’s a difference. But even if I didn’t have a man—which I do by the way—I wouldn’t date him. For one, he’s light-skinned.”
    â€œOhhhhhh,” Monya groaned.
    â€œYou both know I don’t find light-skinned guys attractive, come on. And then, he has dreads, of all things—another turn-off.”
    â€œYou’re crazy.” Taryn shook her head.
    â€œAnd you both know he has the other thing that I don’t do, so don’t front like you don’t know me better than that—never have, never will. I’m outta here.” Yaya snatched a paper towel out of the dispenser and walked out without saying another word.
    â€œWhat’s ‘the other thing’ she doesn’t do?” Lincoln looked at both Taryn and Monya.
    â€œ Baby mama drama ,” Monya said.
    â€œThe moment she found out Carver was his son, any hopes he had of getting with Yaya were out the door. He doesn’t have a shot in hell,” Taryn added.
    On the way home, Yaya drove by Titus’ shop to see what Monya was talking about. Sure enough, parked in the lot was a shimmering gold Mercedes Benz C-Class, another one of her dream cars. Peering through the windows, she saw it was more than she’d imagined. It would be the perfect addition to her collection, which already included her champagne Lexus and her first car, a silver Honda Prelude coupe.
    She had to have it.
    She whipped into the parking lot and hopped out. “Hey, where’s Titus?” She asked the guy at the counter.
    â€œHe’s out of town for a minute. Won’t be back for about three weeks. Can I help you with something?”
    â€œNope. I’ll call him on his cell.” She walked out.
    She tried to reach Titus, but only got his voice mail.