Love After War Read Online Free PDF Page B

“I’ve been guilty of that.”
    â€œAt least you had the good sense to apologize immediately,” Imani said.
    Dana flashed her a look informing her to be quiet as Raymond stroked the back of Imani’s hand.
    â€œWell, it’s been two years but who did I run into twice in the last few days? Adrian.”
    â€œWhat did he have to say for himself ?” Raymond asked.
    â€œThat we should talk. I mean, why now?” Dana sighed and toyed with her coffee cup.
    â€œIt takes some men a long time to realize that they made a big mistake. Maybe you should hear him out and see where his head is,” Raymond said.
    â€œAbsolutely not!” Imani exclaimed. “That’s the worst advice you could give her.”
    â€œDrama queen,” Dana said, causing Raymond to snicker.
    â€œImani,” Raymond said. “If they keep running into each other, then maybe—”
    â€œHe’s stalking her?”
    â€œImani,” Dana said. “You really should switch to decaf.”
    â€œIf I’d been the asshole to dump you through a text message but had a chance to right the wrong and possibly get forgiveness, I’d try it as well. What could talking to him hurt?”
    My heart, my soul? she thought as she picked up her cup again.
    â€œDana,” Imani said. “I wouldn’t do it. If anything, you should text him and tell him where he can go and how to get there.”
    Raymond kissed Imani’s cheek. “I wonder about you sometimes,” he said.
    Dana was wondering as well, wondering if she should call him back and agree to dinner. Yes, she owed it to herself to find out why he’d been so cold and ended their relationship. But did she want to rip the old scab off an old wound? Her mind wandered back to that night.
    Dana waited outside Adrian’s penthouse, wanting—no, needing—an explanation of his text message. Just as she pulled out the phone to read the three-line message again, she heard the ding of the elevator and the laughter. Those were female voices and Adrian’s.
    â€œAnd you have a rooftop pool?” one of the voices cooed.
    â€œCan we skinny-dip?” another asked.
    Dana gritted her teeth as she saw them turn the corner. Adrian was flanked by two half-naked broads, one of whom was actually unzipping his slacks.
    â€œWhat is this?” Dana demanded, wishing there was something in reach to hurl at him. This son of a . . .”
    â€œDana?” he asked, pushing Thing One’s hand away. “What are you doing here?”
    She shook her head, refusing to let the tears burning in her eyes drop. “Getting the answers I need.”
    â€œDidn’t you get my text?” he asked.
    Crossing over to him, she slapped his smooth cheek with all the fury inside her. “Damn you.”
    Adrian rubbed his face and snorted. “Look, I told you to move on. As you can clearly see, I have.”
    â€œAnd to think I was concerned about you because your mother passed away. I thought . . . Never mind. Enjoy your whores.”
    â€œJust who are you talking to?” one of the women shouted.
    â€œStalker,” the other called out.
    â€œStop it,” Adrian said, and nodded toward the door. “I’ll handle this.” He gripped Dana’s elbow and whispered in her ear, “I was trying to protect you.”
    She smiled sardonically, thinking that all she’d done was love him, support him, and hurt for him as he watched his mother die. Dana swiftly kneed him in the family jewels. “Maybe one of those bitches will kiss it and make it better,” she snapped, then dashed to the elevator.
    She couldn’t wait to get away from Adrian, Los Angeles, and everything else that reminded her of his trifling ass. She was going back to New York City.
    Imani watched her friend in breathless disbelief. “I don’t get it. If he dropkicked your heart like that, then why do you want to talk to him