Samiyah Manhattan strolled into S & M Financial Advisory with a bounce in her step. Humming a little tune that had gotten stuck in her head over her honeymoon vacation, Samiyah sauntered up to Claudia’s office only to find it empty.

“Hmm.”

Turning away, Samiyah headed for her office and pulled to a stop at the sight of her missing friend.

“I went by your office and wondered where you were,” Samiyah spoke.

Claudia twirled the visitor’s chair she sat in and smiled up at Samiyah. She held her arms out. “Here I am, waiting for you.”

“I see, what up, girl.”

“Wow, you’re so calm, relaxed and refreshed.”

Samiyah smiled demurely. “How can you tell?”

Claudia gawked. “For one, you’re glowing. Are you pregnant?”

Samiyah reared back and laughed. “Not that I’m aware of, but hey, who knows after the way my man rocked my whole world. I wouldn’t be surprised.”

“You lucky, lucky, girl!”

Samiyah laughed. What’s up with you and Jaden?”

Claudia sighed. “Girl, I am going through it over here, okay? You being gone on your honeymoon made me hold this ordeal all to myself, even though Octavia and Serena tried to get up in my business.”

Samiyah chuckled. “You should’ve told them. You know they’re cool.”

“Yeah, but it’s not the same as talking to you.”

Samiyah nodded. “So, what is it?”

“It’s Jaden.”

Samiyah pulled her chair out and sat down crossing her legs. She placed her elbows on the desk and rested her chin in her upturned palms.

“I’m listening.”

“He’s… everything.”

“Mmhmm, continue,” Samiyah said.

“We’ve been around each other since we left Puerto Rico, and he’s so attentive, and suave, I don’t even know how to take him. You know we went dancing. I mean, he took me to a dance studio where he taught me how to tango.”

Samiyah’s smile became bright, and her eyes twinkled. “Sounds like love to me.”

“Girl don’t I wish! The way he speaks to me and treats me like I’m the only woman in the world is working overtime on my emotions.”

“Sounds like the way Jonas treats me.”

“Really?”

“Mmhmm, they are brothers, so yah know.”

Claudia sulked in her seat.

“I don’t understand your grief,” Samiyah continued.

“Samiyah, I can’t keep going around acting like this is okay. I’m…” Claudia paused and nibbled on her bottom lip.

“Spit it out girl; you’re what pregnant?”

Claudia gasped her mouth falling open. “Girl no!” Claudia moved to Samiyah’s office door and shut it quietly.

“Octavia and Serena’s doors are closed, they have clients,” Samiyah pointed out.

“That’s not the point.”

“Okay, so tell me what’s the problem?”

Claudia trod back to her seat and plopped down. “I’m falling in love with him.”

Samiyah’s lips curved into an excited grin, but Claudia was shaking her head no. “This is not a good thing.”

Samiyah frowned. “Huh, why not?”

“We’re talking about a Rose brother! The most elite men in Chicago. We’ve talked about this. You know what kind of women they’re usually seen with.”

“And what am I? Chopped liver,” Samiyah asked with her arms held out. “I’m nothing like those women, and like you said, we’ve had this conversation before so why are you worried about it?”

“Because, what if he’s just around for a while. You know to have a little fun then be off to the next woman giving him attention. I’ve had men come and go before, but this is different. I never fell in love with any of them, and frankly, it’s not fair for Jaden to do this to me. He knows what kind of allure he has over me.” Claudia stuck her lip out. “I’m afraid, Samiyah. I’m scared I’m going to fall for him and he’s going to break my heart.” Claudia’s voice softened. “Then I’ll be a wreck, and I don’t have time to deal with this kind of thing. You know my mom fell and we had to take her to the hospital and now my sisters down here and—”

“Whoa!” Samiyah said as Claudia rambled on.

With her brows furrowed Claudia said, “What?”

“Slow down just a minute. You can’t just ramble all that out without intermission. Back up, first, your mom fell!”

Claudia’s shoulders sagged. “Yes, I was with Jaden. We’d spent the day making sweet treats for the kids over at the boys and girls club when we went to check on her. We got there and she was passed out in the middle of the bathroom floor. I freaked out!”

“Oh my God, I’m sure you did. Is everything okay?”

“Yes, she’s fine now, and pouting every now and again about all the attention Desiree, and I are showing her at home.”

“What was the reason for her falling out?”

“Getting out the shower and just lost her footing, I guess.”

“That’s why Desiree’s in town.”

Claudia pursed her lips. “She called me earlier that same day saying she would be down for the weekend. With my mom falling that just pushed her trip ahead. And you know she didn’t give me any slack.”

Samiyah frowned. “Oh my,” she said. “You need a girl’s night out, huh?”

“Sho you right.”

Samiyah watched her friend for a moment. “Did you tell Jaden you’re falling for him?”

“Um, no ma’am. I’m not about to make a fool of myself.”

“Then how do you know?”

“Know what?”

“You said, Jaden knows what kind of allure he has over you. How can you be certain of that if you haven’t told him?”

Claudia thought about her question. “I’m sure Jaden is well aware of the lure he has over all women.”

“Do you really think Jaden would just stop seeing you for no reason and move on to someone else?”

“When he gets bored like most men do, yeah.”

“I don’t think you believe that. Jaden seems pretty structured to me. From the moment I met him, he’s been nothing but open and charismatic.”

Claudia bit the inside her jaw thinking about Samiyah’s words.

“You’re saying this vibe we’ve got going is real?”

“I don’t see why not, but the only way for you to know for sure is to ask. What’s the worst that can happen? At least then you’ll be clear about his intentions, and if you need to pull back to protect your heart, then do so.”

“I’ve kind of already started.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been dodging his calls, and when I do answer the phone, I keep it short and sweet.”

“How do you want this to turn out? I’m asking just for the sake of knowing what you want.”

Claudia flipped her heels off with the curve of her feet and pulled them into her chair as she pondered. “I want more. I want to know him in every way, be his shoulder to cry on, love him, mentally, physically, in every way possible.”

A small smile appeared on Samiyah’s face. “That’s what you tell him, sweetie.”

“Samiyah, I can’t tell him that.”

“Why not?”

“I’m a coward. What if that’s not what he wants, I’d be crushed. I’d rather just continue to ignore his calls and blow him off to save myself the heartache.”

“Then you’ll always wonder what if. And whenever you come over to our place you’ll possibly be in his company. Can you imagine, Jaden with a girlfriend, wife or confidant other than you?”

The images assaulted Claudia’s mind, and her stomach churned. By the look on her face, Samiyah guessed she didn’t like that picture at all.

“Exactly,” Samiyah said. “But it’s inevitably up to you.”

Claudia’s head fell into her hands, and she groaned.

“Find your courage. I’ve witnessed you grow since we were teenagers. If anyone deserves their happily ever after, it’s you. Don’t be discouraged because of what you think can happen. Go for it with everything you’ve got.”