A soft hand grazed Claudia’s face rocking her gently. Opening her eyes, Claudia squinted and smiled at her mother.

“Good morning baby,” Adeline said. “Are you taking the day off?”

Claudia’s eyes widened as she propped herself up on her elbows.

“What time is it?”

“9:40.”

Claudia groaned and rolled to her back with arms splayed at her sides. Last night she’d had a blissful dream about Jaden rocking her world and apparently it had made her oversleep. Just after having that thought the ache between Claudia’s thighs told her otherwise. Pulling back to her elbows Claudia glanced at her mother. Had she heard her and Jaden last night? Memories of her wails and yelps came slamming to the forefront.

“I didn’t see Jaden leave. I guess you two kissed and made up?”

A flush of embarrassment fell over Claudia, and she rolled her face back into the pillows with another groan. It was then that she realized her bottom was bare. Frantically, Claudia reached down and pulled the covers over her nakedness.

“Too late for that, I used to wipe that little butt remember.”

Claudia groaned again. “Ma!”

“Well, I did.”

“Do you mind leaving the room so I can get myself together, please?”

“As soon as you get on the phone and rehire London.”

London. Claudia remembered firing her. Claudia had been so upset and disappointed with herself for letting Jaden get up under her skin that she’d fired London for letting him in. Jaden. There was no way she could get him out of her heart within a few days or even weeks. Last night, he’d spoken like she meant everything to him, but she told the truth about her current status. Claudia was damaged goods. And she didn’t want to bring a man down who had his stuff together.

“I’ll call London when I get to my office, but I’m already late. Now can you please step out so I can change?”

Adeline was good for putting up a fight, but this morning she didn’t feel like it. “Don’t come home without calling her.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” Adeline wiggled her butt off the bed, bracing her weight on the walker.

After she left, Claudia scurried out of bed and shut the door turning her back against it.

“Get it together girl, you’ve got a busy day.”

Claudia went about the business of showering, moisturizing and dressing. She pulled her hair off her face today and paid extra attention to applying her foundation. When she stepped in S & M Financial Advisory, Samiyah, Octavia, and Selena all had clients in their offices, which was fine by Claudia since she didn’t feel like talking anyway. She was still trying to sort out what she should do about Jaden.

Closing her door, Claudia rounded the desk. She hit the speaker and dialed a number.

“Ms. Stevens?”

“Good morning, London.” Claudia paused. “Listen, last night I was tired and upset. There was no reason for my behavior. I need you. Can you pick up where you left off?”

Claudia heard a sigh on the other line. “Of course, I am terribly sorry. You won’t have to worry about me doing that again.”

“Well, that’s good to hear. I’ll try not to overreact like that again.”

“Thank you, Ms. Stevens.”

“Just call me Claudia. We’re both around the same age, there’s no need for the formality.”

“Alright, I’ll head over there now.”

“Thanks, have a good day, bye now.”

Claudia disconnected the line and sat down in her seat. Her benefit was a couple of weeks away, and her nerves were frazzled about how well it would go. Would she meet the goals she set? Five hundred thousand dollars is what she wanted to raise. But was it too much? Claudia rested against her chair and twirled in the swivel seat.

Her cell rang that familiar tune and where she wanted to smile and be complaisant, she felt obstinate.

“Good morning,” she answered.

“And what a good morning it is.”

Claudia couldn’t stop the smiled that tugged at her lips.

“About last night,” she started, her insecurities creeping back in. “It was a mistake.” Jaden was quiet, so Claudia continued. “I can’t be in a relationship with you Jaden, I’m sorry.”

“Why are you doing this?”

Claudia shut her eyes and leaned back in her chair.

“I have issues. I can’t very well be in a healthy relationship with anyone when I don’t know what that entails. I’ve never been in one before. I wasn’t raised in a family that set good examples. Maybe that’s why I always settle for losers, but I don’t want to hold you back. You deserve a woman who’s put together, and unfortunately, that’s not me.”

“Claudia.”

“I’m sorry Jaden, I really am. I’m sincere when I say, I hope you find the woman of your dreams.”

“Claudia.”

“I have to go.”

“Don’t hang up.” There was a desperate cry in his voice.

Claudia hesitated. “I’m sorry,” she said disconnecting the line.

Jaden slammed the cell phone against the wall effectively shattering the smartphone. A wolfish growl seeped from him, and he balled his fists tight causing veins to populate across his forearms. Claudia seemed hell-bent on moving forward in a relationship without him, so why should he even bother? There was no shortage of women in Chicago or elsewhere. He should just move on and let her be.

But no other woman could replace Claudia. She was effectively in his system, cording around his heart like red blood cells. Jaden squeezed his temples. What do you do when the woman you want doesn’t want to be with you? His door swung open, and Jonas stepped in taking in the streak against the wall and shattered phone laying on the floor.

Jaden’s head snapped up; his mouth set, ready to go off on whoever dared to enter without an invitation. Seeing Jonas, Jaden swallowed the expletive on his tongue.

“Claudia?” Jonas asked.

Jaden agreed without words, shaking his head up and down. Jonas sighed. “Did you tell her?”

Jaden shook his head no.

“Why not? I thought we agreed you would.”

Frustration boiled over. “She didn’t give me a chance. She just…” Jaden sighed, “Ended our relationship.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

Jaden held him with a lethal glare. “I’m not doing a damn thing. She doesn’t want to be with me.”

“You don’t believe that no more than I do.”

“She told me she didn’t.”

“In those exact words?”

Jaden dithered. “She said something to the effect of, I deserved better or some shit. I don’t know why she assumes she’s not enough for me, it’s driving me crazy.”

“So, are you giving up?”

“Yeah, I’m done.”

Jonas walked towards the window propping his hands behind his back.

“So then, you don’t mind if Derek asks her out?” Jonas was referring to one of Jonathon’s frat brothers. “He saw her at the wedding and has been asking about her ever since. But because you guys were together, I’ve been holding him off.”

When Jonas turned to Jaden, the savage glare Jaden shot his way was enough to say it all. “What? If you’re not going after her, maybe Derek will have better luck, eh?”

“Are you trying to mess with me, Jonas, because I’m not in a playing mood?”

“You’re right; it’s too soon. I’ll wait until you get over her then introduce them.”

Jaden grunted. “Derek won’t be alive long enough to get the chance,” Jaden barked with a venom potent enough that Jonas believed him.

Jonas slid his hands into his pockets. “That’s what I thought.” He strolled to the door with a whistle on his tongue.

“You said all that to mean what exactly?” Jaden said from behind him.

Jonas glanced over his shoulder. “Simple; you’re in love with her. You didn’t get a chance to tell her and anybody else won’t suffice. Go get her, before someone else does.” Jonas strolled out the door, his whistle haunting Jaden.