Book Two: Adaptation

•8•

•Nava•
Just getting off work, I wave goodbye to Dion as she walks away before I turn to get in Tahj's jeep. Closing the door behind me I turn to put my seatbelt on, "Hey um, can you take me home?"

"Like to your place?" He asks starting the car.

I sit back in my seat getting comfortable, "Yes. Abel won't be home for a while, and I don't want to be in that big house alone"

"It is a pretty big house" Tahj laughs making me smile.

"Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so"

"I'm sure you'll get used to it once you fully move in" he backs out to then pull off.

Peering out the window I bite my lip, "That's what makes me nervous"

"Why?"

"I don't know. I'm not used to being wealthy and living in mansion type homes. It's not a life I ever imagined myself having"

"You're not a bad person for marrying into money, ya know; y'all fell in love. Abel is a wealthy man and now you're a wealthy woman, you didn't do anything wrong"

"We're not married yet." I point out glancing at him before I look back out the window. "As long as I've been with him, his money has never really been a concern to me. Granted we've done things normal people don't usually do at my age but it didn't bother me because, and at the risk of sounding ungreatful, it's Abel's money and I can't tell him what to do with it. If you haven't noticed, when he sets his mind to something it's not likely you'll be able to change his mind"

"Yeah" Tahj chuckles taking the exit to the highway, "I noticed"

I can't help smiling, "But at the same time he doesn't act the way I always pictured a wealthy person would act like. I mean he has the work ethic but he's also... very generous"

"He cares" Tahj nods.

"Yeah he does and that's what makes me love him."

"I'm really happy for you guys. My girl and I just broke up and I had been thinking about asking her to marry me so seeing you guys about to tie the knot is somewhat comforting to me"

"Oh, I'm so sorry" I frown.

"It's cool" Tahj shrugs. "She got a job offer that she deserved to take out in Virginia"

"That's fantastic. Were you together long?"

"Yeah, about three years"

"Wow, that's a long time. How did you two meet"

"It actually didn't feel like it but I've known her since high school though we didn't get together until way after since she went to college in New Hampshire and I moved here"

"Oh"

"Don't be sad. We still got love for each other but she doesn't believe in long distance relationships and I can't just up and quit on you"

"I would have understood"

"I appreciate that but I don't think Abel would appreciate me quitting for something that doesn't really have anything to do with me"

I tilt my head to the side slightly confused by what he means until it hits me and I wonder if maybe he owes Abel in some way. It is part of his job to know about XO; he probably knows more than I do.

"Well I personally don't see how that's fair. You should do what makes you happy regardless of what people are going to say, so if she made you-"

"I am happy, Nava. Honest" he looks over giving me the most sincerest expression and I feel a blush heat up my neck.