Always

37.

Spencer James

*one week later*

"It's lookin' good in here playboy!" Sean said as he entered the clothing store. "What else is there left to do?" he inquired as he checked the blueprints.

"The flooring needs to be switched out and the plan is to also change the color of the walls. I met with an interior designer to inquire about possibly adding dressing rooms" Spencer answered as he approached Sean. "What chu' think about that?" he inquired.

"This space right here could be used for...about two dressing rooms. One for the ladies and one for the fellas" Sean pointed at the blank area. "I don't think you'd need more than two. Just think about the amount of space that would take up" he said and Spencer nodded his head.

"So what do you think I should I do with the extra space then?" Spencer inquired as he jotted down a few notes.

"Perhaps use it as a display or waiting area" Sean answered and Spencer nodded.

"Good idea" Spencer told him. "I was-"

Spencer paused from speaking as he heard a loud knock at the front door. "It's late as hell and niggas wanna come knockin'. You expectin' somebody at this time of hour?" he glanced at Sean.

"Hell nah" Sean answered. "You expectin' somebody?" he asked and Spencer shook his head 'no'.

"I'ma go check it out" Spencer grabbed his gun and tucked it in his waist band. "Aye, Sean!" he called out as he didn't see anyone near the front doors. 

"We on go, Spence?" Sean approached him with his gun in his hand. 

"Not yet. I'ma check the perimeter. Watch my back" he instructed and Sean nodded. Spencer exited the front door and his eyes scanned the area around him.

 "Liv?" he frowned as he'd seen her standing a few feet from the door. "What chu' doin' here?" he inquired and then signaled to Sean that everything was good.

"I was just about to call you. I stopped by Merkato's and got some dinner for us. I figured we could have a little picnic date here" Olivia stuffed her phone in her pocket and picked up the basket from off of the ground. "And...you don't seem that happy to see me" her smile quickly faded.

"It ain't that baby" Spencer stepped towards her, reaching for her hand. "You know I don't feel comfortable with you drivin' on this side of town at night. Shit's been gettin' wild in the city lately, so I've been comin' to work strapped" he told her, guiding her into the store.

"What up sis! Thank God it was you out there. It might've been yo last day" Sean chuckled and Spencer glared at him. "I'ma go ahead and excuse myself. I'll holla at you tomorrow" he cleared his throat and exited the building.

"I'm sorry Spencer. We haven't spoken in awhile and I just wanted to surprise you with dinner" Olivia explained. "But I see now that this was a total bust" she frowned.

"Nah no it ain't. I'm glad that you here honestly" he squeezed her hand. "I'd say we eat dinner at my Pops...we can set it up there" he suggested.

"Okay" she gave a half-smile.

"I'ma just close up shop" Spencer told her. "You wait right here" he said and she nodded her head.

***

"You was overly emotional then" Spencer laughed as he recalled one of his favorite memories of Olivia. "I don't want you to leave...I want you to stay here with me" he mocked her voice and she flipped him off.

"To be fair, Spencer, I was pregnant" Olivia defended and he politely disagreed.

"Not at that time" Spencer chuckled and Olivia playfully rolled her eyes. "It's okay to admit you was just worried about a nigga" he said and Olivia gave a half smile.