What He Needs

•38•

•continued•

Chilling with Lamar, Wesley, Sal, Rima, and Cash I take the blunt Lamar is handing off to me taking a deep hit savoring the feeling of the hot smoke filling my mouth and lungs. Letting the smoke out I hear Rima call Nava's name for her attention.

"So, Nava, how did you like Paris? I understand this was your first time here"

Nava, who's sitting under my arm, pops her head up as if surprised she's even talking to her. I can tell Nava has been trying to avoid her all night, the last time we were all together obviously still bothers her, but it shouldn't.

Rima isn't one to judge, she was just calling me on my bullshit. She's the sweetest person you'll ever meet, and she just wants the best for all of us since we're like family.

Sometimes I never understand how her and Sal ended up together and are about to get married in a couple months' time but I'm really happy for them.

Honestly, I never thought Sal would be the first of us to even pop the question.

Still, I get why he locked Rima down, I see the love between them, the bond they share; they're the best of friends.

If me and the rest of the crew were being honest, it's the kind of love we all want with that special someone one day.

"Yeah. This was my first time; I had a lot of fun" Nava nods.

"What did you guys do?" Rima goes on.

Glancing at me Nava shrugs, "We visited a lot of museums, a couple tourist spots. Things like that"

Rima smiles, "That's great, what are you going to do when you get home?"

"Um, probably look for a job"

"A job?" Rima and Wesley say together.

"Why?" Wesley questions.

"Why not? I'm not going to be doing anything but looking for an apartment. Might as well do something productive with my time"

"That's what twenty-four seven shopping sprees are for" Wesley pouts taking the blunt I'm passing to her.

Nava and I have already had this conversation.

Along with her stupid idea to get her own place for some reason she thinks she needs a job when she works for me. I pay her weekly so it's not like money is an issue.

Why she thinks she needs another job, I'll never understand but it's something she wants so who am I to stand in the way of that.

"Well what kind of job?" Rima questions.

"Probably something to do with writing. Now that I'm going to be living in California, I think I'll have more options than what I had back home"

"Oh, you write?" Rima beams, "are you published?"

Nava laughs shaking her head, "No. Writing was more of a hobby than anything. I used to write little prompts in high school for the paper, but it didn't go anywhere"

Interested, Rima moves to a closer spot near Nava, "What is it you write about because I know some people in the industry that are always looking for fresh new voices"