BFF

Back in town

Tia POV

We were at the mall, knocking out some errands, mostly stuff for Dave. I turned to Ki as we walked through the entrance.

"I need to grab Dave's chain," I said, adjusting my purse strap. "He sent it up here to get cleaned."

Ki rolled her eyes, smirking. "Alright, crybaby. I'm coming, damn."

We made our way to Hutch's store. The second I stepped inside, I called out, "Hutch!"

He looked up and gave me a warm smile. "Oh, the Mrs.! How are you?"

"I'm good," I replied. "I'm here to pick up Dave's chains."

"I've got them all ready," he said, walking to the back. "He already paid for the cleaning."

Of course he did. "He never lets me do anything," I muttered.

"I know," Ki added, laughing. "He so irritating for that."

Just then, some random dude nearby caught sight of me.

"Ay, ma!"

I turned, confused. "Do I know you?"

"Nah," he said with a grin, "but you fine as fuck."

"I'm good," I said firmly. "I'm married."

"Some nigga lucked up. You look mad familiar though."

And the crazy part was—he did look familiar. I couldn't place him, but there was this strange flicker in the back of my memory, like I'd hung with him before or seen him somewhere real specific.

"Well... I'm around," I said cautiously.

He chuckled. "You sound like somebody I used to know."

I didn't respond. Just took Dave's chain from Hutch, thanked him, and walked out.

Ki leaned in once we were outside. "That was weird."

"I know! And I feel like I know him too."

"I wonder from where," she said thoughtfully.

"Girl, I have no clue."

We headed into Gucci next—Dave needed yet another pair of slides. I still didn't get why he had to have so many damn pairs of the same shoes, but whatever made him happy.

"These the ones, right?" Ki asked, holding up a pair.

"Yes! That's them. I'm just happy they had his size."

After I paid, we wandered into some baby stores. That's my weakness. I can't resist baby clothes. Shopping for my kids is an addiction—dangerous, but I love it.

Ki held up a tiny dress. "Look at this! Omg, I might need me a little daughter."

"Yes! I love dressing the girls, but I swear I like dressing Easton even more. Dave will deadass have Kairi and Kenzie looking like little boys."

Ki cackled. "I'm dead. I'm just happy Chris don't do that. He gets Royalty the cutest little outfits. I love it."

"That's so cute," I agreed. "He needs to talk to Dave because I cannot."

Ki held up another outfit. "Omggg, please get this one."

"I am! I cannot leave it."

By the time we walked out, I had a mountain of bags—all baby stuff. Not a single thing for myself. Dave was going to lose his shit.

And just as we stepped out of the mall, there he was again.

Same dude from earlier.

"Damn, I ain't get your number," he said, sliding closer.