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asked. “Because she knew we wouldn’t approve. Why else would she keep it a secret?”
    â€œI don’t need your approval,” Erica said even though it wasn’t true. What Billie and Sherise thought meant more than anything to her, but she wasn’t going to back down. “I’m seeing him again and I just wanted to keep it between us until I knew it was what I wanted.”
    â€œErica,” Sherise whined. “You had a chance to trade up. You could have gone out with any of the guys I tried to set you up with. You could have gone out with anyone else. Why would you go back to this hood?”
    â€œHe’s not a hood,” Erica snapped.
    â€œNo,” Sherise agreed. “You’re right. He’s bumped up to extortion, so what does that make him? A high-class hustler?”
    â€œShut up,” Erica said. “He made a mistake. He realizes that he could have ruined lives.”
    â€œMy life!” Sherise yelled.
    â€œHey.” Billie held up a hand to Sherise. “You calm down. You put yourself in a position to have your life ruined, so stop looking for scapegoats.”
    â€œExactly,” Erica chimed in.
    â€œBut you.” Billie turned to her. “What Terrell did was awful. Do you really think you can trust him?”
    Erica wanted to say yes, completely, but she couldn’t. “I’m not exactly there yet, but I’m getting there. He’s trying so hard.”
    â€œThey all try,” Billie said.
    â€œI love him,” Erica admitted hopelessly.
    Billie’s concerned frown softened into a smile. “I know you do, sweetheart.”
    â€œYou fucked him, didn’t you?” Sherise asked, not trying to hide her disgust. “He put his little dick on you and you believe anything he says.”
    â€œYou’re the only one who seems to have a problem falling for the wrong dick,” Erica said with a haughty roll of her head. “And his . . . is not little.”
    Billie could see this was getting out of hand. “Let’s try to focus, girls. Erica, no one would blame you if you were . . . you know . . . dickmatized. It happens to the best of us.”
    â€œI’m not,” Erica said. “We haven’t even had sex yet. We’ve only been on a few dates and maybe kissed once or twice. Who are you to judge me, Sherise?”
    â€œI admit my mistakes,” Sherise lied, “but that doesn’t change the fact that this is a mistake, your mistake. You had gotten rid of the trash, just to turn around and bring it back in. He’ll find a way to fuck everything up again. It’s what brothas like him do.
    The waiter returned with three shots of Patrón.
    â€œWell,” Erica said, “if you keep your panties on and stop fucking the wrong people, you won’t have anything to worry about from this brotha.”
    â€œDamn,” the waiter added.
    All three ladies looked up at him. He composed himself and walked away.
    â€œYou aren’t fooling anyone,” Sherise said. “You keep trying to bring up my mistakes to deflect from what you know is your own.”
    This incensed Erica for some reason. She wanted to jump out of the chair and slap Sherise. “Just work on your own marriage and don’t worry about my relationship with Terrell. I know what—”
    Erica halted as a man approached their table. He was tall, dark, and handsome in a very traditional way. He was a professional, dressed in a navy blue suit and a white button-down shirt. He looked to be in his thirties, with a close, neat cut. He clearly had a goal in mind, and that goal was Billie. He didn’t have eyes for anyone else.
    â€œSorry to interrupt.” His voice was compelling and deep. “My name is Robert. You are?”
    â€œBillie,” she answered cautiously.
    â€œHi, Billie.” He flashed a million-watt smile. “I noticed you sitting over here and I was wondering if you