LEMONADE 2||

Chapter 45: Temporary Highs

Victoria walked downstairs with her stack of papers she had to grade. She turned on the lights thrown off guard but a huge bouquet of roses on her counter. She snatched the note from Cortez reading it.

"Because I love you no matter what"

She smelled the roses continuing to grade her papers. She appreciated the roses but after the previous session, it took a toll on her emotionally. She could give a damn about the flowers she just wanted him to move on. "Ma are you going to Aunt Monica's house? Camden asked. "Now you know I'm not going miss girl," Victoria said setting up her office. "Just one-time ma" she begged. "No Cam, your father and I are no longer together therefore I don't need to be at dinner" she explained. Camden sucked her teeth annoyed. "The answer is always no" she scoffed plopping on the couch. Victoria ignored her starting to grade her papers. "Wait till you start dating and have a family of your own you'll understand," she said. She could sense Cortez pull up at any moment to get them and today she didn't want to be bothered. "Jalen" she called. Jalen rushed downstairs "Your father is outside... y'all have fun. I love you and be safe" she said. "Love you too," they both said. Jalen opened the door. "Dad," he said excitedly. Victoria rolled her eyes trying to grab her things. She didn't feel like the forced flirting she rather he actually fuck with someone else. "Wassup twins, where's your mommy? He asked

"Inside looking busy," Jalen said. Victoria's mouth dropped at her son's shady comment. You carry these kids for 9 months and they play you like this. He walked in "Wassup mommy" he smiled. "Hey," Victoria said grading her papers not giving him eye contact.

The kids went to the car already knowing their dad was going to flirt with their mom for 10 minutes. "What you up to? He asked

"Just grading papers," she said. "Wanna come to the family dinner? He asked. "No, I'm backed up with school work," she said. He sucked his teeth "looks like 5 flimsy papers to me," he said. She rolled her eyes "You never respected my profession" she said. "Whoa, calm down you know that's not true but imma let you rock," he said. "I'd appreciate that," she said.

"You're still mad at me? He asked

"No... it's just not much to say honestly"

"I know opening up at these sessions is difficult but you gotta know it's hard for me too, but no matter what I hope you know that I love you right? He asked. "And I'm doing this for us" he added.

"I know you love me, and I hope you're doing this for yourself and not us," she said. Cortez brushed off the curve.

"Ight imma let you get back to it," he said

"Thanks for the flowers," she said. Cortez hated how cold she was he felt like nothing he was doing was working he didn't expect results overnight but he really felt like a loser. He could not pull this woman back it's been 9 10 months since he started this journey of trying to start over and she wouldn't budge. Victoria could feel him staring in her soul he always had those seductive eyes the kind that gets you out of your panties in no time but that wasn't happening

"You're welcome" he leaned over pecking her cheek before leaving. She watched him leave closing the door. She sighed continuing to do her work.

Josie

Josie sat on the couch talking to Maya for a little bit. "You really throw down in the kitchen Maya I need a few recipes," she said. "Girl I gotchu" she said. "Even though your start late" she laughed. "I know I'm so bad with my time management Kasey be on my ass about it but the food should be ready in another 15 minutes but feel free to eat from the charcuterie board," she said. "I think I will" Josie got up walking towards the table. Ricky and Ms. Monica were catching up. "I must say you kicked cancer's butt Ms. Monica," she said