"Hey." Naomi stepped aside to let Gigi enter her foyer.

"Hey." Gigi looked her up and down, admiring her appearance in awe. "You look amazing! Did you make that?"

"That I did AND this skirt is real leather."

"Impressive."

Naomi guided her into the kitchen. "I was just gonna get something to eat. You want something?" She bent down in the fridge.

Gigi took a seat at the island."What you got?"

"Okay, let's see, I got leftover Chinese, cheesecake.. Ooh! more cheesecake."

"What kind?"

"The little individual slices."

She opened her hands. "Lay one on me."

Naomi slid her piece across the counter and grabbed her own and hopped on top of the island counter.

"So, how's Jasmyn holding up? I mean, apart from the constant crying and bitter depressing."

"She's fine." Naomi sighed. "It's just, it's just weird what's happening with her and Prince. You know, yesterday Hannah asked me to fix her up with somebody."

Gigi shrugged. "Well the best way to get over somebody is to get under somebody new."

"But Jasmyn? That's not what she needs right now. What Prince did is unforgivable but if she didn't care about him she wouldn't be this broken up over it."

"Ugh!" Gigi stabbed her fork into her cake. "Why is he such a jackass?"

"I don't know. Jasmyn tells me all the time. 'ain't nothin' worse than a guy that's fine ass boy that knows he's fine'." Naomi sucked the last of the cheesecake off the fork. "Then she deals with the finest most confident man to ever grace the planet. " She pursed her lips in thought.

"They're so perfect for each other. It's crazy."

Gigi huffed and tossed her fork over into the sink. "I just wish they'd realize they should be together."

"Well would you wanna deal with a married man?" Naomi grabbed Gigi's empty cheesecake container and plopped it into the trashcan.

"I know, I know. but when she told me about them taking that night time trip to Minnesota I assumed that's where things were headed for them, I thought that they'd be walking down the aisle in no time..."

"I know!!." Gigi squealed. "Did she show you the pictures?!? Guys don't do that for just anybody."

Naomi groaned, hopping back onto the stool. "They should just stop playing with eachother's emotions and get married, have children already."

Gigi placed her chin in the palm of her hands. "Ain't that the truth."

"You know what?" Naomi slammed her hand onto the table in realization. "Maybe once she starts dating, and she see's see what's out there, she'll realize how perfect Prince and her are for each other."

Gigi squinted. "So, what are we gonna do? Set her up with horrible dates and drive her back into the arms of a liar."

"......Yeah." Naomi shrugged. "Come on I know a few guys actually."

___________________

Date #1: Parker Aaron, Humanitarian

"What a beautiful place. What a great night! I have to tell you, being here with you in this blessed little slice of French heaven, Patina...I feel so lucky." He mused, looking around the restaurant. "I think of all the good times that have happened here. The birthdays, those lifechanging after prom dinners, the surprise engagements, but none of them will compare with tonight! My God, I don't want to forget this moment! It's like I want to take a mental picture of you!" He props his arms up on the table as if he has a camera, and took an imaginary picture. I, once again, scooted my silverware away from me.

Somewhere there is someone with a tranquilizer gun and a huge butterfly net looking for this man.

"I don't think the flash went off." I chuckled, painfully forcing a smile on my face like I had been doing all night.

I want someone to come and shoot me in the face. This has been the most irritating night of my life. I felt like I was on a date with the fucking Easter bunny.

"Dahhaaa!" He howled, slapping the table causing the entire restaurant to look at us. I ducked my head behind my menu. "I'm going to find the men's room. I'll be back my mystical siren. A beautiful and delicate yet dangerous creature, who lured me in like a nearby sailors with her enchanting music and angelic voice to shipwreck on the rocky coast of your island called love."

Kill yourself. Die. Today. Death. To you bitch die.

He darted off to the bathroom and I contemplated whether I was going to ditch this pain in the ass but Naomi said this guy was a good friend of hers so I shouldn't just be rude, like many people like to say that I am. I decided to bite the bullet and stay for a terrible dinner because that's exactly what it was. If their was a special torture pit in hell, sitting in a room with him would be one of them.

I held his hand a guided him past the living room and into the kitchen.

"My God what a fantastically well lit kitchen!"

I rolled my eyes, peeling off my coat and tossing it over a chair. "Can I get you something to drink? Like a water ...or a sedative."

"I must say this kitchen, its, its, There are no words..."

"That's a first." I mumbled to myself, sliding him a glass of water. Water was the most risk free drink I could give him.

He snapped. "It's a haven. A movie starlet's paradise. A modern-day Eden in the midst o-"

"Yeah yeah.. Listen why don't we just um, sit and relax? You know just be with each other. Quietly!" I pulled him into the living room and pushed him back onto the couch.

"My God this is the most comfortable couch I've ever sat on in my entire life." He bounced harder and harder on the couch with every word.

"Let's try something else, let's play a game."

"I love games!"

"Shocking! Let's play the game of.." I giggled looking around. "who can stay quiet the longest."

"Or...UNO." He opened his coat to reveal a set of cards.

I closed his jacket back for him, more for him than for me. I would actually want to play but i'd murder him in UNO and that's just a fact. As much as i'd love to break his spirit, crush his dream, and damage his ego. I was too nice. "But, let's play this one first. And remember whoever talks first loses!"

We sat back and he was finally quiet, his excessive foot tapping almost drove me up the wall but it's more tolerable than his talking. I closed my eyes

"I lose, now UNO."

I jumped up off the couch, clenching both my fists. "Oh my God! Oh my God!"

"Is something wrong?"

"Wrong? Really? You know the word wrong. Everything isn't perfect? Everything isn't magical? Everything doesn't have the glow with the light of a million fuckin' fairies?"

I paced the floor furiously, trying to slow my breathing. "They were just brake lights, Parker!"

"Well, excuse me for putting a good spin on a traffic jam!"

I squinted. "You called the Expressway a concrete miracle."

"Sorry I happen to appreciate the hard work that goes into construction."

"But everything?!? Your so happy about everything?!?"

"I'm sorry that's who I am. I'm a positive person."

"No! Naomi's a positive person. You are like Santa Clause... on Prozac.... at Disneyland....getting laid! And i'm pretty sure the reason you were born a week earlier than your due date is because even your mother's uterus couldn't stand you! I can't stand you!"

He crossed his arms. "So what do you want me to do, you want me to be more negative, less happy?"

"If you could dial it down a few notches that would be nice."

"We'll I guess I'd better be going." He stormed off and I followed behind him eagerly, wanting to get this aggressive Sesame Street character out my house.

"Don't let the best door in the world hit you in the ass on your way out!" I slammed the door behind me and turned to face my, once again empty house.

I exhaled. "Silence."

I heard shuffling on the other side of the door. "If this white man don't..BOY ARE YOU STILL ON MY PORCH??"

He giggled. "Isn't this the most incredible fight you've ever had in your entire life?"

"Will you leave me alone!!"

_____________________

Date #2: Omar Shah, CEO

I was at the same restaurant as before, Patina. I told Naomi no more enthusiastic guys and she delivered. This guy was miles ahead of the other. He's barely talked since he picked me up. I like him already.

"Wow, everything looks so good! I think I'm gonna have the pasta." I could feel him staring at me out the corner of my eye. I felt a chill run down my spine. He was so good looking, Naomi told me he was born and raised in Dubai. He came here a few years ago to look for a better life and he ended up building a million dollar real estate empire. The best part is he's only 28. If that's doesn't make your panties drop then I don't know what will.

"I - I just have to say this...you're really beautiful."

I blushed and flipped my bangs out my face. "Thank you baby."

"I'm kind of funny looking."

My eyes widened, I placed my hands over his. "What? No your not you are very handsome."

"Oh come on, you're way out of my league. Everybody in here knows it. Bet that guy over there's probably saying, "ooh, why she out with him? He must be rich!" Well, I'm not!"

"Naomi told me that you owned your own real estate business. That's impressive."

"It was but I lost it, everything I worked for GONE!" He slammed his face into his hands.

"Oh my God!" I mouthed to myself. The waiter came over but I waved him away, I didn't think it was the time and I honestly didn't know if I would be ordering this time.

"I'm a telemarketer now."

"Really? What's that like?" I tried to sound as interested as I could. Leave it to Naomi to set me up with the down and out business man.

"It's really fulfilling doing something you hate for no money. That's right. I have no money, I'm not funny, I live in a studio apartment with two other guys, and I'm pretty sure............. I'm infertile."

I sucked my teeth nervously and picked back up the menu. "So, what do think you wanna order? I'm really excited about that pasta." I wanted to get off this subject as fast as possible.

"Did I mention I'm not funny either??" he snapped, which made me jump.

"You did. I believe you did mention that-"

"So, if you were thinking, 'well, he's not that good-looking, but maybe we'll have some laughs'.. That ain't gonna happen." he leered at me, and threw back another glass of wine.

"Now, come on sweetheart." I pouted. "There must be something that you like about yourself."

"I do like my personality."

I squinted. "Do ya'?"

An hour, 2 bathroom trips, 3 courses, and 14 glasses of wine later. Omar is sobbing. He's loosened his tie and his belt at this point, jumped on the table and proceeded to sing to the restaurant patrons on how it was raining men.

"I- I can't believe I'm crying in front of you. You must think I'm so pathetic."

I swirled my sweet tea around with my straw, wishing I was dead to some degree. "No, no, no, I admire a man who can cry."

"Really?" I felt his hand slip up my thigh under the table.

I clenched my jaw. "Don't touch me." I warned him, tightening my grip on my fork.

______________________

"Look bitch I told you once and i'm not gon' tell you again. You need to get your ass out the bed, get in the shower, put on some fresh clothes, put on some damn makeup because my gorgeous brown eyes can only take so much."

I flipped the cover from over my head. "No. Let me die alone because that's what's gonna happen." I told her flatly for the third time. Then another picture of Prince popped into my mind and another sob came out, following yet another boat load of tears.

"Ok honey, I'm sorry." she patted my shin in reassurance. "It's gonna be alright."

"Yeah." Naomi chimed in, sympathy in her tone.

"We'll be right here for you if you need anything." Gigi said, not taking her eyes off the TV. I pay them, I don't know why they insist on watching the hell out of my TV and eating all my damn food.

"Girl I know this is hard. I remember my first love." She looked up, reminiscing. "I was torn up just like you girl."

"He isn't my first love."

"Yes he is. My momma always said 'if you ever find yourself in love with two people choose the second because if you really loved the first person you would've never fell for the second'."

Which in some aspect she was right, I mean if I really loved Michael I would've never fell for Prince. I was head over heels in love until Prince came around, with his charm, and charisma, and his pretty hazel eyes that I feel like i've known my whole life.

Naomi crawled onto the end of the bed. "Well how did you get over your first love Hannah."

"I reported his ass as a sex offender."

My eyes widened and I shot up out the bed. "Hannah!!"

"Oh bitch please don't look at me like that. See that muthafucka had it comin'." She got up and started pacing the floor, reminiscing. Naomi shot me a 'what the hell' look and cuddled under the blanket with me, rubbing circles on my back.

"You see he fucked with the wrong bitch and it's not like he was ever convicted anyway they let him go...." She took her seat back on the side of the bed and smoothed down her hair. "eventually."

"Anyways off the crazy..." she put her hand up in Hannah's face before she could say another word. "Don't let this little thing ruin your life. I mean think about all the good things. Your funny, your confident, your bold."

Gigi clicked off the tv and climbed into the bed to join us. "Yeah your beautiful, your talented, and your a great friend."

"And on top of that you have a fat ass." Hannah popped me on the behind. I smiled. I did have a nice ass. I work my ass off in the gym to keep my figure in shape.

The phone rung across the room for the fifth time today. Yes, I am counting. And since Prince has been blowing up every line that can reach me I didn't answer it. I was not strong enough.

Naomi looked between me and Hannah before deciding to answer the phone herself.

"Hello!" she put her hand over the mouthpiece. "It's Prince."

I groaned, rolling my eyes. "Does this nigga ever give up."

"He's a persistent little one." Hannah chuckled, flipping through her magazine.

Gigi snickered. "Little is right."

I rolled my eyes at them. "Tell him I'm not here."

She nodded. "She said she's not here."

"Bitch." I slammed my hand into my face.

"He asked do you still hate him."

"Jesus yes!" I groaned, clenching my fists in the air. And it wasn't a complete lie. I do hate him. The thing was I miss the hell out of him.

"She said 'Jesus yes!'" she transfered my message, mocking my tone even mimicking my movements as if he could see it.

"He said he was just checking." I smirked, chuckling a little.

Gigi cut her eyes. "Why are you laughing?"

"I heard him say it in my head." I put my hand over my mouth trying to control my laughter but was failing miserably

Hannah I had enough so I grabbed the phone and hung up.

"Jas he sounds hurt."

I shrugged. "And? So he should."

"So are you and you should be thinkin' about how your going to feel once you see him again-"

I opened my mouth to speak and the sound of a doorbell rung through the house and the entire room froze. We all casted confused glances at each other.

"Not it!" Naomi notified us, stuffing chips in her mouth.

"Hell naw!" I told her

Gigi scooted to the top of the bed with me and Naomi. "Not today Satan."

Hannah looked around at all of us. "I guess i'll answer the door, but when he hacks me to pieces don't say nothin'."

"Don't worry girl I won't." I assured her.

We all followed closely behind her as she sashayed down the stairs.

She turned around sharply. "Do y'all bitches wanna answer the door too?"

I scrunched my face up. "Bitch answer the door."

She scoffed. "The disrespect."

Hannah opened the door and it stopped due to the security chain. "May I help you?" a newly arised attitude in her tone.

"Is Jasmyn here?" The sound of the voice brought tears to my eyes, it was Prince. I shot my hands to my mouth trying to muffle my sobs. Gigi and Naomi wrapped me up in a hug, sinking to the ground with me.

"She is."

"Well can I talk to her?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"Hell hasn't froze over."

I snickered at her comeback. She's the reason I always end up saying that to people. I crawled out of their arms and crawled to Hannah's feet behind the door. I wanted to atleast listen.

He chuckled. "So are you gonna let me in or what?"

"It doesn't take a genius to catch a hint that she doesn't want you anymore."

I bit into my sweatshirt sleeve, trying to hold back any crying that I would do. I hate that thinking about him made me an emotional mess. I did want him. The question is do I need him?

"And it doesn't take a genius to catch a frisbee in your mouth now does it?"

"Bite me Arsenio small." Hannah spat back.

"What's your problem huh? Mad cuz I didn't let you ride my dick back in high school."

"I would be but you see from what I hear." She sucked her teeth, looking him up and down. "You been shootin' blanks."

Prince sighed. "I just want to talk to her that's all.."

"Yeah? Then your gonna spit some bullshit like you always do and ping pong between her and Susannah. And from what I hear Sheila is in the mix too and who's this Devin Devasquez I keep hearing about."

"Where did you hear that from?"

"Everyone!! You've had something going on with Sheila since the Purple Rain tour. I get it though. Boy and girl on tour together, something is bound to happen." She rolled her eyes, knowingly.

I couldn't believe my ears. I was speechless. I felt a little light headed after hearing it. I lost my balance a little bit and slipped from the balls of my feet to my ass.

"Is that her?"

"Nope!!" she lied and slammed the door. She turned and cut her eyes at me.

I shrugged and her eyes went soft once again. "Jasmyn." she exhaled and helped me up.

We all started walking back up the stairs and froze in out tracks at the sound on someone kicking the door. I clenched my fists and stormed to the door, swinging it open so hard it most likely dented the wall.

I pushed past him to see if their was any damages. "HAVE YOU LOST YOUR FUCKIN' MIND!!" I swung at him but he ducked and stepped back onto the stairs. He knew me so well.

"No I needed to talk you but Hannah wasn't letting me do that." he pointed to Hannah who was standing with Naomi and Gigi in the doorframe.

"WITH GOOD FUCKIN' REASON! YOU DONT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT ME LET ALONE MY PROPERTY."

"JASMYN I CARE ABOUT YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING OR ANYONE IN THIS WORLD!!"

My mouth went dry and I knitted my brows at him. "What?" I cooed.

"I can't even write without thinking about you anymore, every song, every lyrics, is about you. I need you to function properly."

"So what are you saying?" If he says what I think he's about to say.

"I'm saying that I lo-.....I miss you."

"Wow." I exhaled. Wrong answer. I stepped inside and scowled at him before slamming the door.