You're All I Need by Karen White-Owens Page B

out.”
    â€œI’ve got a lot to think about. I plan to get through the rest of the day, and I’ll worry about Darnell later.” Tia noticed the blinking light on her telephone. Someone had called.
    â€œYou’re not going to keep seeing that ass, are you?”
    â€œI don’t know what I’m going to do yet. Please, let it go.”
    Nia took her sister’s hand. “I can’t.”
    â€œDo the words personal business mean anything to you?”
    â€œYeah, but you don’t get personal business when I’m the one who saw the jerk out with other women.”
    Tia sighed and studied her sister before asking, “What part of ‘I need time to think things through’ don’t you understand? Why can’t you let me do what needs to be done my way?”
    â€œI can’t, Tia. You are one of the smartest, most caring women I know.” Nia’s tone held a note of pride and then a touch of scorn. “But you are tenderhearted. You care way too much for that buffoon. You gave him your heart, and Darnell danced away with it.”
    â€œHow about this? I’ll call him and ask him to drop by my place tonight. Will you leave me alone then?”
    Nia’s head tilted to the side as she considered Tia’s request. “Maybe.”
    â€œThank goodness.” Tia reached for the phone. She left a message on Darnell’s cell phone before dialing his office. All the while, Nia watched and listened with an unblinking stare. His administrative assistant answered on the second ring. Sorry, but Darnell was out of the office. She expected him back around four. Yes, she’d have him give her a call. After a moment, Tia added that if he was too busy, he could just drop by her place on his way home.
    Tia hung up, turned to Nia, and asked, “Satisfied?”
    â€œNot really but it’ll do.”
    Chris rounded the corner and strolled toward the sisters. “Hello.”
    Nia turned to face Chris, giving him one of her most engaging smiles. “Hi.”
    For a reason Tia didn’t want to consider, she didn’t like the expression on her sister’s face. Nia was way too enthusiastic with Chris.
    Smiling, Chris focused on Tia. The smile vanished. He rounded the workstation and sat opposite Nia. He touched Tia’s hand. “You all right?”
    â€œYeah. I’m fine. There are a couple of things I have to resolve.”
    Watching her closely, he added, “If you need me, I’ll do anything I can for you.”
    Almost in tears, Tia muttered, “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
    â€œI’ll take care of her,” Nia volunteered.
    â€œOkay.” He rose from the desk and strolled to his office.
    â€œWhat now?” Tia asked, although she really didn’t want to know the answer.
    â€œI’m leaving. Going home.”
    â€œGood.”
    Nia stood and snatched up her purse, giving her twin a hard, intense glare. “Tia, don’t let him off the hook. Darnell is a rat. You’ve got too much on the ball to let that lowlife stay in your life. Plus, if he’s messing around with other women, there’s a chance he can pass diseases to you that could end your life. I don’t want that to happen. Besides, I’d be in jail because I’d kill him.”
    That’s not a problem, Tia thought. They hadn’t been intimate in six months or more. There always seemed to be a reason why he needed to leave or had something more important to do.
    Tia watched her sister sashay out of the office. With a sense of relief, she sank into her chair. Finally, some peace. Nia meant well. She had made some good points, and in the very near future, Tia would consider them. But right now, she needed time to think, evaluate the situation, and come up with a plan.
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    For an hour, Tia sat on the sofa in her living room as the images from the six o’clock news flashed before her. Nia’s words were embedded in