Free Crazy Love by Desiree Day Page A

were mindless idiots. But I don’t mean to,” she said, and hung her head, ashamed at her behavior.
    â€œI hope you don’t,” Tyrell answered.
    â€œIt’s just that I’m so stressed. I have to deal with upset customers, vendors who want their money, I have to make sure that the rent is paid on time, I—”
    Tyrell placed his hand over her mouth. “Be quiet!” he instructed. “You’re making excuses,” Tyrell said. “And excuses are like credit cards—everybody has them. So you gotta come better than that, baby,” he said before removing his hand.
    Tameeka sighed. “I don’t have time to think about how I talk to people.”
    Tyrell stood up, stretched and sauntered to the door. He had his hand on the doorknob, then he turned back to look at her. “You’d better start thinking about how you talk to people, because if you don’t, you might not have anyone around to listen to you.” He strolled through the door leaving Tameeka gaping; a heartbeat passed before she raced after him.

9
Why Every Woman Needs a Best Friend
    You’ll have a 24/7 confidante
You’ll have a permanent shopping partner
You’ll have someone to swap clothes with
You’ll have a sounding and crying board
You’ll have someone there to catch you when you fall
    T ameeka stirred the pot of lima beans, then sat at the table across from Stacie. It was dinnertime and it was Tameeka’s week to cook, which both of them were grateful for; culinarily challenged, Stacie’s fanciest dish was tuna casserole, and even that was hit or miss.
    â€œSo Carlos still doesn’t know about the car?” Tameeka asked.
    Stacie shook her head. “Nope. I thought she was busted. Remember I told you he’d called her? All he wanted was CoCo’s shoe size.”
    â€œThe Lord must have been looking out for her. ’Cause as soon as Carlos finds out about that car, the shit is gonna hit the fan,” Tameeka vowed.
    â€œI know,” Stacie lamented, worried for her sister. “I don’t know what possessed her to do something so stupid. She’s finally getting herself together. All her efforts are going to be crap when Carlos finds out. You know what they call him on the street, don’t you?” she asked, giving Tameeka a knowing look. “How could she possibly think the shit she did won’t come back and smack her in the face? And what was she doing, screwing around with that old man and letting him buy her a car? I don’t get it,” Stacie said, then finally noticed what her friend was cooking. “Aw crap! Are you on the bean diet again?” Stacie asked, alarmed. Every time Tameeka went on one of her diets, she had to suffer through it with her.
    â€œNu-uh, I had a taste for some lima beans, barbecue turkey wings and corn bread,” she answered, and Stacie breathed a sigh of relief.
    â€œGirl, you always cooking something,” Stacie teased. “Even when we were little, you were burning in your Easy-Bake Oven.”
    â€œIt calms me, girl,” Tameeka answered, and turned to the refrigerator, pulling out a tray of seasoned turkey wings. “After my store, it’s the next best thing to sex.”
    â€œI don’t know about all that. More relaxing than sex? You crazy, girl. Ain’t nuthin’ better than sex.”
    â€œYou just got hot panties. Everybody ain’t like you. We all don’t live and die for the dick. So how many men do you have lined up for the week?” Tameeka asked.
    â€œNot a lot…just Dennis,” Stacie mumbled under her breath.
    â€œDennis?” Tameeka asked, her voice incredulous. “The same Dr. Dennis who promised to take you to Savannah, then called to tell you that he and his wife reconciled? That Dennis?” She shook her head.
    â€œYeah, that Dennis . They separated again, this time for good.”
    â€œWhatever,” Tameeka