Retrying Love

four

Lauren parked her car and took the key out of the ignition. "Let's go ladies," she said.

Rocco barked.

The Cuban-American looked at him. "And Rocco."

Normani chuckled and opened the door.

"Your dog is too smart for his own good, Mani," Camila said as she and Lauren got out of the car.

"Well, I raised him. What do you expect?" the brunette shrugged, getting her dog out of the car and grabbing his leash.

"Let's get rid of that big ego, yeah?" Lauren laughed.

Normani just shrugged as the four walked into PetSmart. The bell at the top of the door rang and one of the employees looked at the four.

"Normani?" she asked. "Normani Powers?"

The brunette looked at the woman and smiled. "That's my name," she said.

"You don't remember me, do you?" the curly haired girl sighed.

"Am I...supposed to?" Normani asked.

"This is awkward," Lauren whispered, "give me the dog."

The younger girl handed her friend the dog and she and Camila walked off.

"It's me," the blonde haired girl said, "Tori."

Normani furrowed her eyebrows. "Kelly?"

"Yes," Tori nodded, "I'm glad you remember."

The brunette smiled. "How've you been?"

"I've been great. How are you and Keith?" The shorter girl asked.

She didn't know.

"You don't know?" Normani asked.

"Know what?" Tori asked.

"Keith died three years ago."

"He did?"

The taller girl nodded.

"How?"

"He was shot," Normani said, "honestly, I feel like you're the only person in California that doesn't know."

"Who was he shot by?" Tori asked.

The door opened and in walked a man. He and Normani made eye contact. The guy winked at her and continued walking.

"You've got my number, right? It never changed," the brunette said.

Tori nodded.

"Text me," Normani said, "I've gotta go."

The taller girl ran off and found her friends and dog.

"We've got to go," she said.

"Why?" Lauren asked as Camila played with a St. Bernard and Lab mix.

"A–"

"Hello, Normani," a voice that all three of them hated said from behind them.

They turned around and Lauren narrowed her eyes at the man.

"I thought you were in jail," she said.

"And I thought you didn't smoke weed. We were both wrong."

Rocco barked at the man.

"Hush," Normani said and the dog did as told.

"Why are you near us?" Camila asked, giving the dog back to a worker.

"How have you been, Normani?"

"Fine."

"Oh, that's great. I was just coming to pick up some things—"

"For the dog you don't have?" Normani raised an eyebrow.

"Of course," Arin smiled.

"Are you stalking me, Arin Ray?"

"Let's hope not."

Arin smiled. "Dinah Jane," he said, not even having to turn around to recognize the voice.

"Dinah?"

"Arin," Dinah placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "I suggest you leave before we both do something we regret."

Arin looked at Dinah. Their glares met each other head on until Arin finally gave up.

"Right," he said before walking away.

Dinah gave Normani a 'for real?' look.

"Mani, let's go." Camila said.

Normani looked at nodded, still looking at Dinah. "Yeah. Let's go."

The four began walking away.

"Stay away from him, Normani." Dinah said.

"She's right." Camila said.

Normani shook her head and sighed. "I can't believe they let him go."

-

A/N: do you guys want more info on Arin, Keith, and Normani's past relationship in this book?