Genji was walking past the dealership when he spotted Marcus coming out of the showroom, keys dangling from his hand and a satisfied grin on his face.

  "Yo, Mark!" Genji called out.

  Marcus turned, his grin widening. "Genji! What's good, man?" They csped hands, pulled into a quick bro-hug.

  "I'm good, I'm good. What, you just cop something new?"

  "Yeah, man." Marcus nodded toward the lot where a sleek silver coupe sat gleaming in the sun. "Finally pulled the trigger. Been looking at that one for a minute."

  "Nice, nice." Genji gnced at the car, then back at his friend. "You always did have good taste."

  "Family business is doing well, you know how it is." Marcus shrugged, but there was pride in his voice. The Muffin empire wasn't as old as the Gingersnap money, but it was solid. Real. "What about you? You good?"

  Genji's jaw tightened slightly. "Yeah, man. You know me. Always good."

  Marcus gave him a look - the one that said he could smell bullshit from a mile away. "Uh-huh. So what's really going on?"

  "Nothing, just—" Genji stopped, ran a hand over his face. "Man, you remember that girl I told you about? The one with all the kids?"

  "Shelley Old Woman who Lives at the Shoe?" Marcus's eyebrows went up. "Yeah, what about her?"

  "She's pregnant again."

  "Okay..."

  "She says it might be mine."

  Marcus was quiet for a beat, studying him. "Might be?"

  "Yeah. *Might* be. She's got like twelve kids already, man. Twelve different dudes, probably. And now she's coming at *me* like I'm the problem?"

  "Did you wrap it up?"

  Genji looked away. "She asked me not to."

  "Genji—"

  "I know, I know. But come on, man. You know how it is."

  Marcus shook his head slowly. "Nah, bro. I *don't* know how it is. You hit it raw with a girl who's already got twelve kids, and now you're surprised she's pregnant? Come on, man."

  "It's probably not even mine—"

  "Then take the test." Marcus said it simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Test comes back negative? You're clear. Walk away clean. But this running-and-hiding shit? That's weak, bro."

  Genji bristled. "I'm not running—"

  "You literally told me two minutes ago you're trying to figure out how to avoid her. That's running." Marcus's tone wasn't harsh, just matter-of-fact. "Look, I'm not trying to lecture you. Do what you want. But you're better than this, man. Just handle your business."

  Before Genji could respond, a woman walked past them toward the dealership entrance - curves in all the right pces, designer bag, the kind of walk that said she knew exactly what she was doing. She slowed as she passed Marcus, her eyes lingering.

  "Hi," she said, her voice smooth as honey. She stopped, turned fully toward him. "I saw you coming out with those keys. Nice choice." Her smile was an invitation.

  Marcus met her eyes, his expression appreciating but measured. He gnced at Genji, then back at her. "Thanks. I appreciate that." He smiled - friendly but not flirty. "But I actually got someone I need to talk to right now." He nodded toward Genji.

  The woman's smile faltered just slightly, but she recovered with grace. "Maybe another time then."

  "Maybe," Marcus said, noncommittal.

  She walked off, and Genji watched her go, then looked at his friend with disbelief. "Bro. She was *fine.*"

  "Yeah, she was." Marcus jingled his keys. "But I'm not trying to add to my problems, you know? I already got enough going on without complicating shit."

  The implication hung in the air between them.

  Genji huffed out a ugh, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. I get it. You made your point."

  "I'm just saying, man." Marcus cpped him on the shoulder. "Handle your business. Take the test. Whatever happens after that, at least you'll know."

  "Yeah. Maybe." Genji didn't sound convinced.

  Marcus gave him one more look - the kind that said *I know you won't listen, but I said what I said* - then headed toward his new car. "I gotta run, but hit me up ter. We'll grab drinks or something."

  "Yeah, for sure."

  Genji watched his friend drive off, the advice still ringing in his ears. *Take the test. Handle your business.*

  He pulled out his phone, saw three missed calls from a number he didn't recognize.

  He put the phone back in his pocket and kept walking.