“Hey, girl,” she said, fake as always. “I’m just shocked to seeyoudown here. I thought the people on the hill only breathed imported air.”
“You want some? Heard it’s good for the skin—might repair damage from makeup overuse,” Taniyah said breezily.
My girl was still so shady, and I was here for it.
Shayla ignored her comment. “Niyah, you really sitting withher? ‘Ms. Grindley Who Stole Christmas?’ Your babies love the lights more than anybody. You okay with her turning the town dark?”
“First of all, don’t bring my children into this. Second, my friend is paying for my shrimp today, so fuck them lights.”
A few people snickered. Shayla’s lips thinned.
“I’m just saying, some of us remember when this town poured into you. We tried to make you feel included. Then, you come back and close that fancy gate on your friends. That’s wild.”
I felt my jaw tighten. I picked up my water, set it back down.
“Shayla,” I began, “I’m going to say this very clearly so we don’t have to do it again.”
She raised a brow.
“You and I are not friends. We weren’t friends then; we’re not friends now. You don’t get to come to my table and try to shame the one person who’s had my back since before I could drive, because you mad you can’t take selfies in front ofmypine trees.”
Somebody at the next table choked back laughter. Taniyah covered her mouth, eyes bright with amusement.
Shayla sucked her teeth. “I know?—”
I held up a hand, stopping her. “If you have an issue with me, bring it to me. Don’t stand overherlike she broke Christmas. Out here moving like a coward.”
“Coward?” she repeated, eyes flashing.
“I’m using the polite word,” I told her sweetly.
We stared at each other. The whole room leaned in.
“Y’all remember this energy when she drags the town to court. Don’t say nobody warned you,” Shayla snapped, finally breaking eye contact.
Taniyah snorted. “Girl, if I end up in court, it’ll be ’cause I finally snatched that wig. Now move. You blocking my food.”
Darnita spoke up from the table where she was taking an order. “Shayla, get your plate and go. You messing up my service.”
“Just ’cause they playing nice don’t mean I will,” she hissed.
I laughed softly. “Don’t think I will, either.”
She stomped off. I sagged back against the booth.
“You good?” Taniyah asked.
“I’m… something,” I said. The humiliation burned, but having someone stand on my side out loud helped more than I wanted to admit.
She reached across the table and squeezed my hands. “She got you fucked up if she thinks I’m about to pick the town over you. I remember who held my hair when I was throwing up off that cheap tequila. Loyalty been paid for.”
“You threw up on my favorite slippers,” I reminded her.
“And you still let me stay. Soft ass,” she said, smirking.
I shook my head. We chatted our way through lunch, falling back into our old, easy rhythm as if no time had passed. I had missed Taniyah and she, apparently, had missed me.
“Kyleigh?”
