I shook my head. “It wasn’t like that. We used to be friends in high school. That’s it.”
“Really? Well, if you were interested, you two would make a cute couple. Those would be some pretty babies.”
“You can have him if you want him.”
She laughed. “Girl, don’t tell me that. It’s been a minute, and once I put this cat in his lap, it’s a wrap.”
We shared a laugh. Londyn was a mess. The more I got to know her, the more she reminded me of my girls back in the pen. The server brought our orders out shortly after, and that burger looked heavenly. It was so juicy with just the right amount of everything on it. The fries were crispy, and the milkshake was smooth and creamy. Tasting everything was like an explosion of flavors in my mouth.
“Oh my God…” I moaned my satisfaction.
“It’s good, right?” Londyn asked.
“It’s heavenly.”
“That itis is gonna kick in, and I’m not gonna be good for shit.”
“Me either.”
“So, Alayah, I feel like I’ve told you all about me, but you’re still a mystery, babe. This friendship can’t be one-sided.”
I swallowed my food and wiped my mouth. “I’m sorry. I like you, Londyn. You seem like good people. I just… Trust is a hard thing for me right now.”
“Why?”
I contemplated telling her the truth. I wasn’t sure how she was going to react. When you told people you spent ten years in prison for murder, you’d expect them to avoid you like the plague. I didn’t want that to be my life from here on out.
Before I could respond, a shadow appeared over me, causing me to look up. Glaring down at me was Mrs. West with a phone in her hand. She snapped my picture with the bright-ass flash on.
“It must be nice to be able to go out and have a regular meal like regular people,” she said nastily. “Too bad my son will never be able to enjoy this again.”
“Mrs. West, now isn’t the place or the time.”
“Oh, it’s the perfect time, you murderous little bitch.” She started getting loud, garnering the attention of the people in the restaurant. “Hey, everybody, isn’t it crazy that my son is in the grave while his murderer is sitting here eating a fucking cheeseburger? She gets to walk around free while he rots in the ground.”
Londyn sprang from her seat. “Lady, you need to walk the fuck away.”
“Bitch, don’t speak to me,” Mrs. West snapped. “Your friend is a cold-blooded murderer. She killed my son—stabbed him beyond recognition, then sullied his name with lies.”
“I didn’t lie,” I said, springing to my feet. “Your son was a despicable, sorry excuse for a man. I guarantee I wasn’t his first victim, but I will be his last.”
She slapped me so hard my head snapped back.
“You lying whore,” she screamed, trying to come at me. Londyn stepped in between us, clocking Mrs. West in the nose in the process. A few of the servers grabbed Mrs. West and carried her out of the establishment. Londyn turned back to me.
“You’re bleeding,” she said, grabbing a napkin to dab my lip.
I hadn’t even felt the blood trickling from it. Grabbing the napkin from her, I sprinted to the bathroom with tears in my eyes. I knew this day would come; I just didn’t think it would be so embarrassing. I stayed in the bathroom until Londyn came knocking on the door.
“Alayah? Honey, open the door.”
I took a few deep breaths and wiped my face before finally opening the door. She stood there with a sympathetic look along with my purse and a bag of food in her hand.
“Come on, boo.”
She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the bathroom. Instead of going out the front, we went out the side door and made our way to her truck. We got in in silence and drove back in silence. She didn’t say anything until we were settled in the parking lot.
“You wanna talk about it?” she asked softly.
