“Girl, bye, don’t lie. This size 14ain’t it,” Courtney replied insecurely as she pulled on her shirt.
“No, sis. I promise. I’m not blowing smoke. Motherhood suits you. Hair long, nails long, skin dewy, you look amazing,” Ellie insisted.“How’s James?”
“Girl, let’s not even go there. I just want to enjoy my time out the house and catch up with my girls,” Courtney stated.
“Enough said,” Ellie stated.“Y’all go ahead and find a booth. Cassidy already told me we don’t have to work. So, grab a seat. I’ma head to the little girls’ room and be right back. Order me another lychee because I got to tell y’all about this lying-ass nigga I just met,” Ellie said.
“I’m going to walk around for a bit. Go live and show everyone what’s going on, bring some attention to the cause, and try to get some more people down here. Where Cass? Does he have a Cash App set up for this event? I can get some online donors, too,” Shy stated.
“I’llgo find him. I kind of owe him an apology,” Sloan stated.
Ellie paused.“Apology for what?”
Sloan shook her head.“Nothing, girl. I just put my foot in my mouth yesterday about him finally getting out of prison, and I just want to make sure we’re good.”
“Well, he’s out back with the girls,” Ellie said, pointing to the rear exit sign.“Meet us at the table when you’re done.”
Ellie hurried to the bathroom and then joined Courtney at the booth.
“Let meseeeee himmm, Court,” she cooed as she reached for baby Christian.“Oh, my goodness. He’s so precious.”
Courtney gave a flat smile, but Ellie didn’t miss that it didn’t reach her eyes.
“You feeling okay? No postpartum or anything?” Ellie asked.
“I feel fine,” Courtney answered.“Exhausted, of course. He isn’t sleeping through the night yet, but that’s normal.”
“I think they’re giving away formula and diapers. You want to grab some?” Ellie asked.
“I don’t need a handout, Ellie,” Courtney stated firmly. Her tone made Ellie look up from her adorable nephew.
“I didn’t say you did, Court. It’s free shit. You have a newborn baby. You better take some of this shit home,” Ellie teased.
“We’re good,” Courtney insisted.
“Okay,” Ellie replied. Ellie knew not to press the issue, but Courtney’s defensiveness was a red flag that things were, indeed, not good. She texted Sloan and told her to get in line to get the items for Courtney anyway. Even if they had to sneak the items into Courtney’s backseat, Ellie was determined to make sure her friend went home fully stocked. She knew Courtney well enough to know that something was wrong, and until she felt comfortable advocating for herself, Ellie would make sure she kept a close eye on her friend.
“Auntie Sloan!” Tessa shouted.
“Hey, niece!” Sloan greeted picking her up.“Hey, big girl,” she extended to Brooklyn.
“Hey, Auntie,” Brooklyn greeted with a hug.“We’re about to ice skate. You want to come?”
“Ummm, I prefer my skates to have wheels,” Sloan said, skeptically.“How about your uncle, Cass, and I go get y’all some hot chocolate and watch from the sidelines.”
Brooklyn snickered.“Deal,” she said.“Extra chocolate syrup and marshmallows in mine, please,” Brooklyn added.
“Extra hot in mine!” Tessa shouted after them.
“Got it,” Sloan promised, laughing at Tessa’s request. She turned to Cassidy, who hadn’t spoken at all.“How about it? Walk with me?”
He scratched the top of his head and nodded.“Yeah, a’ight.”
“You don’t have to sound so miserable about it,” she joked.
They strolled through the sea of people as an awkward energy settled between them.“Look, I’m sorry for how I came at you last night,” Sloan said.
“You said how you feel.Ain’t no apology needed for that,” Cassidy stated.
