“You’re welcome.”
By the time I made it to my front yard, Naryah was on her porch waiting for Keelan and Que. Once they went inside, I did the same, and for the rest of the evening, Naryah’s abrupt departure was on my mind.
Before I went to bed, I decided to call my brother to get his take on the situation. It had been years since I’d asked him for relationship advice because I’d given up trying to balance one with my job after a few failed attempts.
“What, nigga?”
“Damn. That’s no way to greet your favorite brother.”
“You’re my only brother. What the fuck do you want? I was about to get some pussy.”
“Oh, my bad. I’ll make this quick. Naryah?—”
“Who?”
“My future wife.”
“Oh, yeah. What about her?”
I gave him the condensed version of the evening’s events without interruption.
“She’s been hurt, so she’s running.”
“I know, but how do I get her to let her guard down?”
“Be you, Bro, and keep showing up for her. Kindra’s calling me. I gotta go.”
“Wait—hello?”
“The man is fine,Sis. I’m talking drop-dead gorgeous.”
“I don’t see what the problem is,” Naomi responded.
We’d just arrived atArcade Universe,and Keelan walked a few feet ahead of us as we looked for the room reserved for Trey’s party.
“That’s the problem. Fine niggas bring drama, and you know that’s the last thing I need.”
“Not always, but Victor has tainted your perception.”
“Nay, I told him I wasn’t interested in dating and why, and that nigga told me he didn’t give a fuck about nothing I said.”
“Damn. And you didn’t immediately sit on his face?”
“Oh my God, Sis. If Keelan hadn’t been there, we would’ve christened his patio furniture.”
She high-fived me as we laughed.
“What about the kiss?”
“What about it? He only did that to piss Victor off.”
“You think so?”
“I’m pretty sure.”
“Y’all didn’t talk about it?”
“I pretended like it never happened, even though it’s been several days, and I swear I can still feel his lips on mine.”
