“I got trust issues. My ex was an amazing man at first, and?—”
“No, he wasn’t. You just couldn’t see or chose to ignore the red flags because he was fine and could fuck.”
“Oop!” Kindra blurted out.
“Okay. Maybe I was a little blinded by his looks and his dick, but Victor was also very charming and charismatic.”
“Most narcissists are until they get you right where they want you,” Naomi said.
“Ugh. He was one of them? I’m so sorry, girl. My ex before DJ was borderline and whew . . . dating DJ was a breath of fresh air.”
“I agreed to go to dinner with him as friends. I can already tell he had high hopes, but that’s all I have to offer.”
“I understand, and I’d never try to pressure you into something you’re not ready for. I wish my in-laws weren’t at a funeral. Once you meet them, you’d know Graham ain’t on bullshit. I commend them on how they raised their sons, and Papa Diggs set a dope ass example on how to love your wife. Mama Diggs was living a soft life well before that term was coined. She could be a poster girl.”
“Shit, do they have another brother?” Naomi asked.
“Unfortunately, no. They do have a few male cousins, but they are either married or some trash ass niggas.”
“Damn. That’s just my luck. Sis, if you don’t want Graham, I’ll take him.”
I knew she was joking, but I still became very annoyed, considering my former best friends had slept with Victor. I didn’t verbally respond, but my expression must have said it all.
“My bad, Sis. I’m just kidding. You must like him a tiny bit because if looks could kill, you’d be an only child.”
“I never said I didn’t like him. The man is beautiful, gives off big dick energy, has his shit together, and gets along with my son and my dog.”
“Hold up. Que likes him?”
“Tuh. Girl, Que loves him and has since the day we met. Kindra, Que is my German shepherd. I bought him for protection when I left my ex two years ago. Whatever people say about German shepherds being protective, loyal, and wary of strangers is true. If he don’t know you, he don’t fuck with you, at all. Graham came along, and they were damn near best friends after their first encounter.”
“Interesting,” Kindra said.
“Why?” I asked.
“I’m not trying to compare my husband and brother-in-law to a dog, but DJ and Graham were raised to be protective and loyal. They’ve always kept their circles small because of theirstrong discernment. Mama Diggs always says, ‘Everyone ain’t worthy of being in your world. Listen to your gut, and it’ll tell you everything you need to know.’ You don’t trust your gut because of your past decisions, so your dog is doing the work for you, and he approves. That should say a lot about Graham.”
“It sure as hell should. That damn dog still don’t fuck with me and Mama, and we’re family.”
“He likes y’all. He just knows y’all don’t like him, so he gives you space and grace.”
We laughed at my comment, but it was true.
“Y’all are too funny. Is it selfish to hope things work out between you and Graham so we can be friends?”
“We can be friends either way, but yeah, that’s kinda selfish.”
We shared another laugh just before the pizza arrived, and Kindra began preparing the room for the kids to come and eat. Naomi and I helped her get things in order, and we continued our conversation while doing so.
“You know, Graham calls you his future wife,” Kindra shared.
“What do you mean?”
“He refers to you as his future wife,” she clarified.
“Is that why you said that the day we met?”
“It is. When you told me you were his neighbor, it clicked because he’s been talking about you. Right away, I could see why he was so taken with you, because you’re absolutely gorgeous. I tried to play matchmaker and had two dates lined up for him. Girl, after I met you, I canceled those dates so damn quick.”
