Laughter echoes around the room because Jandra and I already know the answer to the statement Paula didn’t finish.
“You better not let your fiancé hear that you’re still reminiscing about the one-night stand he didn’t know happened during your little break.” Jandra smirks.
“I know. It’s worse since it was with someone I had no business going there with in the first place.” Paula hangs her head before silence bounces off the walls.
Paula and her fiancé, Jasper, were on a brief break, and during that time, Paula's heartbreak dictated everything except her common sense. The man that should have been a one-night stand turned out to be her man’s first cousin visiting from out of town. Paula only learned of their connection after seeing a post of the two men on social media.
“It’s okay. Nobody but Jandra, me, and you know what happened that night. We’ve already sworn to take it to our graves, so you’re good,” I say.
The situation is complicated, but the last thing I can do is judge my friend, especially after my recent revelation.
“That man knows, too, but thankfully, he wants to forget the whole thing, so I’m good. But let’s change the subject. Are we going out or continuing this party here?” Paula asks.
Before I can respond, my phone chimes with an incoming message, which increases my heart rate without me seeing who it is. With Jandra and Paula here with me, there are only two people who it can be, because Aunt Emmy is not tech-savvy enough to text. I inhale and blow out the air in my lungs while praying it’s not Rosetta, because I don’t have the mental capacity to deal with her foolishness today. Picking up my phone, a wide, cheesy smile forms upon seeing Zakai’s name on my screen.
“Hm. From that girly grin, I guess you’re not the only one dealing with withdrawals,” Jandra says.
I don’t reply as my fingers trip over themselves to open the text from Zakai.
Zakai:
Is it bad that my chest feels lonely without you?
For a second, all I can do is smile like a fool as the memory of me lying on top of Zakai surfaces like a warm hug. My fingers glide over the keyboard as I type a response once longing settles within me.
Me:
Whenever you want to run it back, please let me know. I wouldn’t want to cause you any discomfort. I’m also willing to become your chest’s temporary resident.
Zakai:
When.
A giggle slips from my mouth at reading Zakai’s single-word reply because I didn’t expect it. Warmth stretches across my chest, and my stomach quivers from the swarm of butterflies dancing within me.
“From that giggle, I’m thinking that we’re on our own tonight, girl,” Jandra says, and my eyes momentarily leave my phone to see her and Paula staring at me.
“I’m sorry. It’s Zakai, and I need to get this.”
“You don’t have to apologize. That man has your nose wide open, and I love that for you. Seeing you pick yourself up and getting back out there makes me happy,” Jandra adds, and Paula nods before she speaks.
“I know I was giving you a hard time a second ago, but there is absolutely no reason for you not to let that man take you on a journey.”
“Is it too soon though?” I ask.
“Hell no. You don’t have to slow your life down because that man played with you. You aren’t his wife and shouldn’t have to sulk around like you did something wrong,” Jandra utters with zero hesitation, and my chest tightens.
“I’ve already agreed to being his woman, so it would be crazy to change my mind after letting him slut me out last night.” I smirk.
“Uh, yeah. Besides, I don’t think that man is gonna let you push him off or backpedal,” Paula says, and another chime rings from my phone with a new message from Zakai.
Zakai:
Damn. Read but no reply. Does that mean you have to think that hard about securing my heartbeat returning to its normal rhythm?
“Y’all got this man jumping to conclusions since I haven’t answered his last message,” I tell my friends who laugh nonchalantly.
“Humph. You better let that man make you happy, bestie,” Jandra says.
