“You totally were cheesing,” Kate chimes in.
“You’ve been walking on cloud nine for the last month,” he states.
“I have no clue what you mean.”
“Maverick must have BDE,” Jamal remarks, waggling perfectly arched eyebrows.
“Jamal!” I chide but can’t help laughing too.
Subtlety isn’t his middle name, that’s for sure.
“BDE?” Lucy asks, thoroughly lost.
“Oh, sweety.” Jamal tsks, shaking his head.
“Big dick energy,” Kate answers.
“Oh,” she says, mouth hanging open.
“How big is his dick, exactly?” Jamal asks, peering at me expectantly.
“None of your beeswax,” I say in a singsong voice.
“Bitch.” He sucks his teeth, swinging his bag of purchases at me.
I promptly evade the attack and give him the finger.
“How does sex feel?” Lucy asks, ducking her head shyly.
“The Virgin Mary must be planning on giving it up soon,” Jamal teases. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
Lucy’s face turns beet red and we laugh at her. She’s too damn innocent.
“Jamal, cut it out before poor Lucy dies of embarrassment,” Kate quips, whacking him on the arm.
“There’s no straightforward answer, honestly. It depends on the circumstances,” I inform Lucy. “Don’t be in a rush to have sex. Take your time and choose wisely. I lost my virginity at fifteen. It was a disaster and lasted all of two minutes, tops.”
“Preach.” Kate lifts her palms heavenward. “Cocoa dropping some knowledge on you, honey.”
“Thanks for the advice.”
“No problem, babe.” I bump my hip against hers. “Us girls have to stick together.”
“I’m starving,” Jamal announces, patting his flat belly. “I need food ASAP.”
“I have to stop at one more store, you guys go ahead,” I say.
“Y’all down for hibachi?” he asks.
“I could always eat some sushi.” Kate licks her lips.
“Doesn’t matter to me,” Lucy adds.
“Order me the shrimp teriyaki. Be there in fifteen.”
I bought my mom a bracelet three years ago, and every Christmas I buy her a new charm for it. I’ve been eyeing the perfect addition for a while. Ten minutes later, my transaction is complete and I’m scurrying to the food court.
“What’s up?” Jake greets me, falling in step beside me.
