“That’s my boy,” Pops said with a grin. “I want you to have what we have forever, and I have faith it’ll happen. Even more so now, and with her. But you do what you feel is right, and we’ll support you either way.”
“Yes, and definitely prepare to have her come over for dinner next week,” Mama decided, and I could only hope Zoe would be okay with that. If she wasn’t, there was no doubt in my mind Mama would pull up to the diner and wait to see her there.
13
Zoe
When someone gasped and whispered if I was Zoe, my eyes closed. I only knew a few people in Jasper Lane, and all of them were tied to Zina. Only one was my old best friend from college, Jessica.
“Zoe?” I turned, and my eyes watered immediately at the sight of Monica, Zina’s friend. “Oh my God. It’s really you.”
I thought it would be awkward to see anyone from the past, but seeing her was a pleasant surprise. I immediately stepped into her waiting embrace.
“It’s so good to see you, Monica.”
“You too! You look just like your sister. Oh my God. Y’all have different eyes but damn. Look at you.”
She held me tighter, and I laughed and pushed back my tears. When she finally released me, she stared at me with tears in her eyes. I let her get her fill, because I knew seeing me was going to feel like seeing Zina for a lot of people.
“How have you been?” I asked as we stepped off to the side to avoid blocking the exit door.
I’d stopped by the mall to do a little shopping. As good as things had been at Grounds and with Haji, thinking about baking had been heavy on my mind and heart. When we talked about our passions, I didn’t have any. Life wasn’t set up for me to have any. All I was focused on was working and surviving. Now, it seemed like I had the space to do what I loved again, and I was nervous yet excited to see what it would lead to.
“I’ve been good. How about you? It’s been forever.”
“Same,” I settled on. She didn’t need to know I’d been drowning myself in work and a man I had no business being with. “Did you and Westin end up getting married?”
“We did actually,” she confirmed, lifting her hand so I could see her ring. “We had three children too.”
“Congratulations, Monica. That’s amazing.”
“Thank you! How about you? I don’t see a ring. Did you have any children?”
“Not yet. I don’t see myself having any. Not any time soon.”
“Aww, well if that’s what’s best for you, more power to you.”
We shared a soft laugh as I nodded. Hell, I felt like I’d stopped living. I needed to stop existing and live again before I considered getting married and especially before I considered having babies.
“Have you kept in touch with Jessica?” Monica continued, giving my arm a gentle squeeze.
“I haven’t. You?”
“We go to the same stylist, so I see her sometimes. She’s married, and they had their first son about six months ago. He’s such a cutie pie. You should reach out to her while you’re here.”
“That’s so great. Who did she marry? Anyone from back in the day?”
“Hmm, I think you may know him. If I’m not mistaken, she said they met in college. His name is Nathan.”
Clutching my heart, I swooned. “Yes. I know Nathan. He was always so good to and for her.”
“Bae, you good?”
We both looked back at the sound of a man’s voice. When Westin noticed me, his mouth dropped.
“Zoe?” I nodded as he made his way over to us. “Damn, girl. I feel like I’m looking at a ghost. Wassup with you?”
I laughed as he picked me up and gave me a tight hug.
