I snort. “Except for when you asked the waitress if they had Southern food at the Florida Avenue Grillknowingthat’s exactly what they serve.”
“Hey, she laughed.”
“Out of pity.”
“Ouch.” But his corresponding laughter tells me he isn’t upset. “What are you up to now?”
“Waiting on a food delivery and avoiding my sister.”
“Which one?”
“Fran. We live together.”
“What did she do?”
I slip a throw pillow underneath my head so I’m more angled. “She’s setting me up on another blind date.”
“You’re going on another one?”
What’s that tone? Is he remembering our own? “Maybe?”
“Val, was that a question?”
“I told her I was open to it, but only because she gave me puppy dog eyes. She knows that’s my kryptonite.”
“Do you always do what your sisters want?”
I rub my chest again. Why does that question feel like a dart right to the heart? “Maybe?” I answer more subdued.
“And when do you get to do what you want?”
“When I hang out with you.” I blink, surprised by how right the answer is.
“I’m glad.” Jabari clears his throat. “Would you be interested in meeting my mom? She flies in tomorrow, and I was thinking of having you over for dinner on Saturday.”
My face heats. Why does he ask me things I wish could happen but can automatically count issues with? My mind considers the potential ramifications.
“Val?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t want you to treat me like you would your family. I don’t want you to say yes to something if you really want to say no. But I’d also ask you to consider taking a risk if you really want to say yes but believe you should say no.”
He’s right. I’ve been trying to figure out what’s been missing in my life. How I’ve gotten stuck in the ... well,nothing.Maybe being true to myself is the first step. Maybe I should do something Iactuallywant to do. Right now, that means being there for Jabari when his mom arrives. Not because he’s asking but because I genuinely care to see how they both navigate his new circumstances.
“I’d love to come.”
“Yeah?” Though the question is laced in caution, I hear the hope in his voice too.
“Yes.” My heart flutters, but I don’t give heed to the little palpitation. “Thank you for thinking of me.”
“Always. I think you’re edging out Raimo and Javier in the best friend spot.”
I laugh just as the door chimes. “Hey, I think my dinner has arrived.”
“Talk later?”
“Yes, it’s better than voice texts in my opinion.”
