“I’m home,” I say into my watch. Then press send.
“Are you doing voice to text?” Fran stares at me confused.
Uh-oh. I nod as nonchalantly as possible, but her brow furrows. Fran knows I’d rather type up a text any day than talk into my phone or smartwatch.
“Why didn’t you just text? It’s two words.”
“Maybe I don’t want to.”
“Or maybe you’re leaving avoicetext because the person on the other end wants to hear the sound of your voice.” Fran smirks.
Evade,evade!“Can I come inside now? I’m tired and want to go to bed.”
She slides to her left, letting me pass. Instead of the door closing behind her retreating form, she follows me. Ugh. I donotwant to do this right now.
“Go out, Fran. My arrival shouldn’t impede your fun plans.” I glance at her outfit. “Sleepover?”
She snorts. “Please. My friends aren’t talking to me.”
“Since when?” I raise my brows. “And why not?”
“Never mind that.” She waves a hand in the air. “Who areyoutalking to? Because you’re giving off boyfriend vibes.”
I laugh. “Nope. Guess again.”
“Really?” Confusion fills her brown eyes. “You don’t have a boyfriend?”
I meet her gaze. “I really don’t.” Not that I didn’t feel a spark of awareness when Jabari stopped crying earlier. For a moment, before he pulled completely out of my embrace, my middle warmed, and I’m pretty sure there was a fluttering of butterflies.Butterflies!Then he severed our connection, and I convinced myself it had been all in my head.
Definitely all in your head. You don’t fall foryour sister’s ex-boyfriend.
I set my purse on my nightstand and change out of my clothes and into pajamas.
“You were at a friend’s house?”
I nod.
“Really? A friend’s and not Jackie’s?”
“I do have other friends besides you and Jackie.”
“We’re counting Ollie as a friend now?”
Ouch, but not wrong. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
“Definitely, but I’m more interested in where you were than heading to my location.”
“Fine.” I fold my arms to match her stance. “I’ll tell you if you tell me where you’re headed.”
Color leaches out her face, and I feel a sliver of victory. This conversation is done. I maintain a neutral expression despite the smugness rising up inside.
“I was going to talk to Derrick.”
Her ex? “Why?” And why did she tell me? I’ll look like I’m reneging if I don’t share now.
“Nuh-uh. Your turn. Where were you?”
I swallow. “Jabari’s house.”
