I snort then toed the rubbish bin close in case he wants to throw up. “He wouldn’t wake up.”
Za nods seriously. “True. Let’s just let him rest. Or, whatever this is he’s doing.”
We tiptoe out of the living room, laughing quietly. Once we’re in my room, I kick my shoes off in no particular direction, and flop onto the bed.
Zaza drops beside me, still fully dressed.
For a second, we just lie there, staring up at the ceiling, catching our breath.
“Your taste in men is questionable,” she says eventually. I think of the shit show both of my previous hook ups put me through tonight and sigh.
“Fairs.”
Zaza rolls onto her side to face me.
“You good?” she asks.
I hesitate. That alone answers the question.
She sighs and props herself up on her elbow. “Okay. Try again. What’s going on in that big head of yours?”
I stare at the ceiling. “Nothing.”
“Frankie...”
I exhale. “Benny was just being a dick.”
Her jaw tightens instantly. “I know.”
“He didn’t have to do all that,” I continue. “The comments. The way he spoke to me like I was stupid.”
She sits up fully now. “Ugh! I wanted to pour my drink on him.”
“I could tell,” I mumble.
“I should’ve,” she says.
“You didn’t have to,” I say quietly.
“Yes, I did,” she replies without missing a beat. “You’re my person.”
Wow.
I turn onto my side to face her.
“I don’t care who you date,” she continues, softer now. “I don’t care who you sleep with. I don’t care if they’re boring or loud or rich or broke or bald or wear ugly shoes.”
That earns a weak laugh out of me.
“I care about one thing,” she says. “Do they respect you? And do they make you happy?”
I blink hard.
“Because if they don’t,” she adds, “then they don’t get access to you anymore. Full stop. You deserve someone who chooses you properly. Not halfway. Not when it’s convenient. Not when they’re bored or lonely or think you can’t do better.”
I nod, staring at the duvet between us. My fingers twist into the fabric. My heart starts racing, and suddenly I’m very aware of the fact that Jabari is asleep on our couch.
I open my mouth.
