“This is between me and my brother, okay? I don’t want you involved with him at all.”
Damn it. She saw right through me.
Well, I see through her also.
I scoff. “You really think he’s gonna lure me in somehow.”
Her tone softens, almost pleading. “You laugh, but I’ve seen him do it before. It’s sneaky and slow at first, then next thing you know, you’re caught up. It always happens. But you’re different from all the other people because you’re all I’ve got. You’re my only real friend who never tried to use me to get to him, or chose him over me like my parents do. You don’t understand, Frankie.”
My defense stills a little.
What she doesn’t know is, I do understand. I’m very aware of Jabari’s allure and the charm that comes with it. I’ve been aware of that charm for the majority of my childhood and not once did it ever get in the way of Chinaza and the way I feel about our friendship.
The girl had a charm of her own.
I reach across the table and touch her hand lightly. “I’m not interested in him, Za. You’re my girl. He’s your brother. It would be weird as hell. So you can stop worrying.”
Zaza exhales, finally unclenching. “Good. Because if you even think about it?—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” I warn with a fake gag. “It ain’t happening.”
Our food arrives then, and before I could so much as stab my salad, the waiter leans in.
“Benny wants to see you.”
“Christ,” I groan, dropping my fork. “Can I at least taste the damn food?”
Zaza smirks, already reaching for the chips. “You’d better go before he brings his bald arse out here.”
“Ugh.” I roll my eyes before getting up and grabbing my pint for the journey. Might as well keep hydrated.
I weave through the bar, slipping past as the bartenders greet me and push into the kitchen. The smell of grease and onions clings heavily in the air. Past the clanging pans, Benny’s office door is cracked open, a golden strip of light spilling out.
I knock once before nudging it open. “Benny baby, you could’ve at least let me taste the food.”
He looks up from his desk with a grin.
“Food’ll still be there,” he says. “But I needed you now.”
“Mm.” I step inside, shutting the door behind me. “That sounds like I’m in trouble.”
Benny’s eyes drag over me like they’ve done a hundred times before.
Oh Benny. Benny, Benny, Benny.
Divorced, owns a bar, two years of casual, no-strings hooking up, wrapped in an awkward friendship. These are words I’d use to describe Benjamin. Because outside of that, I don’t know much about him. Well, I don’t know much about any of the men I rotate.
“What’s so urgent this time?” I tease, setting my pint down on the edge of his desk.
Benny leans back in his chair. “You left my place so quickly last week, I thought you wouldn’t come in anymore.”
I sigh, dropping into the chair across from him and stretching my legs out. “I had work.”
He arches a brow. “You own the company, Francine.”
“Co-own,” I correct, rolling my eyes.
“Tuh.” He waves me off like the word makes any difference. “I know you better than that, Francine.”
