Suddenly, Amanda stood up and walked over to Frank. She laced her fingers with his before she leaned up and kissed him. My mouth flew open as I stared at my best friend and ex-father-in-law. I did not know that they were having a relationship.
Breaking their kiss, Amanda turned around to face me and Mya, who had stood up from her chair and was next to me.
“This just happened. Frank and I got close after that big family dinner we had last summer. It was platonic at first, but then one thing led to another, and here we are. However, with you marrying Lawrence, I originally decided that what we did would only be for fun. I didn't want to pursue anything with Frank. I thought it would be weird, especially because I didn't want you calling me stepmom.”
We all burst into laughter.
“Girl, you should have told me!” Mya said. “Look at you, got yourself a sugar daddy!”
My mom snorted out a laugh at the same time as me. “Mya, girl, hush.” I giggled. “But seriously, Amanda, you definitely could have talked to me. Hell, you knew that Lawrence and I weren't together anymore. You could've told me then. Sure, it would've been a little weird at first, but I definitely would've been open to it, especially if this involved you guys’ happiness.”
Amanda wrapped me and Mya into her arms. “I love you guys.”
“We love you, too.” Mya and I said in unison.
“Yuck!” Sandra hissed. “Come on, baby, let's get out of here.”
Standing up, Lawrence grabbed Sandra's hand and began walking towards the door, his mom on his trail. They didn't say a word to any of us as they stormed out of the room.
“Good riddance!” Mya said, waving at their backs. “Now, Natalie, isn't there something else you need to get off your chest?”
My eyes bulged. “Girl, what are you doing?” I whispered.
“Come on! It's either now or never. You opened up that 'let's tell the truth door', so finish what you started. Besides, I don't think everyone will be as upset as you think they would be.”
“But we haven't spoken to each other all week. I think I blew it.”
“You may have hurt his feelings, but if you explain yourself, I'm sure Dexter will give you another chance,” Amanda said.
“Yes! I know you miss him, so go ahead and tell Ricky the truth and then go get your man, girl!” Mya encouraged.
I placed my hand over my mouth to hold back my giggle and embrace my two best friends again. They were both absolutely right. I still had feelings for Dexter, and I missed him terribly. He was right to be upset with me because I was protecting Lawrence, while this whole time he was using me. I felt like a fool, but no more a bigger fool than letting the only man I had a genuine connection with go.
Releasing our hug, I took a deep breath and walked over to Ricky.
“I have one more thing to tell you. Please don't be upset. I promise it was not on purpose, and it wasn't planned. It kind of happened out of nowhere.”
“You and Dexter have been fooling around,” Ricky stated, taking a sip of his rum and Coke.
My mouth dropped open as I stared at him. “What. How did–”
Ricky threw his head back and laughed. “Come on, Natalie. You and I are as thick as thieves, and I know you. I also know my best friend. Over the past week, you and Dexter have been a pain in my ass. How could the two people with whom I spend the most time have an attitude and get snappy at everything? So, I put two and two together, and voila! Plus, when I visited you a little after the festival, I saw the way he was looking at you. I saw the way you were looking at him.”
“I'm sorry. I should've told you sooner.”
Ricky waved a dismissive hand. “It's no biggie, sis. I can admit that at first, I was a little disturbed by it. I mean my older sister and my best friend… together. Yuck!”
I slapped him on the shoulder, and he threw up defensive hands.
“Wait, girl! When I saw you two laughing and talking around the store when I was there helping, I knew he was your person. I haven't seen either of you look at anybody the way that you look at each other. Now I don't know what you two are fighting about, but I suggest y'all go fix it because I'm tired of both y'all's attitude.”
I laughed as I leaned down to give my brother a big hug. “I love you, Ricky.”
“I love you too, sis. Now get out of my face. I don't want the ladies at the bar to think we're together.”
I mushed him on the head before walking around the table. Wrapping my arms around my mom and dad, I gave them both kisses on the cheek. “I'm really sorry that I lied to you about Lawrence. I was trying to help him because he was trying to get in favor with this other country club. Had I known that he was using you and me, Dad, to keep connections, I would have dropped him sooner.”
My dad patted the top of my hand. “You have a good heart, Natalie. I see you were trying to help, but sometimes you have to really use your discernment to realize who's there for you and who's there to use you.”
