“From Tyson?!” Aaliyah screeched. “What?”
I laughed. “Exactly!”
“Why would she think you were still hung up on him?”
“She said I abandoned the idea of relationships and marriage because I ‘lost’ my husband. And I never abandoned the idea, and I certainly didn’tlosemy husband.”
“He lostyou!”
“Okay!” I agreed.
“Where did that come from?” she wondered.
“She was saying that she was worried about how I handle significant losses since Aunt Addy is…” I swallowed hard, unable to say it—especially when that wasn’t the focus of the conversation. “My mom basically was saying that she’s worried about the way I handle loss because I haven’t had a man since the divorce.”
“I don’t think Tyson had anything to do with that. But…” She dragged the word out. “Idothink the experience jaded you. I mean, it would’ve jaded me, too. That asshole had been cheating the whole time! But I think the experience made you apprehensive to trust and open up to someone.”
I slowly nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “Yeah,” I sighed.
“You’re going to meet someone who is going to make you comfortable enough to try again. Until then, you said you were going tohave sex this summer. So maybe take a page out of Nina’s book and get back on the horse.”
I giggled lightly. “That’s the same exact thing Aunt Addy said.” I closed my eyes, and I saw Lamar. A quick flashback of our time near the river washed over me. “Mm.”
“Who are you thinking about bringing to my party? Maybe whoever you bring will help you get back on the horse.”
A throb between my thighs sparked an idea.
“I have someone in mind,” I told her. “But if he can’t come, I’ll figure something out.”
“He? Who is he?”
“I met him in Chance, actually. But he lives in Maryland.”
“What? How cool is that?”
“Yeah, he was only here visiting family, but we became friends.”
“And he’s just a friend?”
“Suddenly, I gotta go,” I told her.
“Hmm. Interesting…”
We burst out laughing.
“This is the longest I’ve gone without seeing you,” she told me. “I’m going to give you the biggest hug.”
I smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”
We said goodbye, and then I made another call.
“Hey, what’s up?” Lamar answered over the commotion in the background.
“Hi, are you busy? I just have a quick question.”
“I have a few minutes for you. You good?”
“Yeah, I’m good. I was just wondering if you were busy on Saturday?”
