“For real, isn’t she so aggravating with that?” Jordan cosigned. “He’sjust a friendwho helped you get your condo, fixed your car, is a low-key role model to your son, and didn’t you say he’s helping you train for amarathon?”
“That’s just how Julian is. He’s a giver. Likes to solve problems. Can’t help himself.”
Jada chimed in. “Mmhm. Problem-solver who looks like he could bench-press a truck and knows what to do with his hands.”
“Andtongue,” Tamika cackled.
“Y’all are terrible.”
“You need to wake up.” Tamika pointed at her camera. “Ain’t no man doing all that for a damn friend, Alyssa. I don’t care what you say. That manwantsyou.”
“She can’t help it. She’s been single so long her radar is off,” Jada said.
“And been celibate longer thanthat,” Tamika added. “What is it now? Six years? That thing’s gonna seal shut if you don’t use it soon.”
“Oh my God. Will y’all stop?” I was laughing so hard, my stomach hurt.
Micah appeared in my doorway and held up a package of Oreos.Can I?he mouthed. I nodded. He grinned and disappeared back into the living room, cookies in hand.
“I’m just saying,” Jada continued. “If I had a manthatfine helping my kid with homework, taking him to practices, I’d be finding reasons to stretch in front of him. Drop something, bend overrealslow in a pair of booty-cutting shorts. You know the ones where your cheeks hang out a ’lil bit?”
“Girl yes!” Tamika hollered, “You could accidentally fall during one of your runs. Right into his arms.Whoops!”
“Or fake a pulled muscle,” Jordan schemed. “He’d have to help you stretch it out. I bet he’s got good hands. You can just look at him andknowhe strong.Mmph. Yaass, Lord!” She fanned herself dramatically.
I was crying laughing at this point. “Y’all read too many romance novels.”
“We’re just being creative! You need some of that in your life.”
“Some excitement.”
“Come on,” Jordan leaned forward. “You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed. You’re not dead, Alyssa.”
I looked at my sisters’ expectant faces. “Okay, fine,” I said quietly. “Of course I’ve noticed he’s attractive.”
“Attractive!?” Tamika whooped. “Girl, that man isfine as fuck,andsexy as hell!”
“Ok, so you’ve noticed...aaand?” Jada pressed me.
“And nothing. I said we’re just friends.”
They all groaned.
“But you think about him,” Jordan said with a knowing look.
“Think about him how?”
“You know how.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“Sometimes. Maybe.”
All three of them erupted in cheers. “There it is!” Jada clapped. “She’s still human!”
“When’s the last time you felt excited about someone?” Jordan asked more seriously. “Like butterflies, can’t wait to see them excited?”
I paused, considering. “I can’t even remember.”
“But Julian gives you butterflies?”
