Page 22 of Koda's Love

Diamond and I both liked to shop, so the mall was the perfect place for us to spend some time together. We both had been busy, so we hadn’t seen each other, but we still talked every day. It was different being in each other’s presence, though.

“Good. I love that for you. I’m glad you are giving yourself a chance to find happiness again. I’m proud of you.” We shared a quick hug, then went to look for the shirt I wanted.

Diamond and I spent a few hours shopping, but then we got hungry. We were on our way to the food court when we ran into one of Miles’s cousins.

“Hey, Denise,” I spoke, but the look on her face made me feel like she had beef with me. It threw me off because I had never had any problems with her before.

“Avalon.” Her top lip curled. “I guess you call yourself dating again. You know Miles wouldn’t like that. Maybe you never loved him if you could be all in the next man’s face.”

“How do you even know if I’m dating or not?” I hadn’t seen Denise in a while, so her comment was weird.

“I saw you at a restaurant looking all cozy,” she spat as her face reddened.

“Hold on, what you ain’t gonna do is talk to my cousin like that. You, me, and everyone else knows how much she loves Miles, but she’s entitled to move on.” Diamond got in her face while I stood frozen in my spot.

Denise sucked her teeth. “Whatever.” She stomped away because she knew she didn’t want any smoke with Diamond.

We went to school with Denise, and she couldn’t fight then, and that hadn’t changed.

My heart thumped in my chest as tears welled in my eyes.

“Nope, you aren’t doing that. Fuck her!” Diamond grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the restrooms. When we got there, she pushed the door open and pulled me inside. Once the door closed, she let go of my hand and grabbed a few paper towels. After she wet them, she passed them toward me. “Wipe them tears. Denise is full of shit, but I know she got into your head because you already were worried about moving on.”

I wiped my face and took a few deep breaths.

“But what if she’s right. Maybe it’s too soon.”

“Cousin, don’t do this to yourself. You were literally glowing a minute ago, before her stank ass opened her mouth. Bitch mouth smelled like trout. I know regardless of what I say right now, you are going to be in your head. How about we get something to eat and I bring you home?”

I nodded my head because I was afraid if I opened my mouth again, I would cry. I wasn’t even sure why I let it get to me. It wasn’t like I was cheating on Miles. He wasn’t here, and he couldn’t come back, so why couldn’t I move on?

Diamond and I didn’t say much as she drove us to pick up some Chinese food, then to my house. The whole time, I was in my head about what Denise said.

When we arrived at my house, Diamond helped me take my bags inside.

“I’m just going to say this, and you don’t even have to respond. Don’t let some miserable bird make you lose out on something good. Koda seems like he makes you happy, and there is no reason why you shouldn’t be happy. Don’t shut him out when he didn’t do anything.” She hugged me, then kissed my cheek. “I love you.”

“Love you too.” I walked her to the door, then locked it.

I was in my head as I ate my food, then put the stuff away I had gotten.

When it was time for my nighttime snack, I thought about Koda as I grabbed an apple from the basket.

He texted me so we could read together, but I never responded. I needed a moment to get my thoughts together.

We would have to talk soon, though, because he hired me for a job, and I intended to do it.

I feltsome type of way that Avalon never called me when she got home and never responded to my text. I wasn’t sure what that was about because I was certain we left on good terms. I didn’t want to think too much about it. At first, I was concerned, but when she responded to my message about meeting up to go over some things, my concern turned to low-key anger. Maybe anger was the wrong word; it was more so disappointment because I thought we had better communication than that. If something was on her mind, she should have been able to tell me. The whole night, I racked my brain trying to figure out what the issue could have been.

I didn’t have too much time to dwell on it, because I had a busy day, but that didn’t stop me from checking my phone damnnear every hour to see if she texted or called me. Each time there was nothing from her, I was disappointed all over again.

When it was time for our meeting, I told her to meet me in the ballroom. I wanted to tell her about some food ideas I had and some other stuff. I really just wanted to spend time with her, but we did need to work on the anniversary party. I told her I wanted her to have full control, but she also asked for my input if I had anything to add.

I heard and smelled her before I saw her. I turned around and smiled when my eyes landed on her, but I didn’t get the same warm welcome.

“Hey, Ava,” I said as I approached her. I tried to pull her in my arms, but she hesitated. I dropped my head back and looked at her. “You good?”

“Yes, it’s just been a long day.” She stared at the floor like something was down there.