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ChapterOne

“Are you out of your damn mind!? Do you want to die?”

Tilting her head enough to secure the dainty, diamond-studded earring in her fingers into her ear, Sevyn rolled her eyes at the phone propped up on her vanity table. She could feel in her spirit that the active FaceTime call with one of her best friends was about to take a turn.

“Relax, Lorren,” she advised.

“Relax? Relax? You’re going on a blind date with someone you met on a dating app, and you want me to relax? We don’t know this man! Do you know how many crazy people pop out during the holidays? As a matter of fact…”

As Lorren’s words trailed off, Sevyn released a huff, already knowing what was coming next.

“Lor, don’t. The last thing I want or need is Avery’s dramatic a—Lorren!”

It was too late. Lorren’s face disappeared for just a second before reappearing, along with another box with initials in the middle on the screen. Before Sevyn could part her lips to protest, Avery’s charcoal-covered chocolate face popped onto the screen.

“Hello, sisters!” she sang brightly, tugging at the shower cap covering her hair. “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” Sevyn managed to squeak out before Lorren’s words drowned her out.

“I’ll tell you what’s going on! Your best friend has been talking to some stranger online. A stranger whose name she doesn’t even know.”

“His name is Maverick,” Sevyn corrected.

Lorren snorted indignantly. “Is that supposed to make it better? I’d rather him stay nameless than to assume you’re potentially going on a date with a white man. I ain’t ever met a black man named Maverick.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Avery narrowed her eyes. “What is happening here?”

“Nothing other than the fact that I learned to keep Lorren’s ass out of my business.”

“Oh, so I’m the bad cop for wanting to save your life? Fine. I’ll gladly be that. Ave, did I mention that Maverick doesn’t know her real name either? He thinks it's Serena.”

“Sev, is she serious? You’re going out with someone you don’t even know?”

“YES!” Lorren answered before Sevyn could get a word in.

Avery fiercely shook her head. “No ma’am, this is not okay. Where are you going? What time? I need to see this man’s profile so we can find out who he is. What if he’s using a fake name? What app did you use?”

“The two of you are getting on my nerves,” Sevyn fussed, fluffing her hair. “In case you’ve forgotten, I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.” Pausing, she gestured to the wall behind her that was lined with trophies and other accolades she’d earned during her decorated boxing career. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“You can play these games all you want,” Lorren frowned. “We both have your location. I’m not even arguing with you about it anymore.”

As Lorren changed the subject, Sevyn made a mental note to turn her location off when she left the house.

“Anyway, Ave,” Lorren shifted her attention. “New subject. What are you bringing to the New Year’s Eve party? I want to make sure I cross whatever it is off the list.”

“Oh,” Sevyn butted in. “Speaking of the party, Kohl will be there. He’s coming home next week.”

Avery sputtered on the sip of wine that she’d downed before Sevyn’s announcement. “I’m sorry, what?”

“I didn’t stutter, ma’am.”

“Tuh,” Avery’s eyes swung to Lorren. “Lor, count me out.”

“Ave.”

“No, don’t Ave me. You already know how I feel about that—”

“Watch it,” Sevyn warned.