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Pressing my hand to my heart, I said, “We don’t deserve you.”

“Damn right y’all don’t. If I get one more complaint about the grocery store not having fresh mangos, I’m gonna scream.”

“Didn’t you run on the campaign promise of free mangos for everyone?” I teased.

“I’ve never even had a mango.” The delicious fruit was clearly the bane of his existence.

“Really? Well, you’re missing out. If you tasted one, you’d understand the rage when the store runs out. They’re great for smoothies.”

We grabbed the attention of the waitress and placed an order. “I’m glad you could come out tonight,” Cy said once she was gone.

“You know me, my dance card is always empty.”

“What happened with Melodie?”

“After Fancy’s housewarming, she was pissed, talking about how I’d embarrassed and disrespected her and that she had no interest in playing second fiddle to Dial. Which, honestly, were all valid points.”

“Are you two over?”

“You know, I was gonna try to convince her otherwise, but I thought, what’s the use?”

“Dial’s moved on, and it’s time you do the same.” Cy’s features settled into a familiar expression. He was silently judging while signaling that he was tired of my shit.

“Dial has not moved on. Your sister’s a trip.”

“I told you not to date her. But you wouldn’t listen, and now look at you. She’s got you following her around like a lost fawn.”

“Because she feeds me treats,” I mumbled while sorting through the bowl of Chex Mix, picking out the pretzels.

“Wait, what does that mean?”

“Nothing.” I popped a nugget into my mouth.

“Oz, don’t tell me you two are still messing around.”

“Okay, I won’t tell you.”

“Ozzie!”

“Please don’t bitch at me. I’ve already done enough of that on my own.”

He took a long sip from his glass. “I don’t get it. I don’t get you two.”

“It’s Dial.” I scrunched up my face like the reason I was hooked was obvious.

“Listen, I love my sister, I think she’s amazing, but she’s a bone collector, never willing to let shit go.”

“That may be, but I liked every part of her.” My thoughts settled on Dial and me during better times, and I shook my head in the hopes of dislodging it. “Anyway, none of that shit matters because we’re done.”

Cy served up a vicious eye roll. “Sure.”

“For real this time.”

“I don’t believe you.”

That was fair. I’d uttered similar sentiments in the past, so I got why I was receiving the boy-who-cried-wolf treatment. “I had an epiphany.”

“I’m not drunk enough for this,” he teased.