“Hey–”
“Are you dressed? I invited Baby Girl to lunch and got nervous when she didn’t reply right away, so I told her you and Wyn are coming, too.”
“YT,” I sigh, walking toward my closet. “You don’t need buffers. You’re family. Talk about Young shit.”
“Look, I’m outside. And I know DW is at work, so you got five minutes before I crip walk all over her ‘no entering while she’s not there’ rule, and then you and mini Shaddy will be banished.”
She clicks in my face just as I pull some jeans off the hanger.So fucking dramatic.
I trade my leggings for the jeans, put on some Vans and spritz some perfume before meeting YT outside. She barely lets me close my door before she zooms off toward wherever we’re eating.
Wyn turns around in the front seat and wiggles her eyebrows at me. Gone is her blonde forty-inch bussdown. She looks more like Autumn with a jet black unit layered to perfection.
“Wow, Wyn. I love your hair,” I gush, leaning forward to run my fingers through the silky strands.
“It’s for my music video shoot later tonight, but I’m liking it, too. Maybe the blonde is played out.”
“I wanna see your natural hair. Are you a bright red Anne ginger or more ruddy brown?”
Wyn cuts her eyes to YT as she faces forward. “I’ve never seen your roots. Are you a natural blonde? Does the carpet match the drapes?”
YT winks as we pull into the valet of a cute Italian restaurant I’ve never heard of. Brina and Set are sitting at a table on the patio, Brina on her phone, Set scanning the perimeter.
I link arms with YT and pull her toward them. “Try to relax. Don’t say anythingtoocrazy. You got this.”
“I tried to tell her Brina’s a sweetheart. I mean, she’s cool with me and I–”
“You what?” YT hisses, turning to Wyn.
I shake my head as we lock eyes briefly, before Wyn smiles and squeezes YT’s shoulder. “It’s in the past.Thisis the future! Heyyy B! Hey Set! I hope they know how to make a lemon drop with tequila here!”
She skirts around us to hug Brina, who also has on a fire layered black sew in. I hug her, too, then nod at Set before taking my seat.
“I was already with Casey at physical therapy when you texted, so I’m glad it’s a group thing,” Brina explains.
Wyn snorts as she flags down a waiter. “Don’t tell me you had to put the smackdown onanotherphysical therapist?”
I mouth “put the smackdown” to YT, but it’s Set that chuckles at me.
Brina just rolls her eyes. “Them thirsty ass hoes. I been researching the exercises and stretches, in a minute it’s finna be me working him out.”
Set turns Brina toward him with a finger on her chin. “You be working me out every day anyway, mama.”
Wyn and I gag as they kiss. Thankfully, the waiter comes, busting up their PDA, and we all put in our drink and food orders.
After the waiter leaves, Brina smiles at YT, who stiffens beside me. “I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve seen you, True. You’ve been here almost a year; how are you liking Kenton? Is it better than back home?”
YT makes a weird popping sound before clearing her throat, and I’m glad Wyn and Set are in their own conversation, so they’re not witnessing her clam up like this.
Right as Brina’s brows furrow, YT finds some words.
“Uh, yes, it’s been a… while. I see why you decided to move back. It’s cool… but I haven’t had food better than Big Mama’s yet.”
“Right? I think we’re gonna go back for Christmas this year. I’m serious about Cody and Cam knowing their cousins. Are you, YC, and Prince going back?”
YT simpers like Brina’s serenading her. “Yeah. We’ll be at Big Mama’s like every year. I know she’ll be happy to have her favorite in town twice for once.”
Brina rolls her eyes and waves her off. “Oh please. I’m only second-best because of my daddy. You’re the favorite overall. I know it’s because of those snickerdoodles you refuse to make me.”
