“She’s talking to somebody,” Akira interjected.
“Actually, that fell through.”
“What?” Akira asked, her eyebrows pinching together.
“Y’all hoes and secrets - spill the tea.” Cindy impatiently waved her hand.
I rolled my eyes before giving Akira a gentle smile. “Well, when I went back home over the winter break, I met this really fine guy at a bar called Jill’s. I mean, nothing happened besides us having some really good conversation. I ended up giving him my number and on the last weekend I was in town, he hit me up to hang out. I spent over two hours doing my hair and makeup just for that asshole to cancel at the last minute.”
“I know you fucking lying!” Akira gasped.
I shook my head as I sat down at my vanity. “That's what I got for letting a guy named Ayzo talk sweet bullshit in my ear,” I huffed out loud.
Cindy and Sandy looked at each other, causing me to squint my eyes. Sandy cleared her throat and gave me a sympathetic smile. “Do you still talk to him? Maybe he’s available now.”
I shook my head. “Nope. After he stood me up, he sent me a text message the day I was boarding the plane back here, explaining that he still had feelings for some girl he used to talk to and it wasn’t going to be fair to me to string me along. When I tried to reach out to him again, the number was disconnected.”
“Or he blocked you.” Sandy stated, matter-of-factly.
Akira rolled her eyes at her before looking back at me and expelling a small sigh. “At least he told you the truth. A lot of these niggas out here would have tried to fuck and then leave you on read without a second thought.”
I nodded in agreement. “When you’re right, you’re right. Besides, when we met at the bar, I could tell that he didn’t really want company, but he was fine as hell, and I would've been a fool not to talk to him. I should have listened when he slipped up and said some girl had him down bad and he was just looking for a friend to talk to, but this damn hussy in between my legs was ready to finally jump in the game.”
“Girl, I can’t!” Sandy chuckled.
Akira grinned before standing up and rubbing me on the back. “Don’t worry, boo. When you find the right man, he’ll want you and never leave you hanging.”
I felt tears well at the corner of my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away as I hugged my best friend. I wanted so much to believe that would happen to me, but at the end of it all, my fate was sealed. I was already promised to be married to someone that I had never met. The dream of being able to find the love of my life was shattered the day I accepted help from Mr.L. Real love was never going to be in the cards for my life.
Akira’s phone chimed, causing her to mutter under her breath. “Looks like I have to work early in the morning, so I definitely cannot go out.”
I scrunched up my nose before looking at my watch. “Girl, it’s almost seven in the evening. Why your boss just now saying something about somebody house needing to be cleaned this late at night?”
K shrugged one shoulder. “I’ve learned not to ask questions if I wanted to get paid.”
“Big facts,” I chuckled.
“Oh! Why don’t y’all come with me? All of the heavy lifting will be done tonight, so in the morning, all we’d have to do is basic stuff like dusting.”
“Hell to the no! I am not spending my weekend cleaning some nasty ass house,” Sandy sneered, standing to her feet.
“Agreed! I’m trying to get my back blown out by dick not from scrubbing floors.” Cindy chimed in.
I rolled my eyes as the pair waved goodbye and walked out the room. A part of me understood where the girls were coming from. At the same time, I’ve seenAkira bring home at least a stack every time she was called to clean. Shit, I could use an extra grand right now, especially if all I had to do was tidy up.
“I don’t mind going with you, Akira, as long as we’re back before the afternoon.”
Akira’s nose crinkled as a questioning look danced in her eyes. We may have been best friends, but she still did not know everything I was going through. I had been able to keep my weekly doctor checkups and my arranged marriage hidden, but I could tell that she knew I was hiding secrets. It was written all over her face, but she didn’t speak on it.
Akira cleared her throat and grinned. “Absolutely! If we get there by six, we’ll be done by nine at the latest. They’re offering three bands, so I’ll give you half.”
I jumped up and wrapped my arms around my best friend. “You are the bee’s knees, boo!”
Akira laughed as she embraced me. “I’ll shoot you the address tonight.”
“Can I just spend the night with you? I mean, it’ll be easier that way; we can just ride together.”
Akira nodded her head. “I’m cool with that.”
