“So mad y’all dragged me out my bed tonight,” I say before hugging each of them.
Pera shouts over the music. “Bitch, no, you’re not. We’re going to have a great time.”
“You look good, girl.” Laneesha smiles.
A big smile lifts my cheeks. “Thanks,” I say, doing a dramatic twirl.
“Nico’s tongue will be on the floor when he sees you,” Nila adds.
My smile fades and the lie forms on my tongue. “I don’t want to see him.”
Vi grips my wrist briefly. “You don’t have to lie to us. We saw the way you look at him and the way he drools over you.”
Sweat beads at my temples. Shit. I pat my forehead dry.
“It’s better to tell myself I don’t want anything to do with him.”
Pera's smile disappears. “I think a small part of you dies inside when you’re not with him.”
I take a step back and chuckle. “He’s my ex-boyfriend for a reason.”
“Girl, the man is in love with you,” Laneesha points out.
A part of me still loves him.
“I will walk away from him in the near future.”
Their sad gazes move over my face.
“Yes, I’m going to that party,” a woman next to us shouts.
She’s dancing against the wall while chatting with her friends.
“Nico Pitucco is sexy as hell. If he’s lucky, I’ll sit on his face and let him eat me out.”
My fists curl at my sides. The urge to wrap my hands around her neck is strong. I feel my nostrils flare.
They snicker and clink their red cups in the air.
Vi places an arm in front of me, halting my movements. “Where are you going, Serenity?”
I blink twice to control the feral beast inside.
“Nowhere.” I flash a fake smile at my friends.
“You were going after those women,” she points out.
“I get a little jealous when it comes to Nico.” Raising a hand, I say, “I know that makes me territorial of my ex.”
Vi’s face softens. “It shows how deeply you love him. You don’t want him to be with other women, but at the same time, you won’t give him a second chance.”
My smile rises and falls. “I know.”
“I knew you loved him.” Nila dances in place.
Staring into their eyes, I add, “This is just between us.”
They sigh and roll their eyes. “Fine,” they each say.
