Page 34 of A Little Kissing Between Friends

I went from being her best friend to being just another of the women that she fucked and then discarded. Back in my car, I bent over the steering wheel, my chest aching as if I’d been punched. Despite the years I’d known Poppa and the bond we had, she was treating me just like every other woman. Our history—the love we had, the care we showed—meant nothing.

I started to text her but stopped myself. I was teetering into dramatic, and this wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have over the phone. My heart was already sinking at her avoidance, but before I came to a full conclusion, I needed to see her face. She was an expert at modulating her tone, but her eyes could never lie. Lifting my phone, I swiped through my contacts and placed a call. It rang twice before it was answered.

“Hey, sweetie. I was just talking about you.”

Carissa’s friendly rasp greeted me, instantly bringing me a measure of comfort, even as her words made me pause for a moment.

Why had she been talking about me?

Who was she talking about me with?

What was being said?

I forced a chuckle, switching the phone from one hand to the other. My nerves had me restless. A dozen scenarios entered my mind, each of them more depressing than the last.

“What you sayin’ about me?” I asked teasingly, my playful tone belying the true state of my emotions.

Her deep laugh washed over me. “I was just asking Cyndi why you didn’t join us for breakfast.”

My steadily sinking heart picked up speed and plummeted directly into my shoes. Poppa was not only avoiding me but was keeping me away from her family. Had being unreasonably horny ruined my friendship? Before I could formulate a response that wouldn’t sound as hurt as I felt, Carissa continued on.

“I know, I know. Y’all aren’t attached at the hip—”

“Is that what she said?!” I interrupted, lips pursed, ready to cuss. It was one thing to cosplay a damn ghost—it was another to try and play me off entirely. The list of words I had for Poppa grew longer.

Somehow, Carissa was still laughing, completely unaware that I was in distress behind her only daughter.

“Oh, she didn’t even get a chance to fuss like she usually does because you called. Your ears must’ve been ringing.”

I relaxed—marginally—and offered a little laugh.

“No. I just pulled up to the house and saw that the driveway was empty. I know Nana Cherry is at church, so I was just calling to see where y’all were at before I drove off.”

“Oh, you’re at the house!” she exclaimed before the sound grew muffled, as if she’d pressed the phone to her chest or something. I could hear her speaking but couldn’t really make out her words. Finally, she returned. “We’re heading home now and should be there in about ten minutes.”

I started to shake my head even though she couldn’t see me.

“You don’t have to rush home on my behalf—”

“Girl, hush! We were only heading to H Mart and Cyndi was already complaining, so you’re really doing her a favor.” I heard Poppa’s voice in the background, and my chest squeezed a little.

“What are you mumbling about back there?” Carissa sassed. “You’re lucky I love Juleesa, because otherwise I’d drag you to nine different stores just for all this complaining you’re doing.”

“Babe,” Marvin’s deep voice soothed, likely from the driver’s seat.

That single word was all he said, but Carissa immediately paused her fussing and took an audible deep breath before blowing it out slowly. I marveled at the way one calming word from him could reel her in when she was on the cusp of going full Killa Carissa.

“I’m cool,” she murmured.

“We’ll drop her off to Juleesa, then we’ll head over to H Mart, and when we leave there I’ll take you to Tout Suite for those macarons you like.”

His tone was so sweet and loving that the tears I’d held at bay ten minutes earlier almost burst forth, only this time out of pure envy instead of sadness.

Marvin’s Cadillac turned onto their street, but Carissa didn’t hang up the phone. I listened as she thanked her husband and gave him loud kisses, a soft smile on my face at their unfettered display of love. Instead of pulling into the driveway, Marvin rode down to the cul-de-sac and made a u-turn before rolling to a stop beside my car. I stepped out and walked over to the passenger side. Opening the door, Carissa climbed out of the car and pulled me into a tight hug.

“Thank you, Daddy,” Poppa chirped from the backseat.

Swiveling around, Marvin glared at her.