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But honestly, “no problem” didn’t give me much to work with.
“So you’re new here?”
Thank God. I latched on to it immediately. “Yeah! I just moved from California.”
With that, we fell into the easy small talk. He was pleasant, if a little bland, but I told myself I was being unfair. So I concentrated on his conversation, and participating, and laughing at his jokes and telling my own. I could do this. I could have a normal, adult relationship, like a normal, comfortable person.
Then Abe arrived.
When I opened the door, he grinned down at me with the full intensity of his personality, which made me feel enveloped in warmth. “Hey, you.”
He’d brought chocolate babka, which seemed like a brutally underhanded thing to do. I loved babka, the sweet strands of dough woven with dark chocolate and butter and cinnamon. It was a heavy, dense, decadent dessert when prepared correctly, and Abe had learned from the best—my dad.
I took it from Abe with a sense of wonder. “You made this?” With some sadness, I placed it on the table to be consumed by all.
He grinned. “Don’t worry. I made a second one just for you.”
He followed me into the living room. A mixed percentage seemed to recognize him, which made sense—Abe wasn’t as famous as some of his teammates, not like the tabloid darling Ryan Carter or the incredibly talented Malcolm Lindsey. He settled onto the floor, since none of the folding chairs were quite large enough to be comfortable.
Sabeen’s friends were all delighted to see him, and immediately nabbed his attention. He was happy to give it—but he also met my eyes every time my gaze lingered on him.
Which was more often than it should have.
Still, I thought I’d be able to juggle everyone. Except then Shoshi showed up.
I gaped at my cousin when I opened the door. “Hey. Um...” She’d definitely responded no to my Facebook invite. “I didn’t know you could make it.”
“Change of plans.” She swept in, a picture of sophistication in her black silk top and dangling silver earrings. She peered about at the apartment. “Not bad. Pretty small.”
I hurried after her, my nerves tangling up in my chest. “Um, Shoshi...”
She stepped into the living room and came to a sudden stop.
I almost shoved my fingers through my hair, and restrained myself from messing up my curls just in time.
I saw the moment Abe saw her, because he slowly turned to face her and take in all the daggers her gaze threw at him. He smiled. “Hey, Shosh.”
She narrowed her eyes even more, and then turned to me. Luckily, we were so close that no one else could overhear our words. “Are you kidding me?”
I offered a hesitant smile.
“What’s going on?”
“We’re friends?”
“You can’t be friends with him. Are you trying to make yourself miserable? To sabotage your chances at having healthy relationships? Is he why you cancelled on the speed-dating thing?”
Yes. “No.”
She looked furtively back and forth between us, and caught the way Abe was watching. “You’re sleeping together.”
I reddened. “We’re not! God, why is my private life not allowed to be private?”
“So he’s part of your private life?”
My teeth ground against each other. “He’s my friend. Leave us alone.”
She crossed her arms.
