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She pointed toward the giant window. “That’s why I’m here with you tonight. I wanted to be intentional about my commitment to our friendship. I’m pouring in today.”
I turned, lying my back flat on the recliner, and nodded. “You think it’s weird we’re still single, doing sleepovers like this?”
“Shi, I’ve not turned down the man God has whispered a word of confirmation of. In other words, I’m where I’m supposed to be. And as Paul says in Philippians four, ‘Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.’” She winked at me, lifting the flute to her mouth. “Baby, I am single and content.”
And I had to get centered before reaching the contentment stage.
Shit…
I grabbed the kiosk from the table. “AndIneedMauve.”
ChapterEight
Part III
March | Three Years Later
“Ilike that nail design,” Noelle murmured from the opposite end of the sofa in my living room. “Is that glitter?”
I glanced down at the nail design on my index finger specifically. “It’s gold foil.”
“You got that at your regular spot you used to take me to?”
Shaking my head, I folded my bare legs underneath my butt, curling my frame even more. “I went to the spa. Peach told me to go for it.”
“You went to the spa without me? Wow,” her delivery monotone. I didn’t know if Noelle was offended or not. “I could’ve hung out with Peach. She likes me.”
My face folded. “Peach loves you.” All my friends did. “It was a last-minute plan. Peach wasn’t even reserved for it. It was a mommy and me date until Chi-Chi went to Miami with her father.”
“Which spa?” Her top lip curled in disgust.
I invited Noelle over on a school night to spend time with her now that I was home and done withIDC. I still hadn’t decided on touring with Pixie. It kicked off in the fall, and the clock had been ticking. I’d been praying and weighing my options. It had never been this hard to answer to work for me, but these encroaching feelings fogged my brain. Either way, I was home now and with the desire to plant my feet. My attempt at doing that was spending time with my sister. I asked her over for the night.Damn!Had this been awkward? Noelle, once a loving, vulnerably sweet kid, was now filled with attitude and…anger.
“Crystal K.”
“Of course, I don’t get an invite.” She rolled her eyes into the air.
The doorbell rang. When I stood, I tried explaining, “I’m still adjusting to being off the road, Noelle. It was supposed to be something special for Chi-Chi. You can understand that. Right?”
Noelle’s response was rolling her eyes toward the other end of the room as she picked up her phone and began tapping on it.
My eye roll was to the floor, so annoyed and confused about how to deal with her. Noelle had been giving off teenage vibes since she was eight years old. However, I could now see how much hormones played a part in attitude. That and the fact of her still being in mourning. She hadn’t shared any grief with me, but I knew it was there. If only I had an idea of how to resume the fun, loving relationship we used to have.
I didn’t even check the peephole before opening the door. It was Chi-Chi and Jas. My building did not allow for unexpected guests who were not given special permission to access it freely. Jas was one of those granted entry whenever he showed.
Time froze for mere seconds, and I could see a familiar beam in his eyes as he processed my being. There was a distinct dilation in those pupils. His countenance, towering, thick, and commanding were all attributes forcing him to your awareness. A flash memory of his head between my quivering thighs as he ate me with those penetrative irises seizing more than my mind and body besieged me. A charging energy he emanated electrified me, surging through my veins.
“Hey!” I tried for a smile, observing Chi-Chi asleep on his shoulder.
The crocodile eye slide materialized, effectively obliterating the beam once there. “Yo,” was all he returned while sauntering inside with her suitcase and duffle in his other hand.
Jas headed straight to Chi-Chi’s room, leaving an enticing aroma in his wake I didn’t know could still cause my pulse to leap. Strangely nervous all of a sudden, I followed them to the back of the apartment, observing his stride in a dark gray wool overcoat. It was one of my favorites of his.
He parked the suitcase the minute he entered Chi-Chi’s bedroom. I clicked the light switch as he lay her on the bed and removed her coat. We crossed over each other when Jas went for her duffle bag and began pulling things out. I finished removing her coat, unable to help stealing kisses from Chi-Chi’s soft skin. She, too, smelled amazing. Her natural scent and a smear of her Dad’s cologne on her face.
“I had Jug pick up a few of her favorite fruits, snacks, and juices.” He pulled a shopping bag from the duffle. “She’s been killing kiwis lately, so I figured she’d like to see them here.”
My eyes lit with curiosity. “So, Juggy drove you home? Does that mean he’s feeling better?”
