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But it didn’t even take getting sober for her to realize that she’d made a mistake. Immediately after they shook hands, she wanted to end the charade. But alas, promises had already been made.
She stole a glance at Barry to figure out what could’ve possibly made him throw out the proposal. But it was hard to read his expression when he was so focused on the road.
They were currently in his car, on their way to her apartment.
Because she knew she’d be drinking, Xolani had left her car at home this morning. Her plan was to share a cab with Justine because they lived in the same direction. However, Justine had abandoned her an hour ago to spend the night with her newest catch. When Barry found out Xolani was taking a cab, he’d offered to take her home.
How could she refuse such a generous offer? Especially when it came from a ‘friend’?
Just thinking that word was enough to make her roll her eyes. Friend! She snorted. Humph!
“What’s that?” Barry interrupted her thoughts.
“Huh?” She sat up straighter and looked at him.
He glanced at her. “You just made a sound like you wanted to say something.”
Had she snorted out loud? Quickly, she searched her mind for a way to explain the rude noise. All she came up with was, “It’s nothing. I just feel a little cold coming on.”
“Oh.” Concern immediately filled his expression. “Is your jacket enough? There’s an overcoat in the backseat if you need to get warmer.”
“No, no, no. I’m good.” She rubbed her nose. “It’s just a little itch in the nostrils. Nothing to be worried about.”
Still concerned, he glanced at her. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.” She smiled.
Was this man trying to get her even more infatuated with him? Many men wouldn’t have even heard the sound she made. Others would’ve heard it but ignored it. Meanwhile, Barry had noticed, gotten worried, and even tried to fix it for her. She had a good, helpful man on her hands; a good, helpful man was now her friend.
Yuck!
“There’s tissue in there.” He pointed to the glove compartment. “You can grab one if you need it.”
To add credence to her fake story, she took the offered tissues. “Thank you.”
When she opened the glove compartment, tissues weren’t the only thing she found. Above them was a flyer.
“What’s this?” Xolani took the flyer out.
“That?” Barry looked away from the road for a brief moment to glance at the flyer. “That’s for a Latin food festival. It’s happening this weekend.”
“I heard about it.” She asked, “Are you going?”
“I’m thinking about it.” He smiled. “Good food, good music, colorful people. It seems like fun.”
Her heart leapt in delight because of his smile. The man was incredibly handsome. Some might even say too handsome. Smiling made him so hot that it should be illegal. Now she wondered how his face would look like when he came.
Stop it, Xo. She gave herself a mental slap. This man is your friend.
“What about you?” Barry interrupted her lustful thoughts. “You going?”
“I want to, but not alone.” She explained, “Unfortunately, Anika’s got a family thing, and Justine is afraid that she might run into one of her Latino exes.”
“Exes?” Barry’s eyebrows flew up. “How many Latinos has she dated?”
Xolani laughed. “Enough to avoid their festivals.”
“Well, damn!” After a beat, he offered, “Why don’t we go together then?”
