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“Justine!” Xolani exclaimed in shock. Meanwhile, Barry’s guard went up, and he gave Xolani a look as if to ask how he should handle this.
“What?” Justine amped up the innocent act with wide, earnest puppy eyes. “I was just making an observation.”
Anika nodded as if to add credence to Justine’s absurd claims. Meanwhile, Nigel was watching Justine with a half-smile as if he was thoroughly enjoying her acting.
“Keep your observations to yourself,” Xolani ordered while giving both her friends narrow-eyed looks.
“She’s not the only one wondering,” Cam piped up. “Why won’t you make an honest woman out of my sister, Barry?”
Xolani spoke before Barry could. “Your sister is the one who refuses to make an honest man out of him.”
Barry said, “Actually, it’s a mutual decision.”
“And none of y’alls business,” Xolani added before he could say more. “We’ll sort it out ourselves.”
“Oh, touchy!” Camryn gave a mock tremble. “You look like you want to skin all of us alive.”
“Look at her coming to her man’s defense,” Justine piled on. “So cute.”
Fortunately, the circular disk on their table lit up to let them know that their food was ready. Xolani grabbed Barry’s arm. “Let’s go get the food.”
As they walked away from the table, Barry put his hand on the small of Xolani’s back and said, “You know, you don’t have to defend my honor.”
“I know.” She sighed. “I just don’t want them boxing you into a corner and making you uncomfortable.”
Barry’s discomfort was just part of the reason she didn’t want her friends questioning him too much. She was also afraid that their questions might make him angry at them and by extension her. If he got too angry, he might’ve decide to end what they had going. She didn’t want that. She was too addicted to let him go.
“Your friends are just looking out for you.” Barry squeezed her waist. “And I don’t mind their questions. I can handle them.”
Worried, she said, “You don’t have to.”
“I want to.” He kissed her temple. “Just give me a chance to show them they have nothing to worry about.”
“Okay,” she reluctantly agreed.
When they got back to their table with the group’s food, a list of seemingly premeditated questions awaited him. Justine took the lead with Anika egging her on.
Did you have other girls on the wings? No, Xolani was the only woman on his roster, and he didn’t plan to add to it. He was a one-woman man.
What do you hate most about Xolani’s personality? Nothing. He liked everything about her. He added that he liked how assertive she was about her boundaries, and was trying to be more like her.
That answer made Anika smile and almost flipped her to his side. But Justine gave Anika a look that screamed ‘Get it together, Lady. We’re at work!’. Anika dropped the smile, sat up in her seat, and glared at Barry fiercely like the silent bad cop she was supposed to be.
Justine continued with the interrogation.
If Xolani and Nigel were drowning, who would you save? Xolani. Barry answered immediately and with no hesitance, earning himself a scowl from Nigel. He took the sting out of his words by saying Nigel could swim.
“So can Xo,” Cam said.
“But she’s my lady.” Barry stared at Xolani affectionately. “I’d still have to check on her to make sure she was fine.”
Xolani almost melted in her seat. Why was this man so sweet?
But Justine remained undeterred by the sappiness. She demanded, “What’s your opinion on men who don’t claim their women on social media?”
“That depends.” Barry went on to explain his answer. If the man was constantly posting everything from his breakfast to his colonoscopy results, then it was a red flag. But if he wasn’t active on social media or if his partner wanted privacy, then it was okay.
Would you post Xolani? Only if she wanted him to.
