Page 38 of Takedown

“But you must have some ideas,” Ananda, the pushy bitch, says. “You know you can’t keep shit from us, so you might as well confess now.”

“We are considering Paris.” They look at each other and burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“The most romantic city in the world,” Ananda says between chuckles.

“I know. I know,” I say to my two best friends. “When this first happened, I saw a way out, but now I can’t. Each time I try to get out, I just get pulled in deeper and deeper.”

My friends stare at each other, and it’s as if they are having a silent conversation, and I know it’s about me.

“Stop doing that. Just say what you want to say,” I tell them.

“Just how deep does he go?” Alex asks again with a loud giggle.

I sigh and roll my eyes to the ceiling.

“You’re like a twelve-year-old boy,” I tell her.

“That’s how this one ended up pregnant. You’re so damn filthy,” Ananda says to Alex. “Anyway, Melanie, you’re married, fucking, and living together while you plan a wedding. You’re besties with his mama. So much so that you’ve been texting each other all day. Why don’t you stop the bullshit about divorcing him in a year and give it an honest try? You married the man for a reason, right? I don’t understand why you’d never give him a chance to begin with. It’s always been obvious he’s crazy about you, and he’s fine as fuck. And I don’t buy that load of crap about finding a man your parents would like. I know you, and I know you don’t give a shit about what anybody else thinks, especially your mother.”

Alex’s fork stops halfway to her mouth while she waits for me to answer. Out of the three of us, Ananda is the most outspoken. You never have to guess what she’s thinking or how she feels because she will tell you. Alex is more subtle. She’s gentler and will eventually lead you to the right conclusion.

“I told you guys I always wanted a black boyfriend.” I know they are going to call me out on my bullshit. “It makes life easier,” I say in my defense.

“Yeah, if we were living in nineteen-forty; funny how you say that but end up married to the Irish guy,” Ananda reminds me.

“I was drunk.”

“Girl, stop with that shit. I was there! You had some drinks, but you weren’t drunk. And honestly, who cares about his color? We want love, and it shouldn’t matter if our person is black, white, orange, or green? As long as he’s a good person and fine. He’s definitely gotta be fine.”

“Then he must have drugged me.” My response is a little bit too loud for the restaurant. An older lady from the next table looks at us, her brows marred in disapproval.

“Mellie, come on.” Alex reaches over and touches my hand.

“Nobody drugged your ass. Stop lying!” Ananda yells at the table. “And you are too hardheaded to do anything you don’t want to do.”

“Whatever,” I huff. “Are you both going to be my bridesmaids or what?”

They both start to clap at the table right before Ananda takes me in a suffocating hug.

It’s after six by the time I make it home. I stayed late to catch up on work from last week. We’re allowed to work remotely, but the storm caught me by surprise, and I had some matters I had to resolve before coming home tonight.

I close the front door to the house just as a strong gust of wind hits. It’s well below freezing today and the short walk from the train station has chilled me to the bone. As soon as I close the door behind me, the door to the first-floor apartment opens, and my mother’s head pokes out.

I give her a tight-lipped smile and try to walk up the stairs, but she steps in front of me. I stop short to avoid bumping into her. Addison comes running out and wraps her arms around one of my mother’s legs.

“Hi, Auntie.” She waves her little pudgy hands at me. I lean down and kiss the top of her soft curls. “Where Ada?”

As if he heard his name, the door to the second floor opens and Adam’s heavy footsteps hit the stairs. It’s like a herd of elephants, and I don’t miss the jolt of excitement coursing through my body at the thought of seeing him. He left so early this morning. He slid out of bed right at five to head to the gym before work. He gave me a kiss on the forehead minutes later, and I haven’t seen him since.

When he reaches the bottom step, he grabs my face and kisses me. It’s almost as if he’s oblivious to our audience, and after not seeing him for over twelve hours, I’m eager to kiss him back. My bag lands on the floor, and I wrap my arms around his neck and open my mouth. He presses my body into his, and I curse at wearing my bulky winter coat.

“Ada!” I hear Addy’s voice before I feel her little body by my legs. She wraps an arm around mine and one around Adam’s leg. “Pick up.” She starts to jump, and Adam breaks the kiss, picks her up, and puts her on his shoulder.

“It’s Uncle Adam,” he reminds her.

“Unco Ada!” She pulls on his hair, and he makes a face.

A laugh escapes, and my mother finally clears her throat. Jason opens the door and steps out when he sees us. “You guys coming in for dinner? Mom cooked all this food.” He gestures towards his apartment and waves us in.

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