Page 138 of Curvy Girl Summer

Shaking my head because I knew she was going to say something ridiculous, I answered, “Yes.”

“I’ll let the news reporters know that Ty has you in the back of his truck somewhere headed west. But it’s cool because you didn’twant to see some guy you claim to not have feelings for. Would you prefer we put your face on a milk carton or a billboard?”

Pushing myself out of the chair, I made my way to my bedroom. “Jazz, please!” I cackled.

“No, but seriously, if there’s really nothing between you and Ahmad, there’s really no reasonnotto go to Onyx,” she reiterated.

I sighed. “You’re not wrong. But…”

“But nothing! Now promise me you’ll go to Onyx.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. “Fine. I’ll go to Onyx.”

“Good. Now I feel better.”

“Well, enough about me. What’s going on with you? When are you coming back?”

Twenty minutes later, I was caught up on her life, and we were about to get off the phone.

“This is the longest I’ve gone without seeing you,” I told her. “I’m going to give you the biggest hug.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” she said cheerfully.

She sounded different from how she had at the beginning of the summer. There was a lightness to her tone.

I smiled.

Time heals.

20

“Meet Ty’s fine ass at Onyx and make the bartender have to eat his feelings when you flaunt your sexy ass tonight,” Nina advised as soon as I picked up the phone.

I’d sent her a photo of Tyrone before leaving work for the day and let her know what I was wearing. I knew she was going to call me when she finished working, but I didn’t expect her to launch right into it.

“Nina, I literally just got home,” I giggled. “Please.”

“Well, I just got wind that you were trying to duck out on an opportunity to rub your date in Ahmad’s face.”

I shook my head as I took off my shoes. “So, I take it you talked to Jazz.”

“Yes. And she told me that you were trying to be featured on the eleven o’clock news.”

I cackled. “Why are the two of you so dramatic? I already told her I was keeping the date at Onyx!”

“Listen, I’m down for you to go on as many dates as you want, with whoever you want, wherever you want. I’m just trying to figure out why you were going to let Ahmad run you from your spot.Youchose that place before you even knew him. Yeah, he may work there, butyouchose that spot because you’re comfortable with it.”

“You’re right,” I realized with my eyes wide. “I mean, his family owns it, so it’s more his spot than my spot, but I see your point, and you’re right. Ididchoose that place before I even knew he existed. It’s been my first-date meetup spot.”

“So, like I said from jump, put on your sexiest dress and flaunt your shit tonight! Best-case scenario, Ty is amazing, and Ahmad has to watch you get fawned over by that beautiful, muscle-bound truck driver. Worst-case scenario, Ty is a dud of a date, but you’ll still make Ahmad jealous, so it’s still a win.”

I had a flashback of what Ahmad looked like shirtless. The sculpted frame of that man was a work of art. Even if we were just friends, I couldn’t deny that he looked good.

Really good.

I shook off the thought and the mental image. “I mean, I don’t think Ahmad’s going to be jealous of Ty.” I licked my lips. “He’s pretty built. I mean, the body is giving.”

“What? Have you seen the bartender shirtless? Aaliyah!” Nina reacted with delight.

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