Page 99 of Curvy Girl Summer

Her smile made me uncomfortable. “He hasn’t been wearing his ring all the time, and I know it’s because of you.”

I shook my head profusely. “No, I don’t know anything about that. He’s just been looking out for me because we’re friends. That’s all,” I continued, stepping onto the sidewalk. I knew I was talking too much, but I couldn’t stop. “He gave me some therapy tips and helped me get more comfortable with dating. He’s been an example of what I’d want in my future husband—kind, loyal, funny, hardworking, thoughtful, interesting, giving… He’s truly a great man, and I treasure our friendship. We’re just friends. That’s all.”

“Are you sure that’s all?” Asia hit the button to start her car. “Are you absolutely positive?”

“Yes, of course. I would never…” I let my sentence trail off because of the way she was looking at me.

“Hmm. That’s too bad, because you’ve been really good for him. He’s different with you, and the way you two light each other up, I just thought maybe…” She moved her hands around as if she were searching for the word. “He doesn’t talk to me about his love life anymore, and he doesn’t take my advice. But I know my brother, and I haven’t seen him like this in a long time.” She bit her lip and nodded. “It’s been really good to witness.”

Confusion enveloped me, and my mind was racing. I actively fought the urge to take off running into my building. “We’re just friends.”

She gave me a knowing smile. “Okay. The chemistry is undeniable, but okay.”

“Asia, Ahmad is married!”

Her brows furrowed, and she made a face. “No, he’s not.”

14

“What?” I sputtered. “What?”

Asia’s eyes slowly widened, and she took a step back. “Wait, you didn’t know?”

“Didn’t know what?” I was having trouble understanding what she was saying. I felt like my brain wasn’t functioning correctly because nothing was making sense. “Ahmad is married.”

She looked as stunned as I felt. “I thought you said he told you about therapy.”

“He did tell me about therapy. He also wears a wedding band like most married men. So, I’m not understanding what you mean.”

Pinching the bridge of her nose, she closed her eyes and exhaled. “So, he didn’t saywhyhe was in therapy?”

“No, but he did say out of his own mouth that he was happily married.” I let out a humorless laugh as I tried to put the pieces together myself. “So, you’re saying he’s lying about being married?”

“It’s like a defense mechanism. It’s… complicated. It’s really not my place to say anything. I didn’t know you didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

I turned toward Onyx and contemplated marching over there and giving Ahmad a piece of my mind. But a myriad of emotions kept me rooted in place.

“Hey…” Asia grabbed my shoulders and turned me toward her. “If he hasn’t told you yet, he will. Just… ask him.”

I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. But if y’all are friends like you described, talk to him about it. He’s different with you. I know he’d tell you. Maybe it’s just hard at the bar with all the people around.” She covered her face and let out a loud groan. “He’s going to kill me.”

My throat burned, and I felt like I was going to choke. “I’m not going to tell him you said anything,” I told her, taking a step back. “I might not say anything at all. He didn’t tell me for a reason.”

“Aaliyah—”

I looked at my phone. “It’s getting late, so I should really get going.” I lifted my hand and forced a smile as I headed toward my door. “See you later, Asia.”

“Give him a chance to explain,” she called out after me. “See you Friday!”

I waved but didn’t say anything.

I couldn’t.

I was still reeling from what she’d just told me.

I damn near ran through the front door and to the elevator. When I got to my floor, my vision was blurry, but I managed to get inside my apartment before a tear squeaked out. My chest burned and my heart hurt. A hundred and fifty-seven thoughts ran through my mind, and I felt betrayed and lied to.

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