Page 81 of Lily In The Valley
Lynn took a sip and pondered Nyah’s question, then said, “Delusion.” We all collapsed into giggles.
“Lynn, you say that after every breakup. At this point, every man you come across is your dream man.” I shook my head, leaning back to rub Vanessa’s belly.
“I can’t help I’m a lover girl. It’s not my fault I can’t keep them off me.” She pouted.
Vanessa raised a brow. “And yet you fend off Wesley like a stray cat.”
Lynn rolled her eyes. “That’s because Wesley’s annoying. Always talking in riddles like I’m supposed to understand his smart-ass haikus.”
“But you have noticed the haikus,” I teased. “At least once.”
She waved me off but kept smiling. “Come on, y’all know Wesley’s a grade-A, silver-spoon, asshole. He just hates me less than everyone else.”
Nyah snorted. “Girl, he’d carry you across hot coals if you’d let him.”
“And risk messing up his custom leather Louboutins. Girl, please.”
I looked over at Nyah. Her head swayed from a muted melody as she twisted the hem of her shirt and drank her wine. “What about you?” I asked gently. “You good?”
She paused, training her eyes on something outside the window. “I suppose. I’ll be better when you’re good.”
“You heard from Maverick?” Vanessa asked, nonchalant, but eyes curious.
Nyah blinked. “Why would I have heard from Mav?”
Lynn and I exchanged a look. “Because he stares at you like you’re the sun to his moon,” she answered for the both of us.
Nyah laughed, shaking her head. “That man is not checking for me like that. And did y’all forget, I’m married. I do have a husband. Y’all were in the wedding.” We didn’t press because we knew better. I supposed we all had our own delusional worlds we’d constructed to keep us from avoiding reality.
Vanessa shifted on the bed. “Khalil asked if he should come tonight.”
I stilled. “He did?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t know how you’d feel, so I told him maybe it wasn’t for the best.”
“Good,” I said with no emotion. “He’s doing his thing. I don’t want to drag him back into my mess.” No one said anything but I felt their questions pressing on me like the thick comforter we shared. “I just need time…To figure out how to be me again.”
Lynn raised her glass. “To figuring shit out.”
“To shedding dead weight,” Nyah added, wetness filling her eyes.
“To whatever comes next,” Vanessa said, rubbing her belly, catching the tear that fell down Nyah’s cheek. We clinked our glasses and drank. For a moment, the ghosts quieted.
Lynn yawned dramatically before dragging herself off the bed with promises to call tomorrow. Nyah hugged me tight, resting her forehead against mine for a beat longer than normal.When my bedroom door clicked shut behind them, the room fell into a hush. Vanessa stayed behind, fluffing the pillows on my bed, as if they were hers.
“I’m spending the night,” she said, getting comfortable under the covers.
I laughed. “What does Zay say about that?”
“If he knows what’s good for him, he won’t say anything,” she fired back with a laugh. “Besides, he said the words before I had a chance to open my mouth. Already had my bag packed.” We leaned back into the bed. She wrapped her arms around me as we settled in for the night.
“Thank you,” I whispered into the pillows.
“You’ll be okay,” she whispered back, rubbing my back. “You’re already on your way.”
Chapter 25
Kelly
