Angel’s eyes shifted from my face back to the pages that she held. “You’re really upset about having to see him next weekend, aren’t you?”
It felt like my heart was in my throat just at the thought of it, mostly because it didn’t sit well with me that the man who’d once been my everything, was now basically a stranger. I had no idea what to expect. That alone had me believing that Dr. Gill’s idea was a terrible one. What if that indifference that he spoke of in the letter had turned into hatred now even though he swore he wasn’t capable?
I shook my head. “I swear if I wasn’t in the wedding, I wouldn’t even go at this point.”
“Wait…” Angel interjected. “If you’re the Maid of honor, doesn’t that mean that you go down the aisle with the best man?”
I cringed at the thought. “Normally, yes, but Maisha assured me that the way the planner arranged for us to march, AJ would be up at the front of the church with Terrell and I’d get to walk solo.”
She nodded. “Oh, ok. I was about to say…”
I laughed nervously, imagining how awkward that would be.
Angel nudged me gently. “How’s Jason feel about meeting AJ?”
“Meeting him? It’s not even gonna be like that. They’ll be in one another’s presence, but there won’t be any communication.”
There was a moment that Angel paused to think, but didn’t speak her thoughts aloud. I checked the time on my phone. “Let me get ready,” I announced, slipping off the side of my bed.
“Where y’all going to eat?”
I shrugged. “Not sure, he just asked me if we could do dinner.”
“Me and Lamar should join y’all.”
I nodded; Jason wouldn’t mind. After all, the four of us doubled quite often, seeing as how Lamar is his older brother. “You call and see what he says. Have Lamar let Jason know what the plan is. I have to shower.”
With that, I left Angel sitting on the side of my bed dialing her boyfriend. By the time I came back, she was gone and my phone blinked on my nightstand to let me know that I had a new text. Jason confirmed that our twosome had been converted into a foursome and that Angel and I were now meeting him and Lamar at a lounge a few blocks away instead of him coming by to pick me up – most likely that part was Angel’s idea; she loved walking the streets of the city, taking in the night’s atmosphere.
Since it seemed like this would be a more casual affair, I grabbed a pair of dark-colored skinny jeans and a white tank top. I topped it off with a purple cardigan and black shoe-boots to match my black and purple handbag.
“Ready?” Angel asked as I stepped into the living room.
“Yeah, they should be there by now.”
She nodded, turned the TV off, and then grabbed her purse from the table nestled against the back of the couch. We took to the streets, arm in arm, enjoying the perfect 70 degree weather. Perfect for both my sweater and Angel’s black maxi dress.
We got to the door of the lounge and my eyes found Jason and Lamar’s table right away. They hadn’t spotted us yet.
“This way,” I said, pulling Angel in tow behind me. Dodging a server carrying a tray of drinks above his head, we maneuvered our way stealthily to our guys’ table.
“Hey, babe.” Jason stood, kissed my cheek, and then let me slide into the booth before taking his seat again. Angel eased in across from me and picked up a menu.
“We already ordered drinks,” Lamar managed to say, nuzzling his face into Angel’s neck. I smiled at their cuteness and gripped Jason’s hand beneath the table.
“How’d your appointment go this afternoon?” I asked Jason, deciding to give my cousin and her boo their privacy while they shared a short kiss and greeting.
“Good, actually. I should hear something before the weekend gets here.”
I smiled. “That’s amazing! You’re amazing! I knew it would go well.”
“Keep it up and that agency’s gonna be yours before you know it,” Lamar chimed in when he finally dragged himself away from Angel.