Between Friends Read Online Free

space between us, filling in gaps of space that we couldn’t seem to fill with words.
    He stared at me for a second, then spoke. “You want some water?”
    â€œSure.”
    We walked to the juice bar. He bought two bottles of water and turned his attention back to me. “Look, I want to apologize about ... ” he started.
    â€œNo need.”
    â€œYes, there is. That whole situation was just—”
    I cut him off. “I understand. Your dad had just died; you had Camille back in New Orleans. Things were crazy. I’m just glad to see you.”
    We grabbed our water and walked toward the basketball courts and took a seat in the bleachers. There were a lot of brothers living out their NBA dreams at the gym. A few looked damn good; others looked a hot mess.
    He took off his leather weight-lifting gloves and laid them on the bleacher next to him. I watched him as he opened his water and instinctively reached for mine so he could open it. I passed it to him, but not without our hands touching.
    My mind was cloudy.
    Thoughts bounced around like giant beach balls.
    I looked up and a guy on the other side of the court caught my eye. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place his face. Just as fast as he had appeared in my line of sight, he disappeared.
    Trip said something. I cleared my head and my throat, then took a sip of water. “I’m sorry, what?”
    â€œYou always come here to work out in the evening?”
    â€œNot usually. My son’s with my mom and I was home by myself,” I said.
    A smile spread across his face, which made my legs weak. “What? Your fiancé didn’t want to stay home to keep you company?”
    I let out a small laugh. “You got jokes.”
    He winked. “Nah, I’m just playing. When is the wedding?”
    I looked down at my ring finger. It was empty. I had left the ring on my dresser. I didn’t like wearing jewelry when I worked out. “August.”
    â€œDo I get an invitation?”
    â€œGotta have an address to send it to.”
    Again he flashed that smile.
    â€œYou look good, Idalis.” His eyes scanned my body. “A little skinny for my taste, but you still look good.”
    I slapped his arm. “Shut up.”
    â€œSurprised his controlling ass still hasn’t dragged you across the broom.”
    â€œDon’t start,” I said.
    â€œWhat? Y’all been engaged for a minute.”
    I rolled my eyes. “You know what. I have been playing referee with y’all since college.”
    He gave the basketball court his attention. Made a few sounds like he enjoyed what he was seeing. I pulled the ponytail holder out of my hair, letting it fall down across my back and shoulders. I ran my fingers through it, never taking my eyes off Trip. I allowed myself to become reacquainted with his features: the creamy color of his fair skin, his striking hazel eyes, and the perfect lines that framed his full lips, which made up the mustache and beard that blended flawlessly into his goatee.
    My eyes took in the way his long, thick, dark eyelashes framed his almond-shaped eyes. How his dreadlocks fell past his shoulders and rested on his back when pulled into a ponytail. I remembered when he started growing them in college; he was one of the few men who looked damn good with them. He kept them neat, got them re-twisted on a regular. He still looked the same to me; the only thing that had changed about him was the fact that his features were more mature.
    He spoke without looking at me. “Why are you staring at me?”
    I bit my bottom lip and laughed a little. “No reason.”
    Then he turned to look at me, reached up, and tucked my hair behind my ear. “Waffle House?”
    â€œYou still love that place,” I said laughing.
    â€œNo doubt.” He smiled.
    â€œGuess I should be grateful you didn’t suggest the Varsity.”
    A look came over his face like he was actually