Between Friends Read Online Free Page A

considering what I’d just said.
    â€œTrip, no!”
    He laughed. “Come on let’s go.”
    I waited by the front door while he went to let his partner know he was leaving. We headed out, with me following behind his truck in my car. Once I was in the car, I called my mother to check on Cameron and she reassured me that he was fine.
    My car trailed Trip’s truck into the parking lot of a Waffle House, which wasn’t too far from the gym. Once inside, he ordered steak and eggs; I ordered a waffle and a cup of coffee. For a moment we sat in silence, pretending we were interested in what the other patrons were doing. Finally he spoke, snapping me out of my trance.
    â€œSo what’s up, baby girl? How you been?”
    I looked up from my cup of coffee. “I’m good. How have you been?”
    â€œI’m good. Been a minute since I been home.”
    â€œWhat? This is still home for you?” I joked. “You act like you can’t come up I-20 anymore.”
    He chuckled. “You got jokes.”
    â€œI’m just sayin’.” I took a sip of my lukewarm coffee.
    â€œYou still working at Four Seasons?”
    I shook my head. “No I’m at 404.”
    â€œOh, you working at that club over on the west side? What you managing?”
    I took a sip of my coffee. “No, I own it.”
    He made a face like he was impressed. “Wow, so you big time now?”
    â€œI guess you can say that.”
    â€œHow you like that?”
    I nodded. “It’s different running a whole spot, but I like it.”
    â€œYou must like it a lot, you driving that C-Class.”
    I laughed. “Why you sizing up my whip?”
    â€œYou ballin’ and I’m driving a departmental issue truck.”
    â€œWhatever, that’s by choice. Don’t think I don’t know about that BMW 550i you got parked in your driveway.”
    He looked at me and shook his head. “You still nosy as hell. What else is going on?”
    I took a bite of my waffle. “Oh! Remember Dionne? She manages it for me.”
    His eyes got big. “For real? I haven’t seen her since college. She still wild as hell?”
    I nodded. “Yeah, she works the bar too, but I would be lost without her help.”
    â€œRemember that fight she got into at the sophomore skate party at Cascade with Lisa Travers?”
    I started cracking up. “Yes! Because I got caught in the middle of it and ended up with a bloody nose trying to pull her off that chick.”
    He doubled over laughing. “That shit was hilarious.”
    â€œYeah, and you just stood there watching.”
    â€œAre you crazy? Break up a girl fight,”—he shook his head—“not gonna happen.”
    I rolled my eyes. “You’re stupid.”
    The waitress appeared at our table, getting both our attention.
    Her brown skin had a refreshed glow about it, like she had gotten a good nap before her shift. Her micro braids were pulled back in a ponytail, and she had huge hoop earrings on, with a tattoo of something in cursive on the side of her neck. She smiled as she placed our plates in front of us.
    â€œE’rythang look good?” she asked.
    I looked from my plate to her big brown eyes. “Yes, it’s fine. Thank you.”
    With a smile and a nod, she left, taking her southern hospitality to her next table.
    I took a bite of my waffle and felt Trip’s eyes on me. I glanced up and smiled.
    â€œAre you gonna watch me eat?”
    He laughed. “Yeah, I just wanted to make sure your skinny ass still ate food. All the weight you’ve lost, you never know.”
    â€œI got a wedding gown to fit into, I can’t be all fat walking down the aisle.”
    We laughed a little, but just a little.
    With the mention of my wedding the sparkle in his eyes flickered and went out, like someone blowing out a candle. I pretended not to see and he turned his head toward the window,