Page 74 of Refuel

“You guys can sit with us,” Essence mentioned.

“Naw, we have a table over there,” I replied.

“Why not? It would be easier,” Tennessee told me.

“I’m cool with that,” Bobby, our other friend, said. He worked for CD Enterprises in the marketing department. We became friends when he worked on the campaign of my first photoshoot years ago.

“See, Bobby’s cool with us sitting here,” Tennessee said as he squeezed into the booth next to Essence.

“Sit next to Ari, Kamden,” Essence said sneakily.

Arianna rolled her eyes and moved over, and I sat next to her, trying to keep some distance.

“We have the burger and fries, and wings with fries.” The waitress approached the table with their food.

“Thank you,” Arianna said as her plate was placed in front of her.

“Gentlemen, what can I get you?” the waitress asked the three of us.

“I’ll have the wings like her,” Tennessee said, and I looked between him and Essence. She grinned as he picked a fry off her plate. I knew he probably had a crush on her, but I didn’t know they were actually dating.

“Anything for you, sir?” Tammy asked.

“Can you bring me a burger and fries, sweetheart?” I asked, and Arianna scoffed and mumbled under her breath.

“Of course, Kash,” Tammy stated.

Arianna smacked her lips. “Typical,” she said.

“Arianna,” Essence said, her tone pleading.

My love was strong and still present as we sat next to each other, and I could feel the pull between us needing to have a conversation.

“What?” Arianna remarked.

“Be nice,” Essence fussed.

“Always,” Arianna answered by grabbing the ketchup and pouring a little on the side of the plate with her cookie. I watched her break a piece of the cookie off and dip it into the ketchup and pop it into her mouth.

“Arianna, did you really just dump ketchup on your cookie?” Tennessee asked.

Arianna pulled back from her sandwich and wiped a piece of the mayonnaise off her lip, and I smirked seeing her eyes grow wide and look around at everyone watching her.

“I’m pregnant,” she quipped.

“Kamden, did you know this was the type of food she ate?” Tennessee questioned.

I ran a hand down my face and stared at her, wondering how we got so far apart.

“She’s pregnant,” I repeated.

“He doesn’t tell me what to eat; I’m my own person, Tennessee. I thought you knew that,” Ari advised.

“We all know that, but you two should start talking again. Both of you have been miserable without the other,” Tennessee said.

“T, leave it alone,” I said.

He shrugged and picked up a wing off Essence’s plate.

---