Page 32 of Can't Get Enough

“Zee, I’m sorry,” I say after a moment. “Goodbye.”

CHAPTER 10

HENDRIX

Isettle onto the stool at my counter and take a long sip of my pinot gris. After the headache I woke up with this morning, you’d think I’d stay away from alcohol. I deserve this, though. The day was nonstop and… strange. My call with Maverick Bell was disconcerting and far too stimulating.

Intellectually, of course.

The man is smart and charismatic and confident. That kind of assurance goes much deeper than his pockets. It drills down to the bone. It’s in his fabric, and that is some fine fabric.

I set the rest of my leftovers in the fridge. Soledad and Yasmen told me Saffron’s was the best Indian food in Skyland, but I didn’t want to get on a bandwagon and held out for months before I finally tried it tonight. I bring up our text thread to admit defeat.

Me:You bitches were right. Saffron’s is great.

Soledad:God, I love being right.

Yasmen:Aw, man. I wanted to be there when you had it for the first time.

Soledad:Just be glad she finally tried it. You know how contrary she is. She won’t do things just because we told her to.

Me: That’s not true.

Yasmen:It actually is. When do we get to hear about the wild weekend in Miami?

Me:It wasn’t that wild, but maybe we can get together Saturday?

Soledad:Lottie has a gymnastics meet in Savannah. For God’s sake, what was I thinking letting her start this shit? It’s costing me an arm and a leg and all my spare time. Saturday’s out.

Yasmen:Kassim’s having a sleepover. Si is handling the restaurant and I’m manning the boys.

Sometimes it sucks to have domesticated friends.

Me:My week is packed. Literally something every night for a client or a founder. Guess I’ll catch you up next week.

Soledad:Can you at least tell us if you met Maverick Bell?

I’m still reeling that he called today. I have a lot to unpack about that guy, but I’d rather do it with them in person. Instead of answering Soledad’s question directly, I shoot for a time that I can fully explore all of this situation with the only people I trust completely. I need to see their faces when I tell them all that has transpired.

Me:What about next Sunday? I’ve been wanting to try that Korean bathhouse. You guys up for it?

Yasmen:I’m in! The reviews are amazing.

Soledad:Is that the one where you gotta get naked?

Me:Yes. Andddd?

Soledad:Uhhhhhhh… not sure. Naked?

Me:Chile, ain’t nobody thinking about them lil’ titties. LOL! Just come.

Yasmen:Sol, I’ll bring my drooping tits and my stretch marks. Fuck anyone who has something to say about it.

Me:And I got a roll around the middle and a little FUPA. But you know I call it a FAP. Fat-ass pussy. Ayeeeee! Plus-size pussaaayyyy.

Soledad:Hen, what’s really plus-size is your confidence.

Yasmen:Are our people doing this?