Page 79 of Can't Get Enough

“Well, it’s working. You look about nineteen.”

“Now you lying.” She rolls her eyes and grins.

“Since we’re talking about age…” I venture. “Did Zere invite you to her fortieth birthday party next week in New York?”

The sweet curve of her lips levels, the openness of moments before replaced by a guarded expression.

“She did,” Hendrix says, still not looking up at me.

“You going?”

The silence gathering between us is weighted by all the words and sentiments we haven’t spoken; things I’d like to say tonight, if she’ll listen. If she’ll let me.

“Um, I’m still deciding,” Hendrix answers, finally glancing up from the table and finding my eyes with hers. “You?”

I sense that my answer will impact hers. If I’m attending, I can bet my Bugatti that she won’t.

“I don’t think so.” I shrug. “Not that it would be awkward. She and I are on good terms.”

It’s technically true. Things are still a little tense between Zere and me, but damn.Sheinvitedmeto her party.

“Just busy?” Hendrix asks.

“I think I’m on the West Coast that weekend,” I lie.

“Oh, gotcha.” I can’t interpret her look as relief or disappointment.

“You joined the four-oh club yet?” I ask.

“Yup. You?”

“Last year. Zere invited maybe two hundred of my ‘closest’ friends for a party at the house in Miami.” I flash a wry grin. “How ’bout you? You do anything special?”

There’s reminiscence in her extended sigh. “My fortieth birthday was amazing. I flew me and my besties Soledad and Yasmen to Dubai. It was spectacular. Spared no expense, drank like a fish.”

Defiance enters her eyes. “Hooked up with anything breathing.”

“Good for you,” I reply neutrally. Is she saying that to put me off? I don’t care who she fucked before. Once I have her, all other pussies and dicks will be laid to rest. “It was just the three of you?”

“That’s all I needed. I’m closer to them than anyone. My other friends in Atlanta threw me a huge party, but forty was big for me. I wanted to turn up, yes, but I also wanted to reflect. Yas and Sol are the full range of friendship.”

“You guys grew up together?”

“You’d think, but no. We’ve only known each other a few years. We met in a yoga class and just clicked. I knew very soon after we met that these were my people, and we’ve only gotten closer year after year.”

“You said they have kids.” I raise my voice a little to be heard overthe group singing Keyshia Cole’s “Love” at the other end of the dining room.

“Yes, I’m always on rich auntie duty,” she laughs. “Yas has two kids with her ex-ex-husband.”

“Ex-ex?”

“They divorced and remarried.”

“People do that in real life?”

“They did. They belonged together. It was obvious to everyone that they needed to reconcile, so we were all relieved when they got their shit together. And Sol has three daughters.”

“She’s married?”

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