Page 56 of Loyalty, Lust, Love
“What took you so long?” he mumbled.
Her arms went around his body, and she allowed herself to get lost in his scent.
“I had to do some last-minute shopping since I didn’t get home until last night.” She held up the bags in her hands.
He released her, taking the bags but remaining close, his eyes focused on her lips. Everyone was still in the dark about them being more than friends. However, Lynx couldn’t resist risking being caught and stealing a kiss, so he placed the bags on the floor, cupped her face with his hands, and pressed his lips against hers for a moment before pulling away.
“I missed you,” he whispered with his lips still lightly pressed against hers.
“I missed you, too, but we need to chill before we get caught.”
Before Fateema left Lynx in DC several months ago, they decided not to share with anyone that the nature of their relationship had changed. They didn’t want to be pressured to define what they had or to move at a pace that was uncomfortable.
“You’re right.”
He finally moved to the side and let her in from the cold. Just as he was about to close the door, Octavia stopped it from closing.
“I’m here!” she exclaimed.
The three friends exchanged greetings with excitement before heading to the kitchen, where the others had already begun filling their plates. Everyone was happy to see each other and didn’t hide their excitement.
“We cannot wait this long to get together again,” Fateema said.
“It does seem like forever, but who has money to travel back and forth? I know I don’t,” Adam declared.
“Every month, I’m praying my tuition is paid, so traveling isn’t feasible for me either,” Joaquin added.
Keeping in touch with each other was more challenging than expected, and they understood all too well what it meant to be a broke college student.
“We need to be more intentional with communicating. Our group text is dry as hell,” Meaghan mentioned.
“You’re right. It’s not hard to send a text once or twice a week,” Octavia agreed.
“Do we need to ask if y’all communicate regularly,” Octavia asked, referring to Lynx and Fateema.
“It would be a waste of breath,” Adam said.
“We still talk every day,” Lynx admitted.
“It looked like your visit to DC was fun,” Octavia said.
“It was. Lynx showed me a great time.”
“I bet he did,” Adam said with a smirk.
“He wouldn’t have it any other way,” Joaquin added with a matching smirk.
Lynx and Fateema caught the undertones and insinuations in their friend’s words but didn’t acknowledge them. They continued eating, talking, and eating more as they gave life updates. Academically, everyone was doing well, although some had to work harder than others. Octavia was in a new relationship, while Meaghan had just ended one.
“So, how serious are you and this dude, Meaghan,” Joaquin asked.
“We’re still new but have decided to be exclusive. Why?”
“Just curious,” he responded as he looked at her lustfully.
“Just curious, my ass,” Adam said. “You trying to shoot your shot.”
“Nah, I’m already breaking up one happy home.”
