Page 27 of Arris, Jayme & Dyani
“Thank you. I had pretty good help deciding what would look best.”
“The best help.”
“You’re not lying.” I started taking my cold items out of their bags. “Can I get you anything to drink or something?”
“Nah. I’m good.” She hopped up on a chair. “But what’s up?”
I exhaled and turned around to face Jayme. I set my hands on the island.
“I kissed Arris,” I blurted.
Jayme blinked at me. “Okay?” she scoffed.
“I didn’t know you two were linked and we kissed and I’m not going to pursue anything with him if shit is going to be weird.”
“I— Dyani…” She paused then snickered. “Arris and I have been broken up for a while now and he’s free to date whoever he wants, I promise. We have a good coparenting relationship and I don’t know. You seem nice and you’ve already met Blake. I don’t feel any type of way about what y’all have going on and that’s not going to change.” She reached over and set her hand on mine. “I’m good. I promise and I appreciate you telling me this and caring.”
I exhaled.
“Okay. I just… I don’t know. I mean, I technically met him first but I think you’re good people and I don’t know.”
“We’re good,” she assured me. “I mean, if I was jealous of anyone, it would be Arris, not you.” She winked at me and I scoffed.
“So, you’re…?” I waved my hand side to side.
Jayme laughed and sat up.
“Oh. I’m very…” She flipped her wrist downward.
We both laughed.
“Same.”
“So I have a chance?” she joked.
I lifted an eyebrow. Jayme was gorgeous and I enjoyed the time we’d spent shopping. We exchanged a few messages here and there in the days since and I thought she was funny, but her flirting with me was different. I was instantly nervous. I swallowed, licked my lips, and shifted on my feet again.
“Well, I have a date with Arris tonight so you may be a little late.”
“Please,” she rolled her eyes, “Arris would love a little friendly competition.” Jayme chortled. “I’m joking, Dyani. Breathe. I’m just coming out of a relationship. I’m not trying to jump into anything else serious right now,” she assured me.
“Oh.” I shifted on my feet. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. It was a dead-end relationship anyway.”
“Well I’m glad you figured it out sooner rather than later.”
“Yeah. Me too.” Her phone beeped. She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at her screen. “Thanks for having me, and if you ever want to hang out, feel free to let me know. We can let Blake and Arris hang out while we shop or something.” She hopped up.
“That sounds nice.”
“Good.” She walked around the counter and gave me a quick hug. “And if I finish healing and Arris hasn’t locked you down, I’ll call you.” She winked. I giggled. “Have a good day, Dyani.”
She let me go, spun around, and headed toward the door.
I watched her go.
Arris and Jayme were both so confident and straightforward it was a little off-putting.
