Page 62 (1/2)

"Come on, man She fucked you over She’s a piece of shit Duood and move on She’s not worth your tiht and he felt the stirrings of anger Nathan beingJaht with him "She did it because she cares about me"

Jamal’s lips curved "So you love her"

Then it dawned on hihed "Hey, it worked, didn’t it? You don’t want things to be over with her, do you? If you were really done with her, you’d have joined in the trash talk Instead, you defended her"

"You’re right"

"So, she ot bruised Man, I’ve been there It’s hard to ado Wendy and I had a big-ass blowup She walked out and I sere done"

"So what happened?"

"I cooled down and we talked and we both realized ere two stubborn people who liked things our oay But we talked to each other, ured it out That’s what you and Mia have to do"

Nathan dragged in a deep breath "You’re right Thanks, Jamal"

"Hey, that’s what friends are for You know I’m always here for you"

He didn’t knohat he’d do without his best friend

Now he had to go and get his other best friend back

FORTY

MIA WAS SHOCKED TO HER TOES WHEN SHE GOT THE text e from Nathan while she was at work

Can you coht?

She didn’t knohat it meant, but she was more than open to it She quickly sent back a reply

Yes Anyti in his e to indicate whether he wanted to yell at her soood mood But she wanted to be prepared either way After work, she stopped and bought so for him Then she took a shower, dried her hair and put on makeup, then slipped into a black-and-white sundress and her sandals She wanted to keep it casual, but she wanted to look good, too

She drove over to his place and took out the bag and carried it to his door, her heart pounding the entire ti she didn’t pass out from the stress while she waited

Nathan pulled the door open He earing relaxed jeans and a tight dark T-shirt His hair was thick and long and if they’d still been friends she would have teased hiht anyood and all she wanted to do was smother hio

She resisted

"Hi," he said "Come on in"

"Thanks"

She walked in and he shut the door behind her She felt aard and nervous and hated every second of how she felt around him

She really lass?"

She’d like about four glasses

"Yes Thank you"

He sounded just as nervous and aard as she was That ht back" He stopped and turned around "Uh, you can sit down if you’d like I also have snacks You hungry?"

"Not right now"

"Okay"

She took a seat on his sofa and looked around His place was still as she reray Nicely furnished, butstark

He calass of white wine and handed it to her

"Thank you"

She noticed he took a seat on the chair, not on the sofa with her

"Nice dress," he said

"Thanks"