Page 5 of The Wrong Reciprocation

"Mama…"

"Nevermind. If you don't want us to meet him, that's fine with me." Rolling her eyes, Linda turned and left the kitchen, leaving Twyla absolutely bewildered.

Bringing a new romantic interest around wasn't Twyla's ministry but it was something Linda had no qualms about doing. She did it frequently enough that Twyla's cousins didn't even bother learning names, instead choosing to identify Kinda’s beaus by clothing or hairstyles. Deciding not to get too worked up over the hot and cold woman who raised her, she got back to the meal and set her mind back on her upcoming date.

The next couple of days flew by in a blur, with Twyla and Arturo circling each other, keeping their distance in the mornings like some sort of truce had been brokered between them. It was as if they had mutually agreed to suspend the amount of time they spent together in an effort to foster anticipation for their date.

By the time Saturday rolled around, Twyla could barely contain her excitement. It was date day in more ways than one. First, she had brunch with her girls, then later that night was dinner—and dessert—with Arturo.

It had been over a month since she'd seen her small but mighty friend group all at once and she was overdue for some genuine camaraderie. Earlier in the week, she’d suggested in their group chat that they rectify that as soon as possible. Thankfully, everyone shared the same sentiment and they agreed to make time in their schedules for a shared meal at their favorite restaurant. Vanessa took it a step further, inviting everyone over to her apartment for a big girl sleepover the following weekend. Having plans with them gave her the fuel needed to push her mother’s weird behavior to the back of her mind. Unpacking that with friends was better than deciphering it on her own, as she’d done for most of her life.

As she sat at the cabana on the patio of Lakeside Lounge, she sipped her paloma and impatiently waited for her friends to join her. In her eagerness, she’d arrived at their now-favorite spot earlier than their agreed upon time. As the girls trailed in, she rose to hug and greet them, anxious for the opportunity to fill them in on her activities for that evening. It had taken a true test of her willpower, but she’d managed to keep the information out of their group chat, knowing that she wanted to see their faces when she told them the news.

“I missed y’all,” she admitted as soon as everyone was seated.

“I missed you too, friend,” Seraph responded, her lips turned down in a pout. “It feels like forever since we’ve all gotten together.

“It has been,” assured Sierra before turning to Seraph. “You’ve been under Damon—”

“You’ve been under Devin!” Seraph shot back, her lips curled into a grin.

“Well, I’ve been buried under work,” Vanessa interrupted, swinging her eyes between the two.

Amused by her friend’s antics, Twyla shrugged. “I’ve just been at the house, waiting on y’all to have time for me.”

Seraph laughed and grabbed a sugar packet from the small bowl in the center of the table, tossing it at Twyla. “Shut up, T!”

“Am I lying?”

“Yes!” Vanessa laughed. “Those two are the only ones in relationships, so stop acting like everyone is face down and leaving you ass-out. Besides, you’ve been doing more than twiddling your thumbs while you so-called ‘waited’.” She gave Twyla a knowing look.

Seraph arched an eyebrow and glanced from Vanessa to Twyla.

“What have you been doing, T? And why haven’t we heard about it until now?”

“Well,” Twyla began slyly, “I might not have been boo’d up like y’all yet, but I have a date tonight and I’m pretty sure I’ll be singing a different tune next time we get together.”

Sierra gasped. “With the guy from Bright Horizons?!”

Twyla nodded, happy to once again be able to speak about him freely. “Girl, yes! With Arturo’s fine ass.”

“How did that happen?” Seraph asked. “You finally asked him out?”

“I asked him to join me for lunch,” Twyla corrected, bouncing her eyes around the table. “But then he kissed me, and fingered me under the table at the restaurant, and asked if he could take me out on a date and fuck me as a nightcap.” She rushed the rest of the words out, giddiness stealing her natural pauses.

“I know that’s right!” Sierra hooted, holding her hand in the air.

After slapping it loudly, Twyla laughed. “I almost can’t believe it,” she admitted. “I’ve been lusting after him for so long, I never thought something would ever happen between us.”

“Wait,” Vanessa said, holding up a hand. “Hasn’t it only been a few months?”

Pursing her lips, Twyla blinked owlishly at her friend.

“Yes, Nessa. But those few months have been pure torture. Staring at his round ass every morning, hearing the way my name rolls off of his tongue, smelling his cologne.” Twyla sighed dreamily, blinking her eyes rapidly. “Torture.”

Vanessa laughed. “It’s only been torture because your crazy ass been half in love with him this whole time.

Swiveling her head, Twyla raised her eyebrows. “Right. So you understand my dilemma?”