Page 87 of The Need to Know

“Simple, but effective,” Nastasia agreed.

The game continued and the questions got more fun, kinky, and personal. The more personal the question, the more folks started to drink. In Nastasia’s case, she was lucky she was only sipping on Sprite.

When Cesar asked her how often did she love herself, she was quick to swipe up her glass and take a hearty sip.

“Listen, I haven’t gotten laid in almost a year. I’m so ready to start humping legs at this point,” Nastasia said in her own defense.

In a smooth move, I turned and pivoted on my back and propped a leg on her lap.

She laughed along with Cesar and Leslie as she pushed my leg away.

“You comin’ out to Bonnie & Clyde night?” Cesar asked Nastasia as he finally let the game go.

“The first night of the Belmont Fair opens Friday and I don’t think I want to be out all night the night before,” Nastasia said. “So I might have to pass.”

“I ain’t been to one of those in years,” Cesar said. “You and Paisley going?”

Nastasia frowned. “She’s got something going on, so I’ll probably fly solo this year.”

It was cute that she really went to the fair every year.

“We should go,” Leslie suggested to Cesar.

He looked over at her and wrapped an arm around her, squeezing her thigh. “Sunday?”

“That’ll work.”

“You guys are so cute,” Nastasia remarked as she looked on in admiration at the two of them.

Leslie rubbed Cesar’s head and admired him. “Thank you.”

“Was it love at first sight?” Nastasia wanted to know.

Cesar chuckled and Leslie swatted at him. “He wasn’t romantic at all in the beginning. It was casual at first, to be honest, but when the real feelings hit, it just felt right and natural.” She leaned down and kissed him. “What about you guys?”

This was where shit got awkward.

Nastasia toyed with her glass. “We’re not together…like that. We’re hanging out.”

Cesar’s brows shot up, but he stayed quiet. Leslie made a face and leaned down and grabbed her wine. “Sister, y’all are grown. If you have a situationship, say that, but ‘hanging out’ is for kids.”

“I mean, we’re not together…but we’re not…doing anything either,” Nas stumbled to say.

I could handle the heat of scrutiny, but I didn’t like the way Nastasia seemed on the spot.

“What about kids at heart?” I quipped as I grabbed Nastasia and pulled her into my arms.

She laughed as she struggled against me. Leslie and Cesar weren’t going to go in on her in all seriousness, but I still felt the need to protect her.

“Boy, bye.” Leslie waved me off and regarded Nas. “So you’re single?”

“Yeah, my last relationship was exhausting enough,” Nastasia said as she sat up away from me.

“He cheated?”

“Girl, you know it.”

Cesar threw his head back and groaned. “Why it sound like that’s the only logical answer?”