“Ex-husband.” I shrug as if it doesn’t matter to me either way, though deep down—hell, not even that deep—I know it does. “Josiah told me last night they’re dating, but the kids don’t know yet, so don’t mention it.”
“Are you okay with it?” Soledad frowns, before going on hastily. “I mean, obviously, you’re over him and it doesn’t matter to you if they’re together.”
She peeks from beneath a dark fringe of lashes. “Does it?”
“Not in the least,” I agree.
“So what’s the story?” Hendrix asks. “How long has this been going on?”
“He says it’s pretty recent. They’ve been working together obviously and I guess they were…” I clear my throat. “Attracted to each other. She was at the house last night when I got home from—”
“Wayminit.” Hendrix holds up a hand. “He had her up in your house?”
I give them both an entreating look. I have no desire to discuss Vashti and Josiah, and I don’t trust myself not to betray anot sure how I feel about thisvibe during this inquisition.
“Can we just drop it?” I beg.
“You sure you’re okay?” Soledad asks, concern etched on her finely drawn features.
“Better than okay. I’m h-h-happy for him,” I stutter…tellingly. “Happy for them both.”
“Well, that was about as convincing as OJ teaching Sunday school,” Hendrix mutters. “Look, even if you’re over him, that first time either of you dates after the divorce is bound to feel awkward. I understand if you don’t wanthimto know that, but we’re your girls. It’s safe with us.”
Hendrix squeezes my hand. “You’resafe with us.”
Soledad nods, taking my other hand. “You can trust us.”
I blow out a breath and lift my eyes to the sky, fixing my stare on the setting sun so I don’t have to look at them when I make this confession.
“It feels…wrong seeing him with someone else,” I admit. “But I have no right to feel this way.”
“You mean jealous?” Soledad probes gently.
“I’m not jealous.” I jerk my hands from their grasps. “I said it feels wrong, not that I’m jealous. We made the right decision when we divorced. We’re better as friends. As partners and co-parents.”
“Too bad you can’t still fuck him, though, right?” Hendrix laments. “’Cause, ba-beeee, he looksgood. And he got that smooth, Denzel kinda walk. That deep, chocolate voice. Your girl would be on that ex-with-benefits tip if I were you.”
“Hen.” Soledad slices her finger at her throat, the classiccut it out, widening her eyes pointedly.
“Oh, right.” Hendrix pats my shoulder. “What I mean to say is, you’re better off without him. You are both grown-ass adults handling this all very maturely.”
“It’s the first time either of us has dated,” I say. “So itisa little awkward, but I’ll get used to it.”
“Well, we’re here if you need us,” Soledad says.
“While I really am enjoying this bitches bonding vibe,” Hendrix interjects, “if that Blaxican truck runs out of collard quesadillas before I make it over there, that’s helly’allgon’ pay.”
Giggling, I walk with them to get this girl’s quesadillas. I make my way around the Square over the next hour, pleased to see so much of the neighborhood out, eating, spending money. The vendors all seem satisfied, and the association members I run into congratulate me on a job well done. The night is going even better than I hoped and exactly as I planned. Kassim and Deja eventually make their way back to us when we are at the fountain.
“Got any pennies?” Kassim asks, looking longingly into the fountain.
It’s not technically a wishing well, but Skyland residents have unofficially made it one, casting in so many pennies with their wishes that we’ve had to start removing the coins quarterly. The city donates any money removed from the fountain to a local shelter. It’s not much, and we’ve even created a “fountain fund” for anyone who wants to add to what we give.
“I only have quarters,” Hendrix says.
“Even better,” Kassim beams. “I heard the bigger the coin, the better the wishes.”
“I’m not sure it works that way,” I say dryly. “But quarters will fatten the fountain fund, so go for it.”