“Kamal, how are you?” Zora sounded cheery. “You are going to be an uncle.”
“Good.”
“It’s been crazy since I saw the results. Corey and I found a doctor on the island to confirm.”
“Congratulations. I can’t wait to see if I’ll get a niece or nephew.”
“Or both. Maybe I have twins.”
“Yes.”
“How’s everything in New York?” Zora asked. “Are you being nice to my friend?”
I smirked. “Definitely.”
“You’re not bothering her at all?”
“Not one bit. If anything. . .I’m giving her a pleasurable time.”
“What does that mean?”
“Never mind that. I need advice on Amber.”
“Ah. That’s the only bad side of my being pregnant. I can’t punch her in the face when I return.”
“She won’t be here when you get back anyway.”
“Good. What do you need to know?”
I explained the situation with Amber, leaving out Jade and my newly budding relationship.
“Love it. You did the right thing.”
“Are you sure, Zora? She kept crying.”
“Good. You were nice. She didn’t deserve it. What the hell was she doing outside of my apartment? Stalker much?”
“Okay. I think she’s done with all that—”
“She better be. If I see her, then I’m going to throw something at her.”
“Zora—”
“Wait. Why was she worried about Jade walking Ganesha?”
“So. . .about Jade?”
“I don’t like how your voice sounds when you say my friend’s name.”
“What do you mean?”
“It sounds like your singing her name.”
The cashier brought over my pizza. I left him a big bill and whispered, “Keep the change.”
He gestured for me to place the money on the table, instead of in his hand.
I nodded, took the pizza, and left.
“Kamal, why are you singing her name?”
“Okay. Jade and I—”
“Oh no. You did not sleep with her!”
“Will you let me finish?”
“That’s why you’re singing her name. Ewww. You always do that when you’re head over heels for someone.”
“Zora.” I stepped outside the joint. “I really like her.”
“You better like her because Jade is not someone you’re just going to get your rocks off with.”
“That’s not me.”
“You slept with my friend, buddy. So, guess what?”
I chuckled. “What?”
“You better put a ring on her finger.”
I quirked my brows. “Calm down, Zora.”
“If you slept with my friend, you have to marry her in a year. I’m not playing with you. Jade is a hot catch and doesn’t have time to waste—”
“Zora, can I take one day at a time.”
“I’m so mad with you. Of course you two would be great together, but not right now. . .and not all over my apartment. Ewww.”
“I’m going to have someone clean up.”
“Ewww.”
“Relax. Every time Corey and you come to Los Angeles, Mom complains about you both moaning all through the house.”
“Oh no. She can hear us?”
“Yes. So, this is karma.”
“Whatever, Kamal. Either way, I’ll help you pick out a ring when I return.”
“I’m not rushing this, Zora.”
“Then you shouldn’t have slept with my friend. I can’t believe you! Corey, he violated my bestie. I’m hanging up and calling her now. And poor Ganesha had to witness all of that?” She hung up before I could say anything else.
I rolled my eyes and headed back. “My sister is bat shit crazy.”
When I stepped inside the apartment, Jade stood in the center of the living room on the phone with her hand covering her face. “Zora, yes. If we do, you can be my maid of honor, but that’s a conversation for another time.”
Chuckling, I set the pizza on the counter.
“Yes. I understand. No. What? Three days for a wedding.” She moved her hand and shook her head. “I don’t know about having a traditional Indian wedding. Yes. I know Mommy would want one, but I’m not. Wait. Zora, I don’t even know, if. . .”
I laughed, knowing Zora was interrupting. I yanked off the gloves and slung them in the trash. Next, I took off my mask.
“Zora, I have to go. Yes. He’s back. No. It wasn’t on your balcony. Why would we have sex on your balcony? I’m not answering that, either.”
I walked over to Jade, grabbed the phone, and spoke, “Goodbye, baby sis. She has to go and by the way, we are most definitely going to have sex on your balcony.”
Zora screamed, “Kamal!”
I hung up and put her phone on the table.
Stunned, Jade shook her head. “Why did you tell her that we were going to have sex on her balcony?”
“Because it’s true.” I reached for her.
She backed up. “Nope. It’s a pandemic. Change your clothes and everything.”
“Really?”
“New York death toll hit over 1000 daily deaths this weekend.”
My heart ached. “Damn.”
“The news was saying that it’s probably wise for New Yorkers to dump all outside clothes in the washer when we get home and take a shower.”
I studied her. “That’s why you’re wearing that cute little white top and new set of shorts?”
“Yep. I took a shower.” She gestured at the balcony. “And you should leave your shoes out there. Apparently, direct sunlight burns the virus in minutes.”