Page 54 of A Trial of the Heart

“It looks like all of our booths with available servers are taken, so table it is.” She smiled my way.

Thank God.

“Here we go.” The hostess stopped walking. “Your server will be Andre, and he will be with you shortly,” she said with a smile while handing us the menu. Before she walked off, she tilted her head slightly. I smiled back at her. I hoped the meal went by swiftly.

Lauryn and I sat there in silence. Things felt so out of place. At one point, things with Lauryn were a vibe, but now, it was like I’d never known her.

“So, how have you been, Rashad?” Lauryn was the one to break the silence.

I gathered my thoughts for a second before simply glaring at Lauryn. She resembled the person I knew yet seemed so different at the same time.

“I’ve been good,” I answered but didn’t return the question.

She smiled. “That’s good to know.” She paused briefly. “I’ve missed you, Rashad,” she expressed, reaching her hand out, placing it on top of mine that rested on the table.

Play her game, son. My pops’ words played in my head. Not wanting to seem obvious, I slowly pulled my hand back, and the waiter seemed to appear simultaneously.

“Howdy, folks. My name is Andre, and I’ll be your server. Can I start you two off with something to drink?” Andre spoke with a southern accent that seemed forced.

I looked to Lauryn, indicating she could go first. Though I loathed her, it didn’t mean the chivalry I had been taught was dead.

She smiled with her eyes. “I’ll have a long island iced tea.”

“Got cha. For you, sir?”

“I’m good with water.”

Lauryn sucked her teeth. “Water? What happened to the infamous old fashioned?”

Chuckling, I shook my head. “I’m good.”

“Got it. Can I start you two off with some appetizers as well, or did you need a minute to look over the menu?”

“We need a minute.” Lauryn spoke up before I could.

“Take your time. I’ll be right back with your drinks.

“So…” Lauryn dragged the second Andre walked away. “How have you been?” She asked like she hadn’t already posed the question, and I had answered.

I felt like Lauryn was asking for a reason, and since I was there for a few answers of my own, I decided to play along. “Truthfully, shit been wild these last few months.”

Lauryn’s eyes filled with concern, and her hand stretched my way once again.

“Oh no, Rashad. What’s going on?” She seemed genuinely concerned, so I couldn’t tell if it was an act or not.

Contemplating my next words, I stared into her eyes just trying to see a glimmer that she knew what I had been going through. I got nothing.

“It’s a lot of shit. Really can’t go into detail since I’m still working some things out.”

“Oh,” Lauryn muttered in an unbothered tone. Her response didn’t mimic her normal ways. No matter the situation, Lauryn always had something to say. Her lack of words put me on alert.

I mentally noted her reaction. I wouldn’t speak on it now, but it wouldn’t be something that I would forget either.

Dinner had progressed better than I had anticipated, even with Lauryn coming on to me multiple times.

“Get home safely.” I looked down at her as we stood near her car.

“Home?” She stepped closer to me. “You don’t want to come back to my place and rekindle some shit?”