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I should’ve canceled brunch with Riley today because I’m not in the mood – not after the hike yesterday, watching Judah watch me while knowing he doesn’t even want me.

When we had stopped for lunch, I couldn’t eat without him staring into my mouth.

Couldn’t talk to the girls without him reading my every move.

I didn’t want to be there.

I didn’t.

But his friends have become my friends, even the weird ones.

“Hey, girl. Sorry I’m late. There was an accident. I literally watched it happen. I was like, ‘okay, y’all need to get out of my way. I’m hungry’.”

“Really, Riley? Somebody could’ve been hurt.”

“Yeah. That’s why people need to get off the phone and drive.”

She settles in her chair and hangs her purse on the back. Then she picks up a menu and asks, “Now, what are we eating? Shrimp and grits? Or are you going for more breakfasty foods?”

“You can get what you want. I’m not all that hungry. This coffee is enough for me.”

Lowering the menu so I can see her eyes, she asks, “What you mean you ain’t hungry?”

I shrug. “I’m not. I wasn’t even going to come here today, but here I am.”

“Okay, I’ll bite. What’s going on?”

“No, I didn’t say that for you to—you know what. It’s all good.”

“Autumn Maple Pemberton—don’t make me ask you again.”

“Not my whole government name.”

“Yeah, that’s right, now what is it?”

“Um…” I pull in a breath and release it like I’m doing a mindfulness exercise and say, “Judah dumped me.”

“What!” she screams. I’m glad we’re outside and there’s no one sitting out here but us at the moment. Otherwise she would’ve deafened everybody.

“It’s all good, Riley.”

“No, the heck it ain’t!”

“It is.”

“So, you just gon’ sit here and pretend like you weren’t in love with that man.”

“You warned me. I should’ve listened.”

“No, no, no—don’t you put this on yourself. This is not your fault. This is his fault!”

“You don’t even know what happened?”

“He broke up with you. I don’t need to know the details.”

I’m still broken up about it, but somehow I feel like a peace has fallen over me. Maybe it’s because I cried all evening, all night and even a little this morning. Makeup disguises my weary eyes well, but it can’t hide the fact that my friend knows me so well.

She asks, “Did he even say why, or—?”

“He said I deserved someone better.”

“Spoken like a true player.”

“He’s not a player, Riley.”

“And I’m not about to let you defend a man who just broke up with you. You know what?” She whips out her phone, pulls up her social media and shows me a guy’s profile.

“Who’s this?”

“Girl—he’s a new teacher, and he’s finer than an EBT card when yo’ refrigerator’s empty.”

“What?” I throw my head back and laugh.

“I’ma set y’all up.”

“Um, no. You ain’t setting me up with nobody. If he so fine, why don’t you go out with him?”

“Because I don’t date people I work with. That’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

“True,” I say.

“He seems like the nerdy type…right up your alley.”

“What does he teach?”

“Advanced Chemistry. You know what they say about them educated men, girl.”

“No. What do they say?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I just wanted to know if you knew.”

“Girl…”

I laugh again and lean back in my chair. Actually, I’m glad I came out. Being with Riley always lifts my spirits.

“So, look—it ain’t going to hurt nothing for y’all to just go out for dinner,” Riley says. “I’m going to set it up.”

“Riley, no.”

“I don’t want to hear it. I’m the reason you and Judah got together so it’s my fault. Now, I’m going to make up for it.”

“Riley, do not give that guy my number.”

“I won’t. I’m going to set it all up and let you know where to meet him.”

“How do you know he’s single? He could already have a girlfriend.”

“He doesn’t. I overheard him talking to another teacher in the breakroom.”

I sigh heavily and say, “Riley, I’m not up for this.”

“It’ll be fine. I’ll take care of everything.”

“Famous last words…”

She cackles. “He’s a good guy. Just go and if nothing comes of it, then nothing comes of it.”

“Yeah, okay, Riley.”