Page 39 of Loyalty, Lust, Love

Her father mentioning Lynx again made her think of his strange behavior at the mall.

“I don’t think Lynx is happy about me going to prom with Rodney.”

“Oh? Did he say something?”

“Nothing specific, but he was acting weird.”

“Well, Lynx has never been one to minx words with you. If something is bothering him, he’ll tell you. What are your plans this weekend?”

“I have to work the early shift at the coffee shop tomorrow and Sunday, but Rodney invited me out tomorrow night.”

“Oh, really. I need to make sure I’m home so I can meet him.”

“Oh God, Daddy. It’s not even a real date. We just don’t want it to be uncomfortable between us at prom, so we’re going out to break the ice.”

He chuckled. “I don’t care, Bunny. What time will he be here to pick you up?”

She groaned and rolled her eyes. “Seven.”

“I’ll be here.”

“Fine. I’m going to my room.”

She kissed her father’s cheek again before disappearing to her room. It was eight o’clock, and her shift at the coffee shop began at five a.m., which meant she had to be up by at least three forty-five. After a quick shower, she set her alarm and crawled into bed, and as soon as she got comfortable, Lynx called.

“Hey,” she answered.

“You in bed?”

“Yep. I have an early shift tomorrow. What’s up?”

“I got a date for prom.”

Fateema didn’t recall Lynx telling her about anyone he was thinking of asking to prom, so she had no clue who he would ask at the last minute.

“You… really? Who?”

“Tati.”

She didn’t expect her best friend to say Tatiana Shaw, Rodney’s ex-girlfriend.

“Rodney’s ex?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you serious? Why would you ask her to prom?”

“Because it’s in a week, and she didn’t have a date. I felt bad for her.”

“Oh, it’s a sympathy date? Or did you do it to get under Rodney’s skin?”

“Fuck Rodney. I don’t care what he thinks or how he feels. It sounds like you’re bothered that I asked her.”

“Well, I hope you aren’t expecting us to sit together. How weird would that be?” she asked, ignoring his last statement.

“Rodney wouldn’t sit with us anyway. He has to stick with all of his lame-ass friends who stroke his ego all day. I hope you have fun with his obnoxious ass.”

“Whatever, Lynx. I plan to have the best night of my life.”