Page 94 of When a Soul Cries

“Khalil,” the woman repeated. “Are we leaving?”

I rubbed my beard.

“Eventually.”

Zari almost spit her drink.

The woman stared at me. “Eventually?”

“That came out wrong.”

“No,” Zari muttered into her glass. “Sounded pretty clear to me.”

I cut my eyes at her.

She smiled innocently.

My date folded her arms. “Who is this?”

Before I could answer, Zari lifted both hands.

“Don't bring me into y'all shit. I was sitting here minding my business when this fool wandered over.”

“Wandered?” I frowned. “I approached with purpose.”

“Boy, shut up.”

My date made a disgusted sound before turning and walking away.

I watched her go.

Then looked back at Zari.

She stared at me.

I stared at her.

“You ain't shit,” she said.

“Now how I get blamed?”

“You left that girl sitting over there to come bother me.”

“First of all, she was talking about her cousin for forty-five minutes.”

Zari blinked. “So?”

“I don't know that lady cousin.”

That did it.

She bent forward laughing, one hand gripping the edge of the bar.

I couldn't help smiling.

Yeah.

I liked that shit.