Her Bundles Of Joy

“Uh, yes, I am.”

“See? So, are you?”

Nicole was pretty sure she’d be blushing like a tomato right now if she were a white woman. God bless the melanin in her skin.

“Yes, I’m single,” she replied through gritted teeth.

“Isn’t that lovely? The two of you are single! I mean, single! My two friends. What a coincidence, I can’t believe it. Wow. I’m simply gobsmacked.”

The exaggerated tone of Brandi’s voice made it quite clear that she wasn’t impressed at all. Nicole now understood what the singer had meant back in the elevator. The sneaky bi*ch was trying to set her up with Evan!

“Brandi, will you join me in the bathroom? I don’t want to go by myself.”

“Sure.”

The two women got up and headed to the bathroom. Nicole threw Brandi a dirty look the minute the door closed behind them.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked.

“Getting to know you?” Brandi’s words sounded more like a question.

“Don’t play dumb…”

“Okay, look, Evan has been my friend for a while now and I haven’t seen him look at anyone the way he’s looking at you. Sorry if I think you guys would look cute together.”

“What the hell? I’ve literally only exchanged a few words with the guy. How can you say that we’d look cute together?”

“I already told you I saw the look in your eyes when you met him.”

“So what? Yes, I thought he was crazy attractive, but that’s pretty much it. The look you think you saw in my eyes was only attraction, it wasn’t love at first sight or whatever other cliche might have come up in your messed up head.” Nicole shook her head. “If you’re so keen on being my friend then you’ll stop trying to set me up with Evan. I’m not interested in dating anyone, so please respect that.”

“Don’t use the friendship card on me, it’ll make me feel guilty.” Brandi sighed. “Okay then, I’ll stop. Let’s all eat dinner and act like we’re three people among which there is absolutely nothing other than platonic feelings.”

“Great, that’s all I want,” Nicole stated before walking out of the bathroom.

Brandi’s shoulders slumped. She would have to give up her plan of playing cupid before she even got to start. Well, she wanted to be Nicole’s friend more than she wanted to get the dancer to hook up with Evan. She’d respect Nicole’s wish. As Brandi was approaching their table, her phone buzzed. It was an incoming call from Jenny.

“Hi, something happen?”

“Yes, somethin’ happened. You’re not at the airport, that’s what happened!” the woman exclaimed in a high-pitched voice.

“I wasn’t aware I was flying anywhere tonight.” Brandi frowned.

“Of course you’re not aware. That’s my job. We’re flyin’ to London. European radio stations tour, remember? Our flight is in half an hour, but you were gone before I could catch you.”

“I came to the pizza parlor down the street. I haven’t eaten anything yet, can’t you wait a bit longer?”

“No, Brandolynn, if you must know, I can’t wait. The airplane can’t wait. The pilot can’t wait. The passengers—”

“Okay, I got your point already! Jesus!”

“Don’t say the Lord’s name in vain. I’ve already arranged your dinner. I’ll be there in five. Wait for me outside.”

“Okay. Oh, by the way, never use my full name again!” Brandi shouted the last part into the phone, but her manager had already hung up. “Guys, I’m so sorry but I have to leave like, right now.”

“Excuse me? Brandi…” Nicole glared at the singer. Hadn’t she just asked Brandi to stop trying to set her up?

“Nicole, I’m being very serious right now, I promise. It has nothing to do with that.” She subtly pointed towards Evan with her head. Except it wasn’t subtle at all. The blonde man frowned in confusion at her gesture.

“Jenny’s got her panties in a twist because I came here instead of heading to the airport. I didn’t even know that I had to go to London tonight! I mean, I just got back to New York this morning, damn. She’s coming over to pick me up. Can we take a raincheck, Nicole? I’d love to meet up with you once I’m back in town.”

Nicole scanned Brandi’s face, trying to find any hints that the other woman was lying to her. It seemed that the singer had genuinely been caught by surprise with the phone call she’d just received. Maybe she really had forgotten about flying to London after the video shoot, what with her hectic schedule.

Nicole sighed. “Okay. You have my number, right? Text me and we can set up a lunch date.”

The words coming off her lips still felt surreal to her. She was telling Brandi Harris to text her! Her little cousin Dionne would faint if she knew that Nicole was on the brink of becoming friends with her biggest idol. Too bad that her uncle had forbidden the ever-so-cheerful girl to get in touch with Nicole. In fact, her entire family had stopped all sorts of communication with Nicole after she’d left their small town in Ohio.

“Cool. I’ll definitely do that. Enjoy the pizza! Oh, I’d promised you a ride back home, right? I’m so sorry, Nicole.” Brandi shot her an apologetic smile.

“It’s alright, I’ll take the train.”

“I, uh, I can drive you home. If you want, of course,” Evan offered with a small smile. Nicole stared at him speechlessly. She wasn’t entirely sure if that was a good idea. They literally didn’t know each other, Evan could be a serial killer for all Nicole knew. He’s friends with Brandi, though. She wouldn’t befriend a murderer. Still…you never know what’s behind the mask people wear in front of society. Nicole shook away her bizarre thoughts. She mentally cursed her parents for being so paranoid about every little thing and passing that on to her.

“Would you do that for me?” Brandi asked. Evan nodded in response. “Thanks a lot, Evan. I’ll make it up to you next time I’m in town.”

The blonde man waved her off. “That’s not necessary. I would feel like an awful person if I allowed a friend of yours to go home by herself this late at night.”

Brandi gave both her friends a quick hug before rushing out of the pizzeria. “Thanks. See you guys around!”