Free Thin Ice 3 - Armageddon by KR BANKSTON Page B

They’ll hit me up when they’re in place,” she replied as Kaitlyn nodded thoughtfully. The waitress returned moments later and placed everyone’s drink in front of them. Asking if they were ready to order, the women replied in the affirmative and gave her their desired choices.
    Sitting and enjoying their drinks once more, the women were all lost in their own ponderings as the sound of soft jazz began filtering through the restaurant. Kaitlyn was thinking about her being here and the reasoning behind it. She thought about the lies she’d told Tariq about the trip and how she was deceiving him. That man loves you so much, why are you doing this to him, her pesky conscience was back. Kaitlyn took another swallow of the drink, letting the alcohol float slowly down her throat. It wasn’t that she didn’t love Tariq, because she did. She loved him without hindrance. The problem was her. Kaitlyn felt empty. There was a gaping hole inside her psyche since her daughter was ripped from her life. Tariq tried. She had to give him that. There was absolutely nothing he didn’t give her; no place he didn’t take her. He spent endless hours trying to help her feel better and get over the pain, but he didn’t understand the depth of the loss for her, Kaitlyn continued to brood. Because you felt the losses spiraling out of control, her mind warned as Kaitlyn frowned slightly. She could never admit to Tariq how hurt she was that Ian was dead. Of course she didn’t want anything to happen to her husband that fateful night he and Ian squared off, but Kaitlyn had prayed all night that some other way could be found. She didn’t understand why she couldn’t let him go. She’d cared deeply for Ian at one point and he’d been good to her of course, but by now she should have been able to stop hurting. All the losses are still too fresh, her mind again tried to excuse. Kaitlyn wasn’t sure what the reasoning was, all she knew as being back in the game gave her a reason to smile again, to laugh again, to simply live again.
    Everyone was smiling and eyeing the other’s plates as their entrees were placed in front of them.
    “ Shit, I shoulda got that,” Tae chuckled looking at Kaitlyn’s Shrimp and Eggplant stack. “It does look good hell,” Jaleesa replied.
    “ Taste it,” Kaitlyn told them both holding the plate out.
    Tae and Jaleesa readily sampled the delectable dish.
    “ Mmm, girl that is good as hell with that creamy tomato sauce,” Jaleesa told her still chewing and savoring the flavor of the shrimp flanked eggplant.
    Tae was just as complimentary as she too enjoyed the tasty morsel.
    “ Told you heffa’s to try something new for a change,” Kaitlyn teased as she continued to eat.
    “ Don’t make me take your food,” Tae teased as Kaitlyn burst into laughter.
    The waitress brought them fresh drinks as they continued to eat and enjoy their meal. Finishing finally, all of them satiated, they paid their check and rose heading to the ladies room and then out of the establishment. Talking while they were in the restroom, Kaitlyn noticed that Jaleesa seemed a bit off. When Tae stepped out first, leaving them alone for a moment, she called her on it.
    “ What’s going on Tweety,” Kaitlyn asked plainly, looking her friend directly in the eye, making lying an impossibility.
    “ Later,” Jaleesa returned simply as Kaitlyn grunted and left the subject alone for now.
    *****
    “Times up,” Jaron told her, aiming at Corey.
    “ No, please,” Gabrielle spoke finally as the tears cascaded down her face. “Let him go,” she pleaded as Mace sucked his teeth, still holding her tightly.
    “ I’ll think about it,” Jaron replied getting even closer to her.
    “ Now talk,” he barked, inches away from her face.
    “ He’s not here anymore, he left,” Gabrielle said softly.
    Jaron really wanted to kiss the beautifully soft looking, full, pouty lips in front of him. “Where did he go,” he barked instead, knowing he