Free Beautiful Liar by J. Jakee Page A

“We all know what that’s code for.”
                  He said, “Code?”
                  I gladly explained, “Listen, when a man is really into a woman, he can’t wait to introduce her to his family and friends.”
                  Carmen wrapped herself around Ronnie’s arm and rested her head on his shoulder. “I have no doubts that my baby is into me.”
                  Although I felt my blood boil, I hid my hostility and changed the subject. “Try your tea,” I said to Ronnie. “…before it gets cold.”
                  Ronnie sipped and nodded. Carmen continued to cling to his arm. “Nice,” he said. “And by the way, I like it here.”
                  I beamed. “Really? This is my favorite spot along with this Moroccan Restaurant not too far from here.”
                  “I love Moroccan,” he said with a smile.
                  “Seriously? I’ll have to take you some day.”
                  Ronnie looked at Carmen whose smile had long disappeared. “Cool. That shouldn’t be a problem. It’s not often I get to hang out in this city. Why not?”
                  Carmen unlocked her hold and glared at her wrist watch. “Bae, we should get going. We don’t wanna miss lunch.”
                  Ronnie rose and pulled his wallet from his back pocket. “I’ll take care of everything. Where do I pay?”
                  While Ronnie scurried off in the direction that I pointed, Carmen sat cross from me with her arms folded, burning a whole into my forehead with her gigantic eyeballs. I smirked. “I'm sorry but I gotta ask. What's the age difference between you two?”
                  “Ten years. Why?” Carmen asked defensively.
                  “Hard to tell,” I said. “You look so old .”
                  She flexed her jaw and rocked side-to-side like she was hoping I’d say the right thing to set her off. Since I’ve never responded well to intimidation tactics. I gave her exactly what she wanted.
    “You seem threatened by me,” I gave her an affected grin.
                  Her response was quick. “Believe me baby girl, I have NO reason to feel threatened.”
                  With my elbows resting on the table, I took a sip from my tea cup. Smiled. Took another sip, and then smiled again. Before I sat my cup back down, I looked directly at Carmen and raised my eyebrow. “Better watch your dress before you get tea all over it.”
                  This set Ms. Carmen off. She jumped out of her chair and wagged her finger in my face. “I wish you would,” she begged. “I wish… you would.”
                  Before I knew it, Ronnie was behind her tugging on her arm. He was trying to calm his woman down.
                  “Ronnie, this is embarrassing,” I said standing up and waving my hands, “I can't deal with trashy behavior. Thanks for bringing my wallet, but goodbye!”
                  As I walked towards the door, I could hear Carmen yelling, “She said she’d throw tea on me! She said she’d throw tea on me!”
                  I laughed all the way back to my car. Moments later, my phone buzzed through my purse. My heart skipped several beats and did a cartwheel when I saw Ronnie’s name flash across the screen. It was a text message:
                  “Sorry for what happened just now.”
                  I responded: “It’s okay. Although, the altercation was random.”
                  I sat in my Range while I waited for his response. When his name flashed across the screen, my heart skipped a beat again. 
                  “It was nice speaking to you today.”
                  I replied with: “Let’s do it again .