Free Sweet Little Lies by Michele Grant

holdup?” She put her hand on her hip and smiled.
    “Oprah here wanted to talk about feelings and the like.” I gestured to Jimmy.
    “Is that right? What’s he coming with?”
    “He says we have a vibe,” I teased, and walked toward her.
    “You and me?”
    “Me and you.”
    “Hmm. Interesting. And he based this on the thirty minutes since we walked in the door?”
    “Apparently.”
    “That’s impressive. Listen, you two boys wanna light some aromatherapy candles and watch
Sex and the City
reruns, or you want to go to the hottest party in town tonight?”
    Jimmy hopped up.“Wait a minute, C-Money. I’m invited, too?”
    She raised a brow at me and I nodded. Why not?
    “If you promise never to call me C-Money again, can snatch something to change into in the next two minutes, you’re in.”
    Jimmy twirled around.“Score! What I tell you, Steezy? On that come-up! Hey, you think I’ll meet some of the rap groupies? My God, I’m about to slay at the party.Y’all not even knowing! Don’t leave without me!” He ran down the hall to his room.
    “You already regret inviting him, don’t you?”
    “I do. But hey, it’s only for one night.”
    I sat on the edge of the bed. “You’re very live-in-themoment these days, aren’t you?”
    She perched on my lap. “I guess I am. I’m not thinking about it.”
    “Going with the flow?” I ran my lips up the side of her neck to just below her ear.
    She leaned into me.“Riding the wave.”
    “Come what may.” I nibbled across her jaw to her mouth.
    “Gotta problem with that?” She turned to meet my lips.
    We kissed once and then twice before I pulled back.“Since I’m the direct recipient of your wave riding…no. I have no problems with it at all.”
    “Good answer.”
    “You like that?” I smiled against her lips.
    “You know I do.” Her lips curved upward.
    “Ah hell, naw!” Jimmy’s voice interrupted some definite plans I had for the next few minutes. “Are you two going be slobbing each other up all night? ’Cause I could stay home and watch cable for that!”
    “Your boy’s an idiot,” Christina said as she hopped up from my lap.
    “This is true.”
    “But in a mostly harmless way.”
    “Let’s hope so.”
    “Come on now, good people.” Jimmy raised his arms up and started shaking his behind.“Let’s go booty bump with the beautiful people.”
    “This living-in-the-moment thing may have a repercussion or two,” Christina said as she followed Jimmy’s gyrating ass down the hallway.
    “Wait a second!” Rob, the youngest of my roommates, called out as we marched past. Rob was a baby-faced, light-skinned, heavyset senior from upstate New York. He was a double major—computer science and graphic design—and planned to blaze a trail in the world of computer gaming after graduation. If Jimmy was the clown, Rob was the cool nerd. The term “geek chic” was invented to describe guys like Rob. “Where you headed?”
    Christina and I exchanged glances. I shrugged. It was up to her.
    With a sigh, she reached in her purse.“This is my last pass to the party. You can come and bring one friend only. Do not embarrass me or make me regret inviting you.”
    I nodded.“What she said. And wear something other than jeans and a sci-fi movie T-shirt, please.”
    Rob looked at the invite. “Dude. You need to keep her around. She is useful.”
    “I’m outta here on Tuesday, so you have to enjoy me for the moment,” Christina said.
    I smiled.“I am—I definitely am.”
    A slow smile spread across her face.“Let’s go, then.”
    “Let’s get it!” Jimmy nodded and bounced out the door.
    “I may regret this,” Christina sighed.
    “Just remember this was your idea, Ti-Ti.” I shut the door behind me.

11
These Things Sometimes Happen
    Christina—Sunday, August 16, 11:47 a.m.
    C arey already had a table on the sidewalk when Steven and I strolled up. We were a little bit late, but we didn’t seem to be able to get up out of bed and