Betrayed - By Suzetta Perkins Page 0,30

you’re never a third wheel. If it makes you feel better, we can pretend that Keith is taking the both of us out.”

“It’s all right, Nikki. I don’t need a man to complete me, even though Deon and I are getting along quite well.”

“I wasn’t trying to imply you did. I want you to be comfortable with the arrangement because we’ll be three friends out for pizza and enjoying each other’s company.”

“Okay with me.”

“Who cares what other people think anyway?” Afrika asked. “We’re individuals with independent thinking. We must rise beyond the childishness of high school and act like the adults we’re destined to become.”

Asia scrunched up her face until her mouth was twisted into some abstract art form. “Did you learn that in Psychology 101 or are you one of those reincarnated beings that have returned to earth to set the Generation X population straight?”

Now it was Afrika’s turn to look at Asia in amazement. “Look at us. All this mumbo jumbo because we talked about going out for some pizza—with Keith.”

“I know. Silly, huh?” Asia said with a grin.

“Yep. Let’s worry about lunch first.”

The girls headed into the cafeteria. Afrika pulled out her Eagle card and gave it to the cashier to swipe.

“I’m sorry, your card is declined,” the cashier said, handing the card back to Afrika.

“Declined?” Afrika asked. “I used it yesterday. I have a meal plan.”

“Well, baby, there’s nothing I can do. You need to check with the business office.”

“Would you mind trying again?” Afrika pushed. “I don’t understand this.”

An ugly frown formed on the cashier’s face. “Give me the card,” the cashier said in a gruff voice. Afrika passed the card to the lady with a glare on her face. “Declined,” the cashier said again. “Next.”

“Nikki, I’ll pay for your lunch. There has to be some explanation. Please swipe it twice,” Asia said to the cashier, who still had an ill look on her face.

Afrika rolled her eyes and twisted her foot. She put her card in her backpack and walked with Asia to get her food in silence.

“There’s got to be some explanation,” Asia said again.

“You’re right. But what pisses me off more is how that woman looked at me like I was trying to get in free. I have a meal plan for the whole semester. I’ve eaten in here every day since I arrived on campus. They’re going to fix this today.”

“Well, let’s go eat now. You can take care of that after lunch.”

MIMI PRIMPED IN THE BATHROOM MIRROR, FINALLY DABBING HER lips with a burnt-orange lipgloss. With her rat-tail comb, she lifted her hair a little in the center, brushed her sides down, and then patted her lips together one last time. Mimi seemed pleased at the reflection in the mirror that smiled back.

She let out a sigh as she walked from the bathroom into her bedroom and took a quick spin in front of the floor-length mirror. Several outfits lay across the bed as Mimi contemplated what to wear. First it was a cute summer dress, and even though it was October, it was still warm outside. But she dismissed it. Then she thought a nice salmon-colored pantsuit would do, but that might have been too much. It was only a casual lunch with an old friend. Finally, Mimi pulled out a cute pumpkin-colored chemise that hit just above the knees—enough to show off a little leg, but not so much that his mind would wander while they were having a heart-to-heart conversation. The scoop of the neck showed enough cleavage to make him want a second helping. Mimi was pleased.

Lunch with John was to be a catch up session about old times, Mimi told herself. Nothing more, nothing less, except she warned him that she had to discuss a personal matter with him that was part of her past. Mimi looked forward to their meeting, although having to break her lunch date with Brenda was more difficult than she had anticipated. Clearly, Brenda was annoyed but mostly pissed off because Mimi had waited until the last half of the last minute to tell her. And Brenda hung up without saying goodbye.

Mimi dismissed her phone call with Brenda and concentrated on her lunch date. She grabbed her purse, locked the door, and went into the garage and got into her car. She eased out slowly, let the garage door down, and looked around. She didn’t like the idea that Victor had been lurking around her place sight unseen. Seeing no

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