"When we're you gonna tell me this Vinnie?" A voice sounded from the hallway.
Vinnie spun around, going wide eyed at the sight of Jordan standing in the hallway with carry out bags in hand.
"Jordan I'm so sorry I-"
"Aaliyah, baby don't apologize. This wasn't you. I want to know why my best friend didn't say anything to me about how he felt, especially since we're both invested in you." Jordan turned his attention from Aaliyah back to Vinnie.
"I didn't wanna make you upset J." Vinnie said.
"Okay, but this makes me upset. You know that what you told her is a lie. You know that I like her in the same way that apparently you do too. I told you that. It isn't the fact that you like her more than a sugar baby, or friend, or whatever she is to you. It's the fact that you didn't have the common decency to tell me first. Its the fact that you just lied to her face, telling her all I wanted for her to do was text or call me when she needs something." Jordan stated.
"But-"
"But nothing Vinnie. It isn't rocket science. I suppose that now you want me to just disappear from this equation, right?" Jordan said.
When he didn't get a response he kept going.
"I bet you didn't tell her that it wasn't you she was talking to the night that WE found her on that app, did you?" Jordan asked.
"No I didn't." Vinnie answered, looking down at his feet.
"Wait what?" Aaliyah asked, shaking her head in confusion.
"He was too nervous to talk to you after the two of you matched that night. I was the one talking to you all night. I sent you the money the next day." Jordan said, staring holes through Vinnie as he explained.
Aaliyah's eyes shot between the two of them. She didn't feel betrayed, upset, mad. Just confused and she didn't want either of them to leave without resolving this first.
"You brought food right?" Aaliyah asked, gesturing to the bags in his hand.
"Yeah. The meeting was cancelled so I picked up food for all of us why?" Jordan asked.
"Go downstairs and set the table. Vinnie and I will be down in a minute. We all need to talk and resolve this. There's a lot to unpack and work out." Aaliyah said.
Jordan nodded, going back downstairs to do what she said. Aaliyah turned to Vinnie who was staring at his hands in embarrassment.
"Talk to me." Aaliyah crouched in front of him, pulling his hands into hers.
"There's nothing to talk about. He already exposed me." Vinnie shrugged.
"But I'm not mad about that. So what Vin! You were shy and that's fine because I still feel shy with you guys sometimes and it's been a year." Aaliyah chuckled softly.
Vinnie smiled softly but she could tell it was fake and forced. She frowned softly at him, luckily he didn't see. She pulled his hand gently, motioning for him to stand which he did.
Once they reached the dinner table Vinnie sat down next to Jordan. Aaliyah remained standing, looking between the two of them.
"Before we even begin this conversation, you two need to agree that you aren't going to let a girl ruin your friendship. Agree, now." Aaliyah instructed.
Vinnie looked up at Jordan who looked back at him. Vinnie gave him a soft smile and held out his hand, waiting for Jordan to shake it in agreement. Jordan smiled back at him and shook his hand.
"Okay so now we can begin!" Aaliyah said excitedly, sitting at the table and beginning to open up the bags of food.
