Indisputably Yours

25.

"Oh my God!" Candice shrieked, pulling me into a hug that left me momentarily breathless. "You're back! and you're glowing, damn, must have been one buzzing beacation!"

The scent of her familiar perfume triggered a rush of nostalgia in me. I laughed, wiggling to break free. My girl had a bear grip. "You're killing me, Candice, I can't breathe."

"Shit sorry." She let me go, her body bubbling with excitement. It had only been a few weeks since we last saw each other but she looked so different. I spotted new tattoos and piercings and she'd also dyed her beautiful afro hair cherry red. "But no jokes girl you're glowing. Look at you?" She gave me a once-over. "That sexy son of a gun who is illegally slash legally your husband must have treated you like a queen."

I grinned. "What can I say? He did."

She scooted closer. "I gotta get all them spicy deets. Come on, spill them tasty beans."

"Well..." I drawled, instinctively touching my neck, wanting to play with my diamond pedant but I remembered taking it off and shoving it into my purse the moment I stepped out of the car because this was not the kind of neighborhood to flash assets in. "It wasn't that much." I settled, not entirely sure if I wanted to share the intricate details of my European adventure with Tristan. It was still a lot to take in. It felt like a dream I could wake up from any minute. It had been a few days since we returned but it still felt so surreal. I grabbed my glass of lemonade and took a sip.

Candice gave me a look and grabbed her tumbler of amber liquid. It was a sunny afternoon and we were at an outdoor restaurant and bar just opposite the park because Candice was on babysitting duties taking care of her neighbour's twins. "What you talkin' 'bout it wasn't much? That fella flew all the way from NYC just to apologize to your stuck-up ass."

My cheeks turned pink against my will. She wasn't wrong. "Okay okay, it was...pretty good, I guess. He confessed his feelings for me; told me he loved me. We had fun, we flew to Italy as well and he bought me a lot of fancy—"

"Wait a second—" She interjected, her eyes going wide. "Italy? He flew you to Italy?"

For some reason, I felt a certain level of pride rise in my chest. "On his private jet, yes."

"Oh my God babes, you're living the IT life. I'm jealous. He's rich, handsome, in shape, did I mention a billionaire? And he probably fucks like a God. Bet you lots done had tons of unadulterated sex."

I almost spat out my drink, flustered. "Candice!"

She laughed. "What? Come on, did I lie?"

I grabbed a napkin and wiped my mouth, utterly embarrassed. "You don't have to say it like that, people might be listening."

"This is New York, no one cares." She leaned in and the mischievous look in her eyes told me she wasn't done teasing me. "Bet my five bucks it was very dirty and very kinky."

I couldn't help myself, I laughed at the things coming out of her mouth. "Honestly, I'm done with you."

She laughed softly and settled back. "It's real good havin' you back, Sienna. Things just ain't been right without you around."

I smiled. "I missed you too C."

"I'll be honest tho. I didn't like that Tristan guy at first because of the way he treated you but now that he's owning up I can only wish you guys the best."

"Thank you, Candice,"

"You're welcome. Now let's order food I'm starving."

I laughed and grabbed the menu.