Camay Dr.

Los Angeles, CA

Sadie's nails tapped against the marble tabletop as she waited for her. She didn't know what the exact words she was going to say but she knew the first thing that was going to leave out her mouth was sorry.

Stephanie coming on the side of her, placing an iced water with lemons on the table caused her to look up. She hadn't been here in a while and somehow just by seeing her face she smiled. "Chef's choice?" Stephanie asked, not bothering to write down the order in her notepad.

Without even saying anything, the bell rung indicating that someone just came in. Both Stephanie and Sadie's eyes averted towards the door. Cynthia stood there, pushing her wet curly hair over her shoulder. It just started raining so her clothes were a little wet as well. She scanned the diner looking for no one other than Sadie.

When they finally met eyes, Sadie gave a slyly smile but Cynthia didn't return the gesture. Instead she began to walk towards her with a blank look plastered on her face. This was going to be a long ass night so she thought. Just by the looks of it, Cynthia was still pissed and she had every right to be. She was just being a good friend and wanted the person she cared about the most to experience happiness.

What she said to her probably would never be forgiven but she wanted the two to move forward. And hopefully after this dinner, she would still have a makeup artist. "Oh" Stephanie said, stepping back to allow Cynthia to slide in the booth. "What can I start you off with to drink? She asked waiting for her answer.

"Do you have Patron because I'm going to need one for this conversation" she harshly asked. Stephanie didn't know whether to laugh or just stay quiet. She looked over at Sadie who sat there quiet. "You know what" she said, reaching for the paper menu in front of her. It took her a millisecond to look over the drinks before she came to her decision. "I'll have a sprite" she said

Stephanie just nodded and left the table to retrieve her drink. The two sat there staring at each other not a word leaving their mouth. Today, Cynthia wore no makeup, she was bare face but she still was pretty. By her choice of clothing, it's almost like she came here to fight instead of talking. The baggy joggers, the oversized t-shirt and the Vans tied tight made her appearance screamed she meant business. Across from her, Sadie separated her lips, instantly feeling herself getting cotton mouth. What possibly could she say? She was disrespectful and that's something the two never did—disrespect one another.

"She likes you" Cynthia spoke, looking back down at the menu. Even through all the tension, she was still willing to play match maker.

"I'm sorry" Sadie blurted, getting straight to the point and the reasoning for her inviting Cynthia in the first place.

Stephanie coming back with a cold sprite in her hands. She laid down a napkin first before placing the drink there. "Um okay" she scanned the two, seeing some sort of animosity in the air, "Sadie" she turned to look at her, "Chef's choice right?" She asked her again.

She nodded, not taking her eyes off the person across from her. Stephanie nodded as well then turned to Cynthia, "And what would you like?"

Her eyes still looking over all the entrees and appetizers, Cynthia's finger moved along the paper as she looked through. "Let me get a huh" she started, "be honest" she looked up at Stephanie

"Always" she responded with a smile.

"The Mac and cheese any good?" She asked, "you know some people mess that up somehow"

Stephanie laughed, brushing the loose piece of hair behind her ear. This was Sadie's favorite place to eat and although she never brought Cynthia or Mike here—the food was always good. It didn't matter the skin color of the cook. When it was all said and done—he threw down. "It's good" Sadie interrupted

Stephanie pointing towards her in agreement. "If I'm being honest nothing on the menu will leave you disappointed"

Cynthia attention went back towards the menu, "Okay well I'll have the Mac and cheese with the baked chicken"

Jotting down what she said, Stephanie stood there for a minute before politely walking away. "Now back to what you said" she kissed her teeth, "you're sorry huh?"

"Yes," Sadie's head nodded uncontrollably. She'll be lying if she said she didn't miss her best friend. Jodie showing up to her dinner unexpectedly was already enough but when she saw Beverly, her whole world crashed before her eyes. She took her angry out on the wrong person when it really was herself she needed to be mad at. Cynthia was just trying to help and even though she can be in her love life business—Sadie knows she means well.

"I'm sorry and if I have to say it hundred more times I will. I've been feeling horrible since that night—I should've never let you walk away mad" she said, "I appreciate how much you care about me—at least I know someone do"

Cynthia furrow her brows as she folded her arms and laid them on the table, "what do you mean by that?"

"I mean—you and Mike are the only ones that say you love me and mean it"

"And I'm sorry" Cynthia cut in, "sometimes I need to mind my business and after telling my husband about the situation he told me to do just that—mind my damn business" she laughed, "I just want you to be happy that's all Sadie."

Sadie smiled, stretching out her hands to reach for Cynthia. Once she noticed she didn't hesitate to take Sadie's hands into hers. The two smiled as Cynthia cheeks turned rosy red. "But can I say one more thing" she asked looking like she was up to no good.

"Oh lord what" Sadie faked rolled her eyes.

"The waitress" she nudged her head in the direction of the kitchen. "You know she likes you right?" She asked, blushing as if she was the one Stephanie was crushing on. "Chef choice right" Cynthia teased which only caused Sadie to playfully swat at her hands.

"What?" Cynthia laughed, "I'm just repeating what she said."

"Please don't say nothing" she pleaded, Cynthia curling up her lip—thinking about whether she should obey Sadie's order or choose to go against it.

"I don't know she's pretty a—"

Stephanie unexpectedly reappearing back at the table. Sadie shushing Cynthia to not continue the conversation any farther. Placing the baked chicken and Mac and cheese in front of Cynthia, "Here you go" she said softly.

She laid down Sadie's Chef choice that consist of chicken fried steak with gravy drenched on top, a honey biscuit with fried asparagus. "And your fav" Stephanie smiled, "can I get you two anything else?" She asked looking between them both.

Sadie shook her head no but Cynthia had other plans. "Actually" she lifted up her finger like she was in a classroom, "Are you single?" She bluntly asked

Sadie's eyes almost leaving out their sockets, she choked on her own spit. Stephanie confused but yet flattered, she looked at Cynthia like she had three heads. "Um yes" she uneasily answered

Cynthia picked up her folk, stabbing it into the Mac and cheese. She opened her mouth, shoving it down her throat as if she hadn't eaten for days while Stephanie stood there awkwardly. Sadie confused and very uncomfortable—not really knowing what to say. Once she chewed and swallowed, her eyes went back up. "Girl you didn't lie this Mac and cheese is good—I have to see who cooked this, they put their feet in this for real"

Stephanie laughed, "Glad you like it, I'll make sure to let him know" she said turning to leave

"Wait!" Cynthia blurted

"Just let her leave" Sadie mumbled, Cynthia giving her the evil eye before watching her body twirl back around.

"Need something?" She asked

"As a matter of fact I do" Cynthia nodded, "my friend" she pointed towards Sadie, "she's a little shy and I don't know why because she's a grown ass women!" She semi shouted

Sadie head getting lower almost wanting to bury her existence into her food and disappear in thin air.

"Can she happen to get your um" she fumbled with her fingers, "your number to maybe hang out"

If they didn't just make amends, Sadie would for sure had grabbed Cynthia by her throat and dragged her over the table. Stephanie smiled, looking over at Sadie who avoided eye contact at all cost. "So y'all aren't together" she raised a brow.

Cynthia almost spit out her food hearing her ask them that. By this crazy assumption that caused Sadie to look up but towards Cynthia first. "What" she laughed, "nah baby I like-"

"We're best friends" Sadie cut her off, already knowing where the conversation was going, "and please don't mind her, we're fine Stephanie"

Stephanie formed her mouth in the shape of an 'O' before she shook her head, "I thought you guys were on a date or something" she told, "not going to lie I was little jealous"

"Oop" Cynthia said, forcing another fork full of Mac and cheese in her mouth.

Stephanie laughed, pulling her notepad out her apron. When she began to write, Sadie already knew what she was doing. Cynthia sitting across from her as if she achieved something. "Here" she said, sliding the ripped piece of paper to Sadie, "this is my number but if you want we can hang when I get off in a few"

"She will!" Cynthia shouted, causing Sadie to roll her eyes but couldn't help but to smile.

"You have to be the best wingwoman" Stephanie laughed

Cynthia popping her non-existed collar which only made them all laugh in unison.

When she finally walked away, Cynthia focus went towards her food. Forcing herself not to look up because she knew Sadie was staring her down.

When the two finally made amends and talked over dinner, Cynthia left Sadie still sitting in the booth. Stephanie was getting off any minute now and they had an unexpected first date. While she waited, she did the usual and scrolled down her Instagram. It's been a minute since she stalked Jodie—she wasn't close to being over her, she just realized watching her every move didn't make the situation better.

"Ready" a voice said causing her to peel her eyes away from her phone. Stephanie standing in front of her no longer in her run down waitress uniform but instead some black jeans, a 2pac graphic shirt and her Air Force ones.

"Yeah" she said back, sliding herself out the booth to finally stand, "but where we going?" she asked following behind her.

Making their way outside, the sky was clear of clouds and now covered in a few stars. "You mind following me?" Stephanie asked as she looked over her shoulder

"Sure but I would like to know where we're going first"

"I'm not a murderer Sadie relax" she laughed, "can you just follow me" she asked again

Watching her face expression soften, Sadie couldn't say no. She nodded for her to go ahead to her car as she walked to hers. The walk there, she kept thinking about how she was going to give Cynthia a piece of her mind when they met back up. Going on a date was cool but not when your attention and heart was with someone else.

She hopped into her Jeep, slamming the door. Starting the ignition she pulled up at the end of the lot, turning on her left turning signal to meet back up with Stephanie. "What's Luv" by Fat Joe featuring Ja Rule & Ashanti played through the speakers. When she finally turned, she pulled alongside Stephanie's Honda Civic, waiting for her to lead the way to their destination.

After driving for what felt like thirty minutes they pulled up to a small building that looked like a run down bar. She parked next to Stephanie as she cut the car off and hopped out. Just as she was walking to her car, Stephanie was getting out. "Where you got me?" She asked looking at her surroundings. She was far from the uptown of Los Angeles and definitely reverted herself to the trenches.

"Come on" she smiled, grabbing a hold of Sadie's hand, pulling her to the front door. Just off the looks of it, it gave her weird vibes. The front door had bars on it and a sign that read "Beware Of Dog" plastered on the front.

"Ayo who this?" A random dude said pointing in the direction of Sadie. He was huge, he had to be 270 pounds at the most, she wasn't sure how tall he was but she knew she had to tilt her head all the way back in order to look him in his eyes.

"Damn DayDay this my friend" Stephanie scrunched up her face. He stood guard of the door, still eyeing Sadie like a hawk. "Move" she said in an irritated tone. She pushed him slightly not moving him an inch. He smiled as he twisted the door knob and held it open. "Don't be in there wilding either!" He told her, causing her to flick her hand in his face.

Once they made it inside, Stephanie looked back at Sadie making sure she was okay. She could hear music in the distance but wasn't able to make out what was actually playing. They continued down a hallway before they hit a dead end, it was long black curtains blocking the entrance. Stephanie pulled them back and "Can We Talk" by Tevin Campbell blasted throughout the building.

Walking in farther, the dim purple lights set a calm vibe to the environment. Older people crowed the center of the dance floor, moving to a slide that only they knew. Wooden tables and chairs were set up and a bar wasn't too far. "You wanna dance?" She asked

"Huh" Sadie raised a brow, "I don't dance" she said and sincerely meant.

"Come on" Stephanie began to pout, "it isn't nothing but old heads in here and trust me they probably don't even know who you are" she stated, looking back over at the crowd that was in sync. "Please" she waited for her to answer

Eying the surroundings, she was right. Everybody were minding their business and just having fun. She sighed as she gave in and nodded. Stephanie smiled, pulling her to a corner not too far from everyone else. She turned to place her left hand on Sadie's lower back, gently pulling her closer so the gap between them wouldn't be that big. "Just follow me okay" she said softy, taking her right hand into Sadie's. She started to two step and eventually she caught on. The music in the background had Sadie in a chill mode and having someone like Stephanie in her presence wasn't bad either.

Here & Now

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