“What’s up?” I spare her a smile while I’m wiping down the counter.

“Answer your damn phone. I was catching up on The Swamp People and had to drag my ass from the comfort of my home to come over here. Are you happy now?”

“So sorry to have inconvenienced you. How can I help?”

“You got any Sriracha sauce? I’m out.”

I nod toward the cabinet over the stove. “Up there, and Noah probably didn’t answer if you tried to call. When he and my mom get on the phone, it’s like a rerun of The Golden Girls.”

“Don’t I know it.” Mona chuckles and goes on her tiptoes to reach the spicy sauce. “Folks will start arriving around seven.”

“Need help setting up?”

“Nah. I’m keeping it basic. Just a few friends, some ribs, hot dogs, steaks, fried chicken, potato salad, watermelon, catfish—”

“Mona,” I laugh, interrupting her long list of menu items. “That doesn’t sound exactly basic. I’ll bring wine and some fresh vegetables.”

“Thanks, and Kimba confirmed she’s coming.” Mona’s smooth skin crinkles at the corners of her eyes with an excited smile. “The Three’s Company crew together again.”

My ears prick and my muscles tighten at the news. I lean against the counter and fold my arms, going for casual and vaguely interested. “Oh, yeah? Cool.”

“Right?” Mona hops up onto the countertop and leans back on her palms. “What do you think about Barry?”

“Barry? Barry like Barry Burrows, the math teacher from school?”

“Yeah. I was thinking about introducing him to Kimba.”

“What?” I choke and cough. “Why?”

“Kimba’s young and beautiful and successful. She may be too busy to stop and smell the testosterone. As her friend—”

“Who literally hasn’t seen her in twenty-four years and has no idea what she wants in a guy…but go on.”

“People don’t change that much.”

“Yeah, they actually do from age thirteen to thirty-seven.”

“I think she and Barry could be cute together.”

“Cute?” I grimace and shake my head. “Kimba’s not cute, and any guy she would be cute with is all wrong.”

“You’re not saying that because he’s white, are you? Barry is literally and figuratively invited to the cookout.”

“Pretty sure I would be the last to disqualify someone based on them being a different race.”

“Oh, yeah.” Mona grins and grimaces. “True.”

“And I’m aware of Barry’s level of wokeness. I did hire the man.”

“I bet Kimba likes her some woke white dick.”

“Could you not do that thing where you forget I’m a grown man and say inappropriate things to me?”

Also avoid things that make me feel like the Hulk inside, like mentioning Kimba and someone else’s dick in the same sentence.