Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
So yeah, tonight would be great. Or, you know, it wouldn’t.
The party was being held at the Georgia Aquarium. They had event spaces that were pretty cool because you were surrounded by large tanks of different fish.
Outside of that, the only good part of the evening was that Kira would be there. We usually spent so much of our time together, and I hadn’t seen her as much lately because I’d been with Will and she’d been… Honestly, I didn’t know where she had been so much. She hadn’t been calling or texting the way we always did, but truth be told, I hadn’t either.
As I waited for the car service to pick me up, I wondered what Will would think if he saw me. I was wearing black slacks, a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows, black-and-white suspenders, and a hat. Even though I liked dressing up, I never particularly felt that other people thought much of my attire. But Will always mentioned how cute it was, and damned if I didn’t like feeling cute for him.
My ride pulled up, and I jogged out to the compact vehicle. I’d made a random excuse to Will about tonight, but as it happened, he had plans too. If I were a different kind of man, I’d think the stars aligned or something, because we both had other plans on a night we’d typically be having orgasms together. But that was ridiculous. I didn’t think that…not really…okay, maybe a little.
I groaned when we arrived at the venue. I thanked the driver and got out, then shot off a text to Kira to see when she’d get here.
I’m already here. Get your slow ass inside.
I couldn’t help smiling. She was the only part of the night I was looking forward to.
Security knew who I was, so I didn’t have to show anything to get inside. I was led to a side entrance to bypass the line, and I felt absolutely fucking ridiculous about it. God, I hated this stuff.
Rap was playing when I went inside. The artist was an actor who had worked with Dad before and had just put out his first album. The venue was packed, the room having a slight blue glow because of the tanks in the walls.
The less time I had to be there, the better. I texted Kira again to find out where she was and made my way to her, where we promptly held up a wall. “What’s up?” I kissed her cheek.
“Nothing.” Her braids were up in a bun, and she was wearing a killer black minidress.
“You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself,” she teased.
“I miss you. I’m glad we get to spend some time together just us.”
She frowned a little just as I heard, “What’s wrong?” as Ali approached.
Oh, I hadn’t known Kira was bringing her. Not that it mattered. I didn’t know why it would. I loved Ali. She was great. It was just…well, I missed Kira. She was my person, and as ridiculous as it sounded, I was bummed she wouldn’t have my back tonight. She’d been to how many of these with me before? And she was always, always my ride or die.
“Nothing.” I shook my head, feeling like an asshole, before hugging Ali. “Damn, girl. You look good.”
“Right?” Kira said, putting her hand on Ali’s waist before dropping it quickly. I was a little taken aback for a second because something about her reaction was off, but then she said, “Oh shit,” and I turned around to see Mom approaching me with a guy about my age.
“Fuck,” I groaned under my breath, trying to plaster on a smile. I wasn’t sure this night could get much worse. I had no doubt why she had him with her.
I leaned against the wall and watched them. And, damn, I’d be crazy not to think he was hot. He was taller than me, with rich brown skin, his hair in short twists. He looked confident, walked with a swagger, and I waited for the nerves to hit like they always did around sexy, confident guys, but surprisingly, the nervousness was absent, at least for now.
“How did I know I’d find you three together against a wall?” Mom asked.
“I’m hoping I can drag Kira out to dance with me eventually,” Ali said, which wasn’t unusual. They knew I didn’t dance.
“How’s it goin’, Mama C?” Kira asked, hugging her.
“Good, baby. It’s nice to see you. You and my son have been scarce.”
That’s because I’m with Will, and I’m having a fling, and I don’t need you to hook me up, thank you very much.
Mom eyed me as if to say, Be good, before, “Jameson, you remember I told you about Marsha’s son, Damian.”
Yep, I knew she’d go ahead and try to set me up, even though I’d told her weeks ago I was dating someone.