Chapter 3
Essen
“Hey, you!” I strutted over to a table Loso sat at in a corner. The scowl on his face made me freeze in front of my chair. “What’s wrong? I’m not that late.”
“That’s not the issue. Where the hell do you have me?”
My shoulders relaxed as I waved him off then stripped out of my peacoat.
The cozy weather was perfect for my sleeveless sweater dress, stockings, and knee-high leather boots.
I loved crop-top weather like the next girl, but nothing beat the breezy months.
As I adjusted the neck of my dress, I noticed Loso’s big mouth wasn’t running.
I glanced up and saw his vision on me, yet the second our eyes collided, he redirected his attention.
“Did you invite me to Santa’s fucking workshop?” He gestured toward the miniature reindeers cascaded across the ceiling.
“Please,” I grumbled. “It’s beautiful in here. They change decorations depending on the holiday. It’s always festive, plus the food is amazing.”
“It better be. It’s dark in here, the space is cramped, and I feel like cinnamon is coming out of my pores.” Loso pointed to the present I brought with me. “Who is that for?”
“You.” I guided the gift across the table. “Open it.”
I rested my chin on my fists while Loso removed the tissue paper from the bag then set it in the empty seat beside him. I studied the tatted man as he examined the miniature cherry red Mustang I bought for him.
“The other day, you said you hate Christmas because it triggers thoughts of things you’ve never had.”
His eyes raced up to mine. “I didn’t say that.”
“Hm. That’s what I heard.” I snickered. “I’m not sure if you were joking about the toy car, but if you weren’t, that’s one less thing you haven’t had.”
With ease, Loso’s broad shoulders loosened. The jewels in his mouth added light to the dim setting.
“When I agreed with you at the party, I didn’t mean—You know what. It doesn’t matter. This is dope as hell.”
“I’m happy you like it.” I clapped. “What else do you want for Christmas?”
His lids went low. “I don’t know, but when I figure it out, I got you.”
“Perfect! Now, let’s order. We can get down to business after that.”
I moved from side to side in my seat as I looked over the menu. Everything sounded divine, making my tongue sweep over my bottom lip. I had been salivating over the restaurant’s Instagram posts for so long, I didn’t need to see the menu to decide what I wanted.
“Everything sounds so good. I want one of everything.” I moaned.
Loso’s silence made me shift the menu out of my line of vision, giving me a clear view of his twisted expression.
“Fix your face. It’s not that bad.” I pestered. “Nothing is catching your eye?”
“Nothing on the menu. I have never heard of a peppermint patty made out of wagyu.”
“Trying something new won’t kill you. That’s your problem. You’re stuck in your ways.”
His closed lip chuckle caused his frame to fall back against his seat. “All right, hot shit. You order for me.”
“I got you.”
Along with our food, we ordered drinks. Loso kept it simple, ordering a double shot of tequila whereas I picked a Long Island iced tea. I didn’t make it a habit of drinking on the job, but Loso was family. I knew I was in good company.
“What do you need me to handle for the party?” I asked after taking a sip from my straw.
Loso’s head jerked back. “I don’t know. I’m paying you to figure it out.”
“Okay, but you have to give me something to work with. I spoke to your mom this morning. She said her previous planner emailed you all the information we need, and she told you to print everything out.”
He retrieved a folder from the seat beside him. “Done.”
“She also said you know what she likes,” I continued as I flipped through the receipts, mood boards, and emails that confirmed reservations that were already in place. “Mrs. Terri is still the sweetest. She speaks highly of you. I never knew you were a mama’s boy.”
“Believe it or not, we haven’t always been so coo’, but the older we got, the closer we got.” He scoffed, urging my attention to find him. “I can’t say the same for my dad, but after all these years, I’ll take what I can get.”
“You could also go after what you deserve. If you want to rebuild the relationship with your dad, do it.”
A red tint stained his peanut butter brown complexion. “You make it sound so simple.”
“Not simple, but it’s possible. Now, for the party . . . According to the emails, your coordinator planned to borrow props to fill the banquet hall. Since I don’t know any of these people, I’ll reach out to my folks for replacements. A Winter Wonderland theme is common, so it shouldn’t be hard.”
“Damn. You’re already on your shit. I like it.”
“You know I don’t play about my work. That’s why you hired me.”
Before we could continue with party planning, our food arrived. My eyes got wide when our server set the plates down, giving me a perfect view of the small portions. Even though we ordered different dishes, I knew there was no way we would get full off the crumbs.
“Before you start talking crazy,” I started. “Taste the food then give your opinion.”
“You better tell me something. You know I was about to go in over these bite-size portions.” He reached across the table. “Let’s say grace.”
I gave Loso my hands, and I shut my lids when he began praying.
I giggled when he threw in a dig at the restaurant, and my cheeks got tight when he thanked God for my presence.
The second the word amen tumbled from his lips, I reached for a fork, a plate of pasta, and cranberry meatballs.
Hints of citrus touched my nose when I carried the fork to my lips, then butter soaked my tastebuds when the pasta melted on my tongue.
“Stop doing all that damn moaning. We both know it ain’t that damn good.”
Happy to prove him wrong, I swirled some on the fork and inched it toward Loso. A provocative smirk kept him from accepting the gesture.
“Taste it.” I poked out my bottom lip. “For me.”
As if I unlocked a vault, Loso’s heart shaped lips parted. A deep scowl painted his face as I filled his mouth, but when he started savoring the food, I spotted his hesitation melt away.
“Yeah, don’t front. You know it’s good.”
“No lie, it reminds me of Hawaiian barbeque. Sweet and savory. Nice combo.”
Though I had faith in my selection, I still appreciated that Loso enjoyed the food.
The bill wouldn’t be light, and I wanted him to enjoy the meal he paid for.
Happy with his reaction, I moved to feed Loso a piece of another dish, yet a roaring round of applause stopped me.
I surveyed the room and saw a lady holding her chest as a man kneeled in front of her.
She squealed and cried while nodding her head.
“Aww! They’re too cute.” I sipped from my straw. “What do you want the room to look like when you celebrate a milestone in love?”
“I can’t believe you’re asking me that question when you love to talk shit about me fucking different bitches,” he said, mocking my tone.
“I know a lot, but I don’t know everything. You could be the type of man that plans to get married at sixty. You only have a few years to go.”
Loso laughed at my corny joke as he caressed his beard. “That ship has sailed, baby, and I’m sure you know why. You’re just as ambitious as you are nosy.”
“Inquisitive,” I corrected him.
“Whatever you want to call it. Just stop faking like you don’t know what happened between me and Karmen.”
One of my shoulders flinched while I ran my finger over the rim of my glass. “I’ve heard things. What’s sad is, you’re more vocal about the woman you don’t want than the one you did. I’ve seen you with Melli more than I ever saw you with your ex.”
“You were a freshman in college when we started dating, so you weren’t around when she and I were together. I proposed the week of Christmas, and we were over before the new year.”
“Oh. So, that’s why you despise Christmas.”
He tugged on the collar of his cashmere sweater. “Nah. It started when I was young. My big brother, Lucas, died on Christmas when I was young. It’s not that I don’t love the holiday. It doesn’t love me.”
Loso’s sharp stare slackened on the ends. I had always known him to be more firm than soft, yet a tenderness touched his face the more transparent he became.
“Well, I think it’s all about perspective.
When I was young, the holidays reminded me that my mom would always put a man before me.
At first, it bothered me, but once I realized her sending me away during the holidays allowed me to be with my siblings, I had something to look forward to.
” I gathered air in my lungs. “It’s a blessing you’re here to honor your brother, and when it comes to the woman that let you get away, that’s her loss. ”
“You really think so?”
I playfully lifted a shoulder. “I told you. I know some thangs.”
By the time we left the restaurant, it was close to 10:00 PM.
Though we didn’t use much of our time to discuss the party, I felt confident the Bricks’ anniversary celebration would be everything they wished for.
Since I left my bike and car at home, Loso insisted on waiting with me until my Uber arrived.
We stepped into the night’s breeze, and I wasn’t surprised to see the downtown area littered with people.
Music from a Mexican restaurant up the block met us where we stood, and the aroma of bell peppers and onions floating from a hotdog cart made me palm my stomach.
“Yeah. That shit smells good, don’t it? I knew those little ass plates weren’t enough.” Loso kidded as he pulled on his beanie. “I don’t usually eat this late, but tacos and tequila are calling my name.”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve noticed you on your gym tip. The weight loss looks good. You went from Rod Wave to a bald Marshawn Lynch.”
“Oh, you clownin’?” He grinned. “Trust me, a big belly never stopped shit. I switched things up for my health. I couldn’t let my parents bury another child.”
“Hmph. I never knew you to be so mindful.”