Chapter 10
Dyani
I cursed and hopped back when I barreled into a full vase of flowers.
I looked down at the red roses for several long seconds before I dropped to my knees and slid them back into their vase.
I pushed back into my apartment and set the vase on my kitchen island.
I looked at the now wet card on the side.
Miss you. -A
Arris.
A stupid little smile slipped over my face. I looked from the flowers that had just been delivered to the ones he’d gotten me for our first date. They were starting to wither but I hadn’t had the heart to get rid of them. I decided I was going to make time to do it when I got home from my meeting.
My meeting.
Shit.
I dropped the card into a kitchen drawer and hurried out of the apartment.
I was hoping to lock down a new client today who had the potential to bring in a lot of money if given the opportunity.
Even with my splintering headache and hangover, I wasn’t willing to let this kind of money just walk away from me.
I could always climb back in bed after the meeting anyway.
I felt like trash though. I wasn’t sure how I was awake, let alone functioning.
I called Arris a few minutes into my drive.
It was the least I could do considering we hadn’t spoken much yesterday.
It wasn’t even that I didn’t want to talk to him.
It was more so that I wasn’t sure what exactly to say following the night he, Jayme, and I spent together.
It was great. Jayme was fucking gorgeous and Arris was fine as hell.
They both sent sparks through my entire body with their touches, and even with the three of us all being together, I could fully understand what Jayme meant when she said she’d never questioned where she stood in threesomes.
There hadn’t been a single moment where I felt like the odd woman out, even with the history they shared.
I felt like the center of each of their universes, and when they were focused on each other, I was just so in awe watching them interact that I wasn’t given a chance to feel anything else.
That in itself was a lot to unpack. I’d never had a threesome before.
Knowing Arris and Jayme not only had history but a child had me questioning everything.
I wasn’t sure where things were going. I thought maybe the night had been the two of them reconnecting and getting back together and I was just a fun fling for them, like the many they’d had before I met them.
Arris sending me flowers somewhat put that concern to rest though.
Arris answered on the second ring. “What’s up, baby girl?”
“Hey. I was just calling to let you know I got the flowers.”
“Good. I’m glad they got to you in one piece.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“Yeah? You like the classics?”
“Of course.”
“Good to know,” he said and I was prepared to bet anything he was wearing a cocky grin. “What are you getting into today, Dyani?”
“Well, I’m on my way to a meeting right now to hopefully lock in a client, but nothing much after that.” My eyebrows knitted together. “Why?”
“I’m tattooing right now but I should be done by the time you finish. You want to meet for late lunch or early dinner or some shit?”
“Arris, you’re tattooing someone right now?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?” I asked seriously.
“I mean, it’s my whole job, Dyani.”
“I knew that. I mean I know that,” I corrected. “I just meant why would you answer my call while you’re busy.”
“I’m never too busy to talk to you,” he countered. “And the fine line work is done anyway. I’m just getting some shading done.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I snickered.
“Yeah, well. What’s up with getting together today?”
I exhaled.
“Let’s do it.”
“Alright, cool. Let me know what you’re in the mood for and I’ll make a reservation for us somewhere.”
“Okay. Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”
“I’ll see you then, love.”
I ended the call but let the high of it carry me to and through my meeting, which went well. I secured the customer and immediately reached out to Illiana with a wish list and a sell list so we could cross reference each other’s clients.
By the time I was done with the meeting and doing what was needed to make sure I could properly service them, three hours had already gone by. I thanked them for their time and for trusting me to help guide them through the buying and selling of their art.
The second we parted ways I pulled my cellphone out and dialed Arris. He answered on the third ring.
“What’s up?”
“I just finished my meeting,” I announced.
“And how’d it go? You dealt that art or what?”
I snickered. “Yeah. Something like that.”
“You feeling good about it?”
“I am,” I admitted. “They have the potential to be really good clients and they have some amazing pieces they already own and are trying to sell; so I’m excited.”
“Congratulations, Dyani. You deserve that shit.”
I smiled automatically.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“How’d your tattoo go?”
“It went well. Dude said he loved it and tipped me really well too so I’m not complaining.”
“And when is your next appointment?”
“My schedule is clear for the rest of the day, love. I told you we had plans when you finished. I’m standing on that.”
“Okay, and what kind of plans were you thinking?”
“We can just get lunch and talk. How about that? Low stakes and low pressure?”
“Sure. Just let me know where to meet you.”
“I’m sending you a spot right now.”
I took my phone from my ear to look at his message as it came in and immediately noted it was only fifteen minutes away. The headache I had from drinking seemed to get worse at the thought of us being together so close to both of our spots and the tattoo shop, but I didn’t comment on it.
“I’ll see you there in a few minutes,” I announced as I unlocked my car door.
“Alright. Cool.”
This time it was Arris who ended the call and I briefly wondered if he was worried that I would back out the longer we spoke.
I hopped in my car, grabbed a pair of sunshades for my sensitive eyes, and headed to the address he’d sent me.
Arris was standing in front of the door and waiting for me when I arrived. A huge smile took over his face and I couldn’t stop myself from mirroring it.
“Hey.” I gave him a little wave.
“Hey.” He placed both hands on my waist and pulled me into him.
His hands went around my midsection and he gave me a nice, strong hug. I felt like I could just fall apart in his arms at any moment and feel secure.
He didn’t hold onto me for too long though.
He took my hand and led me inside. He’d apparently made a reservation and they got us inside and seated in less than ten minutes.
We put our orders in and Arris leaned back, exhaled, and threw his arm behind the booth.
I looked around and shifted in my seat before I slowly removed my shades.
The light immediately made my headache worse and I groaned.
“You good?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I cleared my throat. “I’m good.”
“You sure?” He grinned. “You look like you’re struggling a little bit.”
“Alright. I’m struggling a little bit,” I confessed.
Arris chuckled. I smiled but stopped myself from fully laughing. I leaned my face on my hand and yawned.
Arris dug into his pocket and pulled out a little bottle.
“Take two.” He slid the ibuprofen toward me.
“Thank you.” I popped the bottle open, took the pills, and sank down further in my seat.
“So,” Arris shifted in his seat, “Outside of the hangover, how are you feeling?”
“Good. Like I said, I’m excited about this client.”
“I meant specifically about last night.”
“It was fun. I had a really good time.”
“At the club or back home with me and Jayme?”
I blinked at him and swallowed.
“Both,” I admitted.
He nodded.
“Good.” He sat up. “The last thing me or Jayme would ever want is for you to have regrets or think we set you up or some shit. Because last night wasn’t planned or supposed to end up the way it did.”
“But it did.”
“Yeah, and I want to make sure you know we’d never try to manipulate you or maliciously pull you into some shit.”
“That wasn’t a concern I had but thank you for letting me know, Arris.” I rolled my eyes.
That was never even a thought. I didn’t believe for a second Jayme tried to get me drunk to get me in bed or anything like that. We were consenting adults partying and consenting adults when it came down to the amazing sex we had.
“I’m serious though. I never want you to question that.” He looked over at our waiter as he set things down. “Thanks, bro.” He waited until the waiter was gone and leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with me.
“I had an amazing night from the party to the… night cap,” I finished lamely.
Arris nodded. “Alright. So, where’s your head?”
“As far as what?”
“Me,” he licked his lips, “and Jayme.”
“Is there a you and Jayme again?” I asked.
“Maybe.” He clasped his hands on the table. “And maybe there’s a you and me and a you and her and all of us.” He tilted his head as he regarded me. “I’m trying to check the temperature and figure it out, to be honest.”
“And have you checked that temperature with Jayme already?”
“Yeah. I have.”
“And what did she say?” I plucked my glass up and took a sip.
“Does it matter?” he countered. I lifted an eyebrow. He mirrored the gesture. “I want to hear your thoughts and your feelings. I don’t want you to repeat whatever Jayme said or feed off that shit.”
“I told you I had an amazing night and I meant that.”
“Alright, so what’s up? Did the night cap,” he made air quotations, “change shit? Do you still want to try this dating shit out or did we scare you off?”
“What?” I scoffed. “No. Arris, I’m still very much interested in continuing to see you.”
“Okay. Cool.” He exhaled. “And what’s up with you and Jayme? Are you interested in seeing if there’s something between y’all too?”
I blinked at him and took another sip of my drink.
“I… Well…” I paused and cleared my throat.
“It’s not a trick question, love. Just be real with me.”