Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
In true Giselle fashion, she handled everything for tonight’s FNF with Quintus.
Because she’s been so busy hiring new escorts, we haven’t had much time to catch up, so I arrived early.
While the caterers and planners finish preparing the food and setting up her solarium for our Caribbean spread, she and I are in the theater room catching up and sampling tonight’s themed drinks, Rum Punch and Bahama Mamas.
“You could have told me the theme. I would have worn a cute floral dress or something,” I tell her.
“Girl, this linen romper is everything.”
“It’s black though. I swear if you change into something floral.”
“Girl, stop. I’m wearing this and you look cute as hell. This high waist and off the shoulder with those heels. Yes. Plus, you got the thighs all out. I love it but is hubby okay with that?” she asks with a smirk.
“If you must know, he loves my thighs.”
“I bet he does. I saw that glow as soon as you walked through the door. Marriage looks really good on you.”
“You sound like Alex,” I tell her. “She said the same thing at Elegance & Ash.”
“Well, if the stiletto fits, strut in it like a queen,” she says, smiling before taking a sip from her drink and I just laugh.
“Is he ready for them tonight?” she asks, excluding herself.
When meeting new people, Giselle is more of an observer than a questioner.
Kyrah and Alex will dominate the conversation.
“I think he is. I’ve warned him that it’s going to be an interrogation, polite and friendly, but still an interrogation.”
“They’re definitely going to drill his ass but it’s all because we love you. It’s going to be fun. But how are you two for real? Are things okay? Have you even decided what you’re going to do about your living situation?”
“Things are actually better than I imagined. I married a stranger, and just this fast, I like him. It’s hard not to.
Yeah, things are good,” I say, remembering our incredible night together.
Quintus and I barely slept four hours and I enjoyed every moment and every single second we weren’t sleeping.
There is no question, our connection is strong and our attraction is undeniable.
I’ve been thinking about him and us since he left yesterday morning.
“Because he has Niya, I’m going to do the main commuting.
I’ll be with him Monday nights to Thursday morning. We’ll be a two-home household.”
“Is his space big enough for you?” she asks and I laugh to myself because I don’t know anything about his home. I haven’t asked, not once. I’m truly just assuming it is.
“Yes,” is all I say.
“That’s going to be an adjustment for you.”
“It is but I think I can handle it. I might like coming home to a not so quiet house. You know?”
“Yeah, I know. I do miss when Skylar was younger and stayed here. I love when she visits with my little chocolate drop,” she says, referring to her niece that raised. She’s married and a mom now, living in Crescent Keys.
“I’m going to be fine.”
“Now, that I do know,” she says, then smiles. “But I do have a question. Should I be at the dinner next Friday?” she asks and I sit all the way up.
“You’re my best friend. Why wouldn’t you be?” I fire back.
“Mireya, you didn’t have to campaign your first election, so our friendship wasn’t a problem.”
“It’s not a problem now either.”
“The dinner will have your colleagues, constituents, and the damn mayor.”
“And my best friend,” I interject. “You run a legal escort service. You’ve never even had a damn traffic violation and we can’t say that shit about the mayor. You’re coming, no question, and it’s not for debate. Don’t piss me off in this theater room.”
“I just don’t want to?—”
I reach my hand out and grab hers. “Giselle, stop. You have been by my side since we met and I ate your free wings,” I begin and she laughs. “I’m not doing that dinner without you. Okay?”
Nodding, she says, “Okay.”
“Is the man of the hour here yet?” Kyrah asks from behind us, causing us both to turn around.
“No. I told him seven and…” I glance at the wall clock then continue. “It’s only six-fifteen.”
“Well, I’m starving. Move-in week is hell week and I’ve been going nonstop all day. Hell, all week. The dean’s office is not housing but everyone seems to miss that damn memo. I’m going back downstairs and grabbing one of those conch fritters. It smells good as shit in that kitchen,” she says.
“Don’t bother them,” Giselle scoffs.
“I’m eating, not bothering,” Kyrah says before walking out.
“Let me go chaperone her ass,” Giselle says.
“Go. I’m going to check and see where he is,” I say.
Giselle stands and goes after Kyrah. I grab my cell and call Quintus. He should at least be in the city by now. He answers on the first ring.
“Hey, kyau,” he answers.
“Qu-oy?” I question because I don’t think I understand him.
“Kyau,” he repeats. “K-y-a-u but it’s pronounced like a hard Ch. It means beauty, and goodness. You. My Hausa is minimal but I know kyau and that’s you.”
“I like that,” I admit, gushing. “I need to learn how to say it.”
“I’ll teach you, kyau. Are they waiting on me?”
“They are and so am I, but you have time. How close are you?”
“Just eleven minutes away. I just sent you my location,” he says and I hear the notification. “I made a quick stop. I didn’t want to show up emptyhanded and fuck up off rip, so I got them all something,” he says.
“Seriously! Like what?” I ask curiously.
“It’s nothing big. Just a lil something. Don’t you know you married a gentleman?”
“That I do know and it’s so sweet of you. I can’t wait for you to get here. I’m excited for you to meet them.”
“I’m ready too. I’ll be there soon,” he says before ending the call.
“Let me guess? Hubby?” Alex says as she enters the theater room. “I didn’t even have to see your face. I can hear the smile in your voice.” She steps to me then leans in for a hug. After she sits, she asks, “He’s still coming right?”
“Yes, he is coming. I told him all about y’all and it didn’t scare him off,” I tell her with a grin. “He should be here soon.”
“Oh good because downstairs smells like a private kitchen in a resort on a private island and I’m starving.
Giselle has given them strict orders not to let us sample shit until he arrives.
” She smiles. “And did you see outside? It’s beautiful.
Giselle definitely Giselled,” she says and I know exactly what she means.
For our friend, any get together is a production, which is why I never object when she wants to host FNF.
Hell, none of us object. She can host forever.
“Well, get a drink to hold you,” I suggest.
“Oh I got that as soon as I walked in. My Bahama Mama is downstairs.”
“Let’s go get it. I need another one and my stomach is growling too. I’ve been here since five and those smells are heavenly. I’m ready to see what’s on the menu.”
“So, she didn’t tell me either. I only know about the conch fritters because Kyrah’s ass figured that out,” she says, then stands. I get up as well and we head downstairs.
Giselle is in the kitchen and Kyrah is already out in the solarium.
After grabbing her drink from one of the small cocktail tables courtesy of the planners, Alex walks out to the solarium.
Because I see Quintus is arriving, I grab another drink from the bar and linger in the foyer after texting him where to pull into the driveway.
From Giselle’s tempered, glass, double front doors, I watch as he parks, gets out, and grabs bags from his passenger side. As soon as he reaches the door, I open it. Even with the bags in his hands, he pulls me in for a helluva kiss. I’m left breathless when he releases my mouth.
“I need you to greet me like that every time,” I say.
“I’ll do that every fucking time, kyau.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” I say, then peck his lips again. I stare at the bags. There are four bottle gift bags. He has one for me too but what’s inside? “You need help with these?” I ask and he chuckles.
“No. I got ’em.”
“Alright. Let’s go in. Everyone’s here.” He enters the house then I lead him out to the solarium and they are all outside sitting at the Caribbean themed decorated table, facing the damn door, looking stoic and stern. “Really?” I quip when I open the glass sliding door.
“Front and center,” Alex says with a serious face. It quickly turns soft and they all laugh. “Just kidding,” she says, then stands.
“Welcome to my home and our little sister group, Quintus,” Giselle says as she approaches. “We’ve been waiting on you.”
Before he accepts her hug, he places the bags on the high table to the side of the door.
“Thanks for having me,” he says after embracing her.
“I’m Alex, Mireya’s favorite.”
“And I’m Kyrah. Everyone’s fave.”
He hugs all of them and they remain standing, crowding him.
I smile when I get Alex’s nod of approval after I watch her scan his wardrobe.
She loves a man who can dress just like me and we both approve of his jacquard striped sleeveless tank, wide leg cargo style distressed jeans, and brown leather crocodile looking sneakers.
He looks casual, confident, and sexy as hell.
“Nice to finally meet you, ladies,” he says. “Before y’all attack a brotha, I brought gifts.” Kyrah laughs.
“Attack is a strong word,” Kyrah says.
“Strong but probably accurate,” Alex adds.
“Glad I came prepared.” Grinning, he grabs the bags back and hands the first one to Giselle. “For the hostess tonight,” he says, then hands bags to Kyrah and Alex. He turns to me with the last bag. “Of course, I couldn’t forget my beautiful wife.”
Almost at the same time, we each pull out our premium bottles.
Clearly this man listens well. I quickly gave him the rundown on my friends and our FNFs when we were together and he remembered what I said.
We each have our favorite liquor, but premium brands: Beluga Gold Line Vodka for Giselle, Macallan 15 Year Double Cask Single Malt Scotch for Alex, Clase Azul Reposado Tequila for Kyrah, and Black Ops Black Barrel for me.