Chapter 19
NINETEEN
Me: In the middle of the week?
Duke: Yes. Tuesdays and Thursdays have the highest viewership for political debates.
Me: It’s local TV
Duke: That doesn’t change the stats. We’ve got two weeks to plan.
Me: I’ll have Kenya rearrange my calendar and block it. I won’t have any hearings after two.
Duke: If you can take the day off, that’s better.
Me: I’ll let you know.
The moment I place my cell into the drink holder on my chair, Alex is all over me.
“Was that tight pants because you looked so serious as you texted?” she asks.
“Yes. The debate has been scheduled.”
“He still wants to debate you? Seriously?”
“Yes. I don’t know why. I’m up in the polls and have the backing of the D.A. and the mayor,” I say while shaking my head. “Richardson just won’t give up.”
“He should.”
“He definitely should,” I say, then sip my strawberry margarita.
It’s FNF and we all decided not to miss this one. The last one was with Quintus before our dinner and that was over a month ago. I got here about an hour ago. Alex beat me here for once but we are waiting on Kyrah. We’re always waiting on her habitually late ass.
“The food’s here. I’m going down to let them in,” Giselle calls out from the door.
“You need help?” I ask.
“No. I’m just leading them up here to set up.”
“Taco Express?” Alex guesses. The theme and décor scream Cinco de Mayo even though it’s the end of September.
“No. That new place in the mountain, Abuelito's,” Giselle says before walking out.
“That’s exactly why I don’t object to her hosting FNF. I don’t have the bandwidth, much less creative juices, to come up with these different themes,” Alex says.
“Hell, me either. She can forever be the host. Besides, she makes the best damn drinks to match her themes. I love it and love not hosting even more.” I take another sip of my drink and Alex grabs my free hand.
Lifting it, she says, “This really looks like Ma’s ring. That man is a keeper.”
“My husband,” I say, then smile. The ring, his word, and our dinner sealed the deal. Our marriage is real and I love him. “Don’t I know it. I fight tears every time I look at this ring. You know how devastated I was when Ma’s got lost.”
“I do,” she says while still examining my beautiful ring.
“He healed a little piece of my broken heart with this. I don’t think he even realizes how special this is,” I say.
My ma loved gardening. She even had a small one in the backyard.
When Papa upgraded her ring, he got a special one for her, and somehow Quintus got me an almost exact replica.
My beautiful ring has the same marquise-shaped diamonds that wind like graceful vines around the center stone in a signature organic design.
The only differences are mine is platinum, Ma’s was gold, and my diamond is two karat, Ma’s was half a karat.
“Oh, he does. Trust me. After I met him, I knew that man had fallen fast. This ring and the way he looked at you and held you at the winery proved it. I hope you are leaning in to all he’s offering you, because that’s love, something you are so deserving of.”
“Aww, thank you, Alex. Trust me; I’m leaning all the way in. I’m not staying here all night with y’all. After the movie, I’m going home to my husband.”
Smiling, she asks, “I know you’re not driving to Diamond Falls. That’s already your second drink.”
“No, I’m not. He and Niya are at my condo. They dropped me off and he’s going to pick me up. He told me to drink as much as I want ’cause he’s got me.”
“Aww. I’m jealous. Which one of his fine ass brothers is single?” she asks with a laugh. “’Cause friend, they are all fine.”
“I know, right. Ace, the oldest, is married. The other three are single. Well, maybe not Shiro, the biggest one. I think Kyrah has him on lock.”
“And do,” Kyrah says from behind and we both turn around. She’s walking in with Giselle and the young looking delivery driver. When Giselle leads the young man to the area she has set up for food, Kyrah walks over to us and hugs us both. “What about Shiro?” she asks.
“I don’t have much to tell. You’re keeping him under wraps,” I admit.
“Under these thighs,” she says with a titter. “But not under wraps. We are just having fun, enjoying each other’s company and fucking like rabbits. That fine ass man knocks my head into my bed frame and I’m loving every minute of it,” she adds with the brightest and biggest damn smile.
“I know that’s right,” Alex exclaims.
“I knew it,” I gush, excited for my friend. Her ex-husband was a trash ass and he took her through it; she deserves all of this. “But that smile looks like more than fun.”
“It’s not. At least for now. I’m really loving the no-strings-attached thing. That’s why I’m late. He called, asked if he could come over, and I said hell yes,” Kyrah says, beaming.
“Late for dick. That’s a new one,” Alex says. “But one I approve of.”
“Y’all can eat. I’m going to walk him out,” Giselle says. “This poor boy has heard enough anyway,” she adds while grinning.
“Whatever it is definitely smells delicious. I’m starving,” Kyrah says before standing.
“I bet you are, slut,” I tease.
“I’ll be that,” she says with a smirk.
Kyrah walks over to the food table and me and Alex are right behind her.
The food looks as good as it smells. If Abuelito’s tastes as good as it smells and looks, then they are about to gain a new patron.
There’s cilantro line rice, Borracho beans, avocado salad, a trio of dips with what looks like homemade chicharrónes, and a mixed fajita with chicken, steak, and shrimp.
There’s even extra grilled bell peppers, jalapenos, and onions on the side.
“I swear I gain two pounds every FNF,” Alex says as she piles her plate.
“All that Pilates and hot yoga shit you do, no one sees the damn two pounds,” Kyrah scoffs. She’s beautifully thick like me and we love and embrace every damn pound. Alex is slim thick and she’s addicted to working out. “Pile that plate up, sis.”
“Oh I am,” Alex assures as she does just what Kyrah suggests.
My plate is filled too by the time Giselle returns to her theater room. She walks in and joins us at the food table.
“I had to double tip that baby. He was damn near blushing when y’all were talking about dick. He looked younger than twenty. You each owe me twenty, shit!” she teases.
“Charge it to my heart,” Kyrah says.
“I forgot he was even in here,” I admit.
“Hell, me too. He looked over eighteen. He’ll be fine,” Alex says.
“Where did you get this from again? These beans taste, shit, good,” Kyrah says before putting another spoon of them in her mouth.
“The new place, Abuelito’s. But tell me about this dick. Who the hell does it belong to?” Giselle asks.
“Reya’s brother in law,” Alex answers before Kyrah can.
“Hell, which one? They’re all fine. Those African genes are magnificent,” Giselle says.
“The one that was all up on her ass at the winery,” Alex says.
“Shiro,” Kyrah says, beaming again.
“Oh, the sexy linebacker looking one. He looks like he can flip your ass every which way but loose.”
“Girl!” Kyrah says dramatically. “He definitely does.”
“Is that the one who owns the club in Diamond Falls?” Giselle asks.
“No. He runs the auto shop with his brother, Tre. Deuce owns the nightclub and we need to go. They have Grown Folks Fridays. We can do our next FNF there,” Kyrah suggests.
“I’m down,” Giselle says.
“Me too but after the debate,” I say.
“We have a date?” Kyrah asks.
“Yeah. October thirteenth. At the Irene Redmond Center. WCF-TV is covering it along with The Chronicle.”
“What time? You know we will be there, front and center,” Kyrah says.
“I’ll be watching from home. You know I can’t be there, on TV. My clients might feel uneasy,” Giselle says apologetically.
“I know you would be there otherwise. It’s fine,” I say.
I completely understand the sensitive nature of her business. The men who pay handsomely for the membership to TopPick expect absolute discretion and Giselle gives them just that, which is why I still don’t know which Bako is a member.
We all get comfortable in our usual seats, catch up, eat, drink, and eat some more.
By the time we start the movie Alex chooses, I’ve packed food to take home and I’m good and full.
I’m also one strawberry margarita away from being drunk.
By eleven, Alex is knocked out in a guest room and Giselle is stretched out in her seat.
Bracing my tipsy ass on the arms of my seat, I stand and walk to the food table to call my husband. Kyrah is grabbing a bottle of water.
“Hey, baby,” I say as soon as he answers.
“Oh, you’re tipsy. I hear it,” he says with a deep chuckle.
“Just a little bit,” I admit. “But not too drunk to follow the rules. Naked and fucking applies to my bed too.”
“I’m standing right here,” Kyrah snaps playfully.
“Girl. I’ve heard about Shiro and his dick all night. Please,” I scoff.
“Ay. Chill,” Quintus barks through the phone and I laugh. He does not like talking about his brother and Kyrah.
“Sorry, baby. Just come get me,” I say.
“Let me get Niya and I’m on my way.”
“Oh, Niya. No,” I say with a moment of clarity. “I didn’t think about her. It’s late and she’s asleep. Don’t wake her. I’ll take an iDrive.”
“The fuck you will. I’m not having you in an iDrive drunk. I’m coming,” he insists and I glance over at Kyrah.
“Kyrah can bring me. She’s headed to your brother either way. She stayed sober so she could drive there. She can drop me,” I say as I stare at her. She nods, confirming that she will, in fact, take me home.
“You sure she hasn’t been drinking?” he asks with concern.
“Yes. She only had one drink before the movie and has been downing waters since. She can drive. I’ll be home soon.”
“Alright,” he says and I hear reluctance in his tone.
“I’ll be fine. I love you.”
“I love you too.”