Chapter 7
“ S he is so beautiful, G. You and Gentry created the perfect baby.”
Giselle smiled big. My friend had been doing well, and I couldn’t be happier for her. Akia had a head full of hair and the most beautiful dimples in her fat cheeks. I wanted to kiss them so badly. I knew I would be when she got older. So far, she looked just like Giselle. She had her light complexion, pouty lips, and dark eyes. I knew with time, that could change. I saw that happen with Keke and Vegas’s daughter, Brielle.
When she was born, up until nearly six months old, she looked like Keke with Vegas’s skin complexion. Now, baby girl was her dad from head to toe. She even frowned like him. I smiled at Akia as I stroked her hair with my pointer finger.
“So how does it feel to be getting married soon? Have you chosen a date?”
“I’ve been trying to let it sink in. I told them I would call and give them a date on Monday. I needed to see when I would be able to take an extended vacation. I’m so damn excited I don’t know what to do with myself. Plus, I want to make sure I wait a significant amount of time to where you can be a part of the wedding party.”
G smiled big. “That’s so thoughtful. My feelings would be hurt if you didn’t though.”
She laughed, and I did too. “There’s no way I could get married without you being there to witness it.”
“How many women would be in the wedding?”
“Umm, I think five. You, my sisters, Alexz, and Skyler, since they’re our sorors.”
“Okay. As long as the wedding isn’t pink and green. I mean, I look good in any color, but that would be taking it too far, sis.”
I put my hand to my chest in a playful manner. “Don’t disrespect our colors like that, woman.”
We laughed as baby girl stirred in my arms. God. I wanted this so badly I could taste it. When Arranged Hearts called me yesterday evening, I knew I was one step closer to what I wanted. I couldn’t believe they’d matched me so quickly. It hadn’t been but three days when they called. I literally had stopped breathing when I saw their name on my caller ID. They had to call my name out twice after they said they’d found a match for me.
All the planning would be up to me. The groom had only asked to be consulted about things before final decisions were made. However, he wanted the day to represent whatever my dream wedding looked like. I’d had a permanent smile on my face since then, and I had immediately called Giselle to tell her the news. Of course, once I talked to her about it, since she referred me, I called Keke.
She was so excited for me, along with Sasha. We’d called her on three-way. Her fiancé was finally home from prison, so it wasn’t often she was available to talk. I was surprised she’d even made a trip out here without him. Since he’d gotten out early, he couldn’t leave the state. My mama had promised to fly in early to help me with everything once I picked a date. This was just so overwhelming. I needed to calm down and let the news sink in so I could function.
I kissed the top of Akia’s head then felt my phone vibrating. I figured it was probably Keondra. They were supposed to be on their way here to see the baby. We would be going out again tonight since they were leaving Sunday morning. Tomorrow, we planned to spend the day here, cooking and enjoying family for their last day in town. I was shocked they’d stayed as long as they did. They’d been here over a week.
All the Berottes had left a couple of days ago. They had to get back to their lives. I couldn’t wait to make my way to Beaumont to hang out with them. With my wedding pending, I knew it would be a while before that could happen.
I quickly pulled the phone from my pocket, and when I saw Arranged Hearts on the caller ID, I quickly answered. “Hello?”
“Hello! Doctor Mott?”
“Yes. How are you?”
“I’m great. This is Kerri from Arranged Hearts. How are you?”
I noticed her voice lacked the excitement it normally had. It was a Friday evening, so maybe she was just tired. “Yes, ma’am. I’m ecstatic. I’m holding my beautiful god baby.”
“Aww, I can’t wait to meet her in person.” She paused for a moment, and that caused my smile to dim. “Umm… so I hate to have to inform you that your groom changed his mind about going through the program. His family was giving him an extremely hard time about it, and he said no woman deserved to go through the ridicule that could stem from that.”
My smile dropped from my lips, and my heart sank to my feet. “O-okay,” I said as I could hear my voice quiver.
“Don’t worry. You will be matched again. This wasn’t your fault or ours. It’s rare that something like this happens, but it has happened before. I would much rather this than him marrying you and it not working out. So this is for the best. We had quite a few clients come in this week, so the pool has been refreshed.”
“Okay. Thank you so much.”
“Please don’t let this get you down, Yunique. I’m pretty sure there’s another great man out there you will be matched with. Our team is working over the weekend, hoping to have results by Monday or Tuesday. I feel like your name will pop up again in those results. We definitely made sure to make you of high priority. You will be considered for matching before any other bride. Please accept my sincere apologies.”
“No apology needed, Kerri. Like you said, this is for the best.”
“Okay. Talk to you soon.”
I ended the call and allowed the tears I was restraining to fall down my cheeks. “Whoa! Nique, what’s going on?”
“The man I was matched with backed out.”
I couldn’t even stare up into her eyes. I was so hurt and, for some reason, embarrassed. I didn’t understand why that emotion was present, but it was. I held Akia closer to me and just rocked her as Giselle approached and knelt in front of me.
“Look at me, sis.”
I shut my eyes tightly for a moment then stared into her face. “G, this was like being told the day before graduation that you didn’t pass a class you needed to graduate. What will I tell everyone?”
“Baby, just tell them the truth. This isn’t on you, so please stop acting like it is. That man doesn’t even know who you are. Don’t take this personal, because it’s not, sis. He knows nothing about you. If his family is behaving badly enough to make him change his mind, then consider this a dodged bullet.”
“I don’t even know if I want to go out now. I’m not in the mood.”
“Oh, hell naw. You are going to go out with Vegas, Jungle, Kee, and Chelsea and have an amazing time. Don’t let that get you down. You’ll probably get an even better match. Do I need to call my mama to come over and talk to you? You know I will.”
“I know. She’ll have the entire crew in tow. It just stings a bit. I’ll be okay. You’re right. I’m tripping.”
“That, you are! Now unhand my child so you can go home and relax before your night of festivities.”
I smiled slightly and handed Akia back to her. I could sit here all day holding her. She squirmed as Giselle stood with her, then got comfortable in her mother’s arms, releasing a small humming like noise. She was the cutest and could give a woman going through menopause the fever. I stood and grabbed my cross body and kissed G’s cheek then Akia’s foot.
“I’ll talk to you later. I can promise that I’ll probably get drunk tonight though. I just want to forget about that phone call altogether.”
“I know you do, and I totally get it. Wild out for once, because your ass is always so cautious. You have Houston’s finest watching your back, so you’ll be fine.”
I gave her a one-sided smile as I heard the back door open and close. I was pretty sure that was Gentry. He’d gone to the store to get something to cook for dinner, since Doctor King had the kids. Clayton’s bitch ass was out of town on a business trip, and Gentry’s parents were visiting his brother in Texas. I still hadn’t had a chance to talk to her about what I thought happened to Clayton, but eventually, I would.
Sure enough, Gentry walked into the room, barely speaking to either of us, and scooped his baby girl out of Giselle’s arms. She chuckled as I smiled. One day soon…
“Nique-Nique, what’s wrong?” Keke asked, referring to my childhood nickname.
As adults, whenever she called me that, she was trying to appeal to my sensitivity. She could tell I was in my feelings big time. We’d been at the club for an hour, and I had already consumed three shots and a mixed drink. I still didn’t feel tipsy, but I knew it would catch up with me and hit me suddenly. I was usually pretty good at holding my liquor, but tonight, I almost didn’t care. I just wanted to forget the phone call from earlier.
While what Giselle said was true, about this not being my fault, I still felt a sense of sorrow. What if this wasn’t for me and this was God’s way of telling me so? I just wished I knew His plans for me. I didn’t want to be alone for the rest of my life. I was a good person, and I did my best to treat people right. What was wrong with me?
I made mistakes and bad decisions, as did everyone else, but why did I seem to be the only one suffering? Everyone I spent time with was married or engaged, even my employees. Whenever flowers or gifts were delivered to the office, I always felt a tinge of jealousy, wishing I could have that experience.
Instead of going home to take a nap, I ended up at Doctor King’s house, spilling my guts. Although I had spoken to Giselle, I just needed reassurance. Even still, I couldn’t seem to get out of the funk I was in. Thinking about happy moments in my life always included someone else, except when I graduated from school. I had no real successes outside of my career, and I hated that.
Glancing at Keke, I took a deep breath and decided to just tell her. “The man I was supposed to marry changed his mind. I don’t have a match anymore.”
Her eyes widened slightly as she grabbed my hand. “Did they say why?”
“Yeah. His family was giving him a hard time about the decision he made. He said no woman deserved to endure what his family could possibly put her through.”
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “Sis! It’s gonna work out, but I can see how that would be disappointing. It’s like, you were about to orgasm from oral and the nigga abandoned your clit. I get it.”
I frowned at her, and she fell out laughing. She made me sick. I chuckled and slowly shook my head. It had been so long since a man had sucked on my clit that I’d probably forgotten just how pleasurable that shit was. The rose had been my best friend for the past few years. I’d probably desensitized every nerve on the shit. I wouldn’t know how to behave if a man took me to ecstasy. My consciousness would probably drain right out of me with my cum.
Keke patted my leg as Vegas approached us. “Come on! Let’s dance. Stop overthinking that shit.”
I nodded and stood. When I did, Vegas smiled. “You good, sis?”
“Yeah, I’m cool,” I said as I stumbled slightly.
He chuckled. “You cool alright. Yo’ ass was about to hit that floor. I can’t carry you and Kee out this bitch.”
I chuckled and began grooving to Glorilla’s joint with T-Pain, “I LUV HER.” I loved this woman. Out of the newer female rappers, she and Meg were two of my favorites. As I rolled my body, Keke hollered, “Do that shit, Nique!”
I smiled big. She was always my damn sidekick. She knew how to hype me up whenever we were together. I watched her bend over and clap her ass cheeks, then emulated her. We were laughing so loud once we stood up straight. I hadn’t danced this provocatively in a long time. I’d forgotten just how fun it was. My dancing was filled with AKA step routines it seemed. Keke stood behind me and wrapped her arms around me and laid her head on the back of my shoulder.
I was a couple of inches taller than her. When she lifted her head and started smacking my ass in the bodycon dress I wore, I giggled. That only made me work that shit harder. I could see Vegas in my peripheral shaking his head at our antics. Keke was coaxing my H-Tine ratchet right out of me, and I wasn’t mad about it. Honestly, I missed this side of me.
The barmaid brought me another drink, so I stopped dancing for a moment and headed back to where I was seated to take off my heels. There was no way I would be getting fucked up and trying to walk in four-inch heels. I would bust my ass for sure. Once I rejoined Keke, she laughed and said, “Aww yeah, Nique! Them dranks got yo’ ass feeling right !”
I laughed and started dancing again. I could feel the perspiration accumulating in my cleavage, and I didn’t even care. My hair was gonna shrink even more from the moisture on my scalp, but once again, I didn’t care about that either. I just wanted to be free to have a good time without worrying about small shit.
I slowed my moves to take a sip of my drink, but my eyes met with a familiar pair. It was Harlem. Damn. What was he doing here again? I tried ignoring him. He left last time without a word. Although I knew I had rejected him, I halfway expected him to say bye, that he would see me around, something. I’d gone to dance with Alexz, and when I returned to my seat, he was gone.
He shook hands with Vegas, then Jungle, then sat next to Jungle. I turned away as I cleared my throat, then gulped my drink.
“Damn, Nique! Why you guzzling that shit like that?”
I turned to see Chelsea, Jungle’s wife, looking like she would fall over any minute. I chuckled and shook my head. “I wanted to be done with it.”
I set the glass on the table closest to me then went back to dancing with Keke. When “Drunk Off You” by Moneybagg Yo blared through the speakers, Vegas stood and made his way to us. He circled his arms around Keke, leaving me standing here by myself. Jungle had done the same with Chelsea. Suddenly, I was back to feeling alone and undesirable.
I went to my seat, although I loved this song. The barmaid glanced at me then made her way to the bar to get another drink for me. When she came back with another margarita, I asked for a shot of tequila. As I drank it down, someone sat next to me. I turned to see Harlem staring at me. “How you doing, Doctor Mott?”
“I’m good. What about you?”
He frowned slightly. My speech had slurred a bit. I was on my way to being fucked up. The barmaid returned with my shot, and I downed that shit like it was nothing. I turned to him, waiting for his response. “I’m cool.”
He was clearly distracted by this side of me he was meeting. H-Tine Nique and Tallahassee Doctor Yunique Mott were two totally different people, complete opposites, actually. I took a swig of my margarita and rested my back against the seat cushions as he continued to stare. I glanced at him and asked, “Is there something you wanna ask me, Harlem?”
His eyebrows lifted slightly. “Naw. I’m just taking in this side of you.”
He openly scanned my body, and that shit heated me up more than the alcohol had. Taking a page from his book, I did the same to him, focusing on his growing erection. Without even thinking, I slowly licked my lips then stared up at him. His gaze was intense. I stood from my seat and reached for his hand. He obliged me and stood from his seat as I led him to the dance floor. I pulled his arm around me as I began grinding against him. He wrapped his other arm around me, and it seemed, at this moment, I had everything I’d been craving.
He lowered his head next to mine and said in a low voice close to my ear, “Damn, girl. You so fucking sexy.”
My eyes rolled to the back of my head as he gently bit my earlobe then kissed my ear. He was taking me to a point of no return, and my good sense was fighting with the state of euphoria I was journeying to. I spun around in his arms, and his hands slid to the small of my back as I continued to grind against him.
He bit his bottom lip, and when I noticed the platinum grill in his mouth, I literally drooled on myself. What in the fuck is wrong with me? He noticed and leaned over and softly licked the shit from my face. I brought my hands to the back of his head and held him close to me. I wanted to kiss him, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to restrain myself from taking it further.
Feeling his warm breath on my face had my nipples hardening to the point of being painful. Quickly releasing him, I turned around again, putting my ass right against his erection as his hands slid down my body, taking a tour of my modest curves. When the song ended and switched to a more up-tempo song, Jungle and Vegas went back to their seats. Harlem slowly released me from his grasp and backed away from me as I stared at him.
I swore I wanted to take him right here. This shit was dangerous. I was waiting to be matched with my forever, and I was in here, without a care, lusting hard for a man I knew I wouldn’t have a future with. My mind quickly abandoned those thoughts as Keke smacked my ass, making it bounce. My eyes were still on Harlem’s as I twerked, and Keke rooted me on.
This wasn’t over. He seemed to be journeying to the point of no return right with me, but I felt like his restraint was a lot thinner than mine. He would tear me apart piece by piece, and I would enjoy every minute of it, until it was time to return to real life where I overthought everything.