Chapter 10 #2
STK was a trendy casual restaurant, but most people showed up in their Sunday best. Although that was the case, the DJ and overall feel made the place livelier. As soon as I went to check in with one of the hosts, I spotted Jade and Marshae standing just a few feet away.
“Happy birthday, boo. You look so good,” I said to Marshae as I looked her over.
She was dressed in a black, long-sleeved, off the shoulder baby tee and low-rise black jeans that showed off her curves.
I damn near went speechless when I saw her heels, the first shoe I’d designed and sold at the Luxe Addiction storefront.
The glossy, four and a half inch heel was something I’d designed specifically after finding it hard to come across comfortable heels.
The ones Marshae wore were a bestseller.
They were rounded, open toed heels with a small lock hanging from the buckle.
A woman could walk around in them for hours since the foam was denser and the insoles were padded.
Anytime I wore heels, it was more than likely a pair I’d personally designed.
“Not you wearing my shoes on your birthday.”
“Girl, please. These heels changed the game for me. I don’t have to take a break because my feet hurt or nothing.
I’ll pay you a hundred and fifty any day for comfort.
I spent so much money on Red Bottoms in the past that it makes no sense.
Thousands of dollars spent and most of them kill my feet,” she responded.
“I’m just honored you’re wearing them. Makes me feel good,” I said as I playfully batted my lashes.
“When will you be releasing new styles? I have all the ones from this year.”
“I’ll start working on new sketches in the next couple of months. I want them to be sampled and available by next spring or summer.”
Since I was in the fashion industry, it was important to me that I always stayed a season ahead.
That way, I could make sure the product was manufactured correctly and have time for a proper campaign roll out.
Coordinating photoshoots and finding several different models wasn’t an easy task.
Especially since I was a one-woman band.
“Well, just know I’ll be the first one at Luxe Addiction the day they drop. I’ll be bringing my man too. He can pay for all of it,” she said, making us all laugh.
“Jade, you look good too. You’re a little more naked than I expected.”
“Girl, summer is coming to an end. A bitch is tryna get chose. I need a warm body to wrap around when it starts to get cold,” she joked.
“Jade, please. You look disgusted anytime a man approaches you,” I said as I waved her off.
“Only the broke ones, boo. If a nigga approaches me and the first thing he’s throwing out is how much money he has, I know his ass is broke.
These men be having the nerve to have on thousands of dollars of jewelry and designer clothes, but don’t even have a thousand in their savings account. No thank you, I’ll pass.”
I agreed wholeheartedly. People who really had money didn’t talk about having it nor were they flashy.
I wasn’t saying it wasn’t okay to have a few designer pieces, because I had some myself, but when that was the central focus, it was a turn off.
There was more to life. Same when it came to money.
If a person lived within or even below their means, that was a good indicator that they were financially stable.
While the conversation bounced from topic to topic, we went to the bar to order drinks.
Marshae informed me that the table would be ready in less than ten minutes, so it seemed like a good time to start drinking.
My drink of choice would always be a margarita.
After taking the first few sips, I nodded to the beat of the music.
I had no idea what song was blaring through the speakers, but it sounded nice.
By the time we were seated at our table, we were on our second round of drinks.
Marshae told us about the birthday trip she’d be taking to London and I was happy for her.
She’d been with her man for a few years and I hoped she’d come back from her trip a fiancé.
As the night went on, I filled the ladies in on the current events between Allen and me.
Marshae’s only words of advice were for me to leave the nigga behind.
That was exactly what I planned to do. When the waiter came over to ask for our orders, I already knew what I wanted.
The ten ounce ribeye filet with lobster butter and STK sauce sounded perfect.
For my sides, I chose bacon mac and cheese along with asparagus.
Knowing me, I wouldn’t be able to eat the whole portion in one sitting, meaning I’d have the rest as a midnight snack or tomorrow for breakfast. To pass the time, the ladies and I people watched and commented on the different outfits.
I was downing the last of my third drink when a text came through from Shane.
I wasn’t sure if it was all the liquor I’d consumed, but the thought of him traveled right between my legs.
SS: Hey, miss lady. What you up to?
Me: Hey… Nothing much. I’m about to leave STK. Celebrating a friend’s birthday. You?
SS: Nothin’ too much. Chillin’ at home. Watchin’ TV for the first time in a while. I’ll let you get back to your night. I was just checkin’ on you.
Me: I’m getting ready to leave. You aren’t interrupting anything.
SS: What you getting into when you leave there?
Me: Nothing that I know of. My homegirl has an early flight, so nothing else was planned.
SS: You able to come through? Only if you’re comfortable.
Me: That’s cool. I need your address. I took a U-Ride down here.
“Uhh, excuse me? Who the hell got you grinning from ear to ear?” Jade called out, interrupting my trance.
“Ain’t nobody grinning from ear to ear,” I mocked playfully.
“Is that mister man? The one you were telling me about the other day?”
“It is. He’s asking if I wanna come over when I leave here.”
“Oh bitch, you better fucking go! Allen’s ass is clear across the country doing God knows what. If nothing else, let that man break your back. Get your damn lick back. Hell, get your lick back over and over again,” Jade said seriously.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have cared if Allen were out of town or still in Gwendal.
My whereabouts were no longer his concern.
I barely kept in touch with him when he was home, so the distance didn’t matter.
That was another reason I knew he was cheating.
If Serenity didn’t have his attention, we would’ve communicated a lot more.
The only time he wanted to communicate was when he felt me slipping from his grip.
But even that wouldn’t last too long. Shane sent a text asking if I wanted him to pick me up, but I declined.
I needed a moment to sober up a bit. I didn’t want to be around him all tipsy and acting out of character.
I didn’t think he would care, but I still wanted him to think positively of me.
After saying our goodbyes and sharing my location with Jade, I got into my U-ride and gathered myself.
The drive was only fifteen minutes, which I was thankful for since it was getting late.
When I made it to his condo, I called him before thanking the driver.
The phone rang twice before Shane picked up, letting me know he was walking out of the building door.
“Hey, beautiful. You look nice,” he said as he walked toward me with his hand out.
“Thank you. You don’t have to carry my bag,” I admitted.
“Celeste…”
Deciding not to argue, I handed him my bag of leftovers and followed him into the building.
As he led me to the elevator, I took in my surroundings and silently approved.
I’d driven past these condos countless times, but had never been inside.
A comfortable silence fell upon us as we took the elevator to the twenty-third floor.
It wasn’t until we stepped off that he sparked a conversation.
“Did you enjoy yourself? It’s been a minute since I’ve been to STK. Is it still lit in there?”
“Yep. I only go like twice a year, but I always enjoy it. Never had a bad experience with the food or customer service. Still lit. Tonight, they were playing a bunch of music I wasn’t familiar with, but I liked it,” I expressed.
“Oh yeah? What type of music do you like?” he asked as we approached his unit.
“I’m an R&B girl at heart, but I love old school too. I’ll listen to rap, or what I call ratchet music, if I’m getting ready to party. Hell, I’ll even listen to country from time to time. I guess I’m a lover of all music. It just depends on what I’m in the mood for at the time.”
I wasn’t sure what I expected to see when I walked into Shane’s home, but the space already far exceeded my expectations.
A gray sectional rested on top of a thick gray and black carpet with the matching ottoman centered in the middle.
The TV mounted on the wall directly across had to be at least seventy-five inches.
The entertainment center and black curtains hanging from the long windows that overlooked the city only completed the sleek look.
The energy in his home was warm and calming, instantly making me relax.
Before I walked too far inside, I came out of my heels and left them near the door.
“You want something to drink? Water, white wine? I don’t drink a lot of sugary shit, so ain’t no pop or juice in this bitch.”
“You don’t keep pop but you keep white wine?” I asked teasingly.
“That shit for my momma. I got some hard liquor in there if that’s what type of time you on.”
“Water is just fine. I’ve had enough liquor for the night,” I joked.
“Cool. Make yourself at home. The remote is on the table if you wanna turn the TV on.”
“I’m not in the mood for TV. I only watch it when I visit my mother honestly. Do you have a speaker? Music would be cool for now.”