Chapter Niyah
NIYAH
“Hey! I’m glad you could make it,” Bella greeted enthusiastically. “How did you get out of having dinner at your mom’s?”
“I didn’t,” Bella scoffed. “I got there early and stayed long enough to swallow a few insults and push some rather disgusting stew around on my plate. And then, I promptly got the fuck outta there.”
Bella laughed. “Girl, your mother is something else.”
“Tell me about.”
Bella took a step back to gauge Niyah’s appearance. “You look pretty.”
“Well, thank you. I work so much and I’m just glad to have a reason to put on something other than coveralls and a lab coat.”
Bella smiled and looked past her. Niyah didn’t need to turn around to see what or who she was looking at. Her friend’s mischievous smile told her all she needed to know. Alexander Creed was surely approaching her from the rear. And somehow, she could feel his eyes on her.
Niyah had noticed him when she entered the dining room.
How could she not? Xander Creed possessed a beauty that stood out.
He was tall, ridiculously handsome with striking blue eyes.
And the fact that he was wealthy didn’t hurt.
Attracting women couldn’t have been a problem for him.
In fact, almost every time she’d seen him, he was with a different skinny blonde.
That was why Niyah didn’t understand why he was interested in her. She was neither blonde nor skinny.
“He’s on your six,” Bella warned with a grin.
Niyah turned just as Lucas stepped up and threw an arm around Bella.
“What’s up, Doc? How are you?” he asked with a friendly smile.
“I’m doing well,” Niyah returned with a smile, handing him a gift bag containing a bottle of wine. “Happy Birthday.”
Lucas released Bella and pulled the bottle from the bag. “Oo la la! Pino Noir from the Silver Oak Cellar...”
“Bella says it’s one of your favorites.”
“And Bella is right. Thank you,” Lucas extended with a hug.
“You are welcome.”
Lucas took a step back and raised a mischievous brow. He waved toward Xander and asked, "You remember my brother, Xander, don’t you?”
Niyah gave him a look before turning to Xander with a smile. “Oh course, I remember Xander. It’s good to see you again.”
Xander caressed her shoulder and weakened her with a blindingly beautiful smile. “It’s good to see you, Doctor Niyah. It’s been a while, though. We need to catch up. You don’t mind if I dine next to you, do you?”
Niyah blinked over at Bella for help, but she offered none. She simply stood next to her man, offering the same goofy grin as he did. It was clear that Niyah was on her own. She cleared her throat and looked up at Xander. “Of course. Let’s catch up.”
“Great.” Xander scanned the room as if he were looking for someone. “I don’t see a server anywhere. So, how about I get you something from the bar? What would you like?”
“I’ll have a white wine spritzer, thank you.”
Taylor walked up just as Xander walked away. “Wassup, ladies?”
“Hey,” Niyah spoke.
“Wassup, Tay?” Bella greeted.
Taylor looked around and blew out a harsh breath. “I’m sicka dey asses already.”
Bella laughed. “Who you telling?”
Niyah moved closer to Taylor. “How do you fit all these men in your house?”
Taylor shook her head. “We’re not at the house. We’ve been staying in our apartment in Storm Tower. They’ve perched themselves in the hall and at every entrance. They’ve practically taken over the floor below us.”
“But they’re not inside?” Bella asked.
“No, thank God.”
“Well, at least you get some privacy at home,” Niyah remarked. “Because they’re on your ass out here.”
“I know,” Taylor agreed with a chuckle. She looked over at Bella. “When are we sitting for dinner? I’m hungry as hell.”
“We’re waiting for Jaysen. He just texted saying he was five minutes away.”
Taylor turned to Niyah with a raised brow. “So, are you still playing hard to get?”
Niyah rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what you're talking about.”
“Heffa, you know exactly what she’s talking about!” Bella blurted. “Why won’t you give Xander no play? I mean... I don’t get it. He is fine as hell and rich as fuck.”
Niyah shrugged. “Good for him.”
Taylor grinned. “It’s because he’s white, isn’t it?”
Niyah laughed. “No, it’s not!”
But it was.
At least it was one of the reasons she avoided a romantic entanglement with Xander. Niyah also felt they had nothing in common. In addition, if she were to judge by the women she’d seen him with, she wasn’t even his type.
For more than one reason, Niyah was uninterested in exposing herself to the difficulties of an interracial relationship.
She’d seen firsthand how a white person could commit to a black person and still possess racial biases.
And she was reminded of that very thought process every time she was in her mother’s presence.
“Finally!” someone shouted.
Jaysen had arrived and thankfully redirected Bella and Taylor’s attention. It didn’t take long for Taylor to hustle everyone to their seats. When Xander returned, he sat two glasses on the table and pulled out a chair for Niyah.
“Thank you,” she said as she sat.
Xander took the seat next to her and handed over her glass of wine.
Niyah thanked him again and tucked herself under the table.
A succession of servers entered the dining room carrying pitchers of water and bottles of white and red wine.
Niyah hadn’t eaten much at all at her mother’s house, so she found herself enthusiastically awaiting the first bite.
Xander leaned closer, invading her senses with a scent that she wanted to be wrapped up and rocked to sleep in. “I’m curious, Niyah. What made you want to become a medical examiner? Is that something one dreams of growing up to be?”
Niyah laughed. “I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. Being a voice for victims became a calling later in life.”
Xander smiled, gifting her perfect white teeth. “Why?” he breathed.
“I have my reasons, Mr. Creed,” Niyah assured.
“Maybe someday you’ll share them with me.”
“Maybe someday,” she softly retorted.
The sound of sterling silver tapping against fine crystal directed everyone's attention to Bella.
“I guess we oughta toast to the old man.”
After a round of soft laughter and a frown from Lucas, Bella stood and raised her glass.
“What can I say about the man who put in the work and convinced me that I couldn’t live without him?
The best I can come up with is, I do. And for the rest of my life, I look forward to spending every birthday with you. I love you and...”
In an attempt to stifle her emotions, she forced a smile. Niyah was a bit surprised by the display. Bella had a tough exterior and wasn’t known to get choked up.
Lucas stood. He grabbed her hand and lifted it to her lips. “I love you, sweetheart.”
Bella swiped a tear from her cheek. “Happy Birthday.”
“Happy Birthday!” everyone shouted in unison.
Lucas lifted his glass toward his guests. “Thank you.”
He turned to Bella. “Thank you,” he expressed, following with a sweet kiss to her lips.