FIVE
Jamir doesn’t bother exiting his Range Rover to open the door for me. While it may not be major, I add it to the list of things annoying me lately.
“Hey, babe.” He leans over for a kiss, but I swiftly dodge it. “Don’t do me like that. Sorry we didn’t chill last night. I came to have dinner with your fam, though.”
“At least,” I grumble, buckling my seatbelt.
“Baby, please. Let’s enjoy the evening, all right?”
“Fine. Go.”
Sucking his teeth, he mumbles under his breath and peels off from my apartment complex. We arrive at my childhood home in minutes. Aunt Zandie, Uncle Mac, and Trishell are already here. My cousin Colin, his big sister Shanae, and Uncle Quest show up behind us. I catch Shanae throwing me weird looks, but I ignore her ass.
At my grandma’s call, we settle at the lengthy dining table to feast on her soul food.
“So, what are the stops on the cruise?” Colin asks, looking more like Uncle Quest with his full beard.
Grandpa swallows to answer. “The Bahamas first, St. Thomas, St. Kitts & Nevis, and then back to Miami.”
“We won’t head home right away,” Grandma adds, all giggly. I’ve always loved that they sit alongside each other instead of opposite ends. “Staying with friends for a few days before returning to Baltimore.”
“Good for y’all,” Uncle Mac cheers. “Z and I could use a vacation.”
Aunt Zandie nods with her husband. “We haven’t gone on one in a while. We need it, with how much we work.”
“Can I tag along?” Trishell jokes, making her parents huff at her. “You won’t know I’m there.”
“Child, bye,” Aunt Zandie chuckles.
Shanae’s loud huff disrupts the laughter. “How was Krossfire , D? Saw you talking to the owner.”
The piece of mushroom steak slips down my throat. I snap my head to Jamir. He’s scowling at me.
“You were at the club but didn’t say hi to D?” Trishell points out. “Sounds funny, Nae.”
“She was in the VIP until I left,” she blurts, ignoring her brother bumping her arm. “Looked quite comfortable with Kross Krueger. Didn’t want to interrupt.” I want to reach over and slap her mouth.
Colin sighs and shakes his head with their dad.
“Is that so?” Jamir remarks before drinking.
“It wasn’t like that,” I explain, looking around the table at my curious family. “He’s a nice guy. He was concerned I’d be bothered by a lot of men.”
“Should have gone home then,” Jamir grumbles.
“Davia has a right to enjoy herself,” Trishell comes to my defense. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Sure,” Jamir sniffs and returns to eating. I know I’m in for it when we leave my grandparents’ house, and I feel like dragging Shanae by her braids for being messy. I suspect she has a thing for my man. Her smug smirk reinforces it.
“Anyway, tell everyone the big news, D,” Trishell urges excitedly. I love her so much.
“What happened?” Grandma asks, eyes bright.
I can’t contain my grin as I tell them, “Chavonne La Monte agreed to let me launch a solo line this summer.”
“That’s wonderful,” Aunt Zandie cheers along with everyone.
“Congratulations, sweetheart,” Grandma adds, squeezing my hand. “So proud of you.”
“Well deserved,” Grandpa laughs in his delight.
The sudden knocking on the front door confuses us. My mom’s voice resounds as Grandpa is about to stand, and the room falls quiet with her entrance.
“Hey, everybody,” she waves with a big smile.
“Hi, baby!” Grandma returns happily, standing to hug her youngest child. “So good to see you.”
“You too.” She hangs her jacket in the coat closet, more formal than the rest of us, in a black sweater dress and heels, her diamond necklace shining in the lights. “Food looks and smells good, Mama.”
“Let me fix you a plate,” Grandma offers.
“No, no. I got it.” Mom pats her arm and walks into the kitchen, grabbing a plate to help herself.
An awkward air saturates the room. Everyone’s watching my mom quietly, as surprised as I am since she hasn’t been to a family dinner in so long, and she told me she wouldn’t come tonight.
“How have y’all been?” she asks, sitting in the empty chair on the left of her big brother, Uncle Quest. She flashes Jamir and me a look before scooping up a forkful. “Haven’t seen you in a minute, Jamir. Glad you and Davia are still going.”
He nods politely. “It’s nice seeing you, Ms. Tanya. We have to take you out sometime. Been so busy at work, though.”
“That’s all right.” She peers around the table and snorts. “Y’all good? So quiet in here.”
“We’re surprised.” Aunt Zandie rolls her eyes at her little sister and moves her locs off her shoulder. “Nice of you to grace us with your presence.”
“Don’t,” Grandpa stops the looming argument. “How’ve you been, Tan? We’ve missed you.”
“I’m good,” Mom replies. “Heard y’all going on a week-long cruise.”
“That’s right. Visiting some islands.”
“Hmm. Sounds fun.”
“D says they promoted you at the consulting firm,” Grandma chimes. “Congratulations, honey.”
“Thanks, Mama.”
“What exactly kind of promotion is it, Aunt Tanya?” Shanae’s nosy ass inquires.
Mom sips her drink and gives her niece a tight-lipped smile. “Executive admin.”
“So you’re still just a receptionist,” Shanae concludes, returning to her food.
“Nae,” Uncle Quest warns his daughter, tone firm.
Mom angles her head and stresses, “ Executive. Don’t look down your nose at me, girlie. Your mama was a stripper.”
Uncle Quest drops his fork on the plate just as groans erupt. “Sheesh, Tanya. You had to mention that?”
“Tell your daughter to stop being judgy. You always let her run her mouth.”
“I wasn’t judging,” Shanae argues.
Colin scoffs at his sister. “Yeah, you were.”
“Let’s keep the peace,” Grandma intervenes. “Please. It’s so nice that you’re here, Tan.”
She dips her head back to her plate. “Food tastes so good. I miss your cooking.”
“Come by more often,” Grandpa encourages her. “We can sit on the porch like we used to when you were younger.”
A hum is my mom’s only response, and her silence remains for the most part. Following dinner, she hangs around to chat with Grandma and takes off after a wave to me.
Jamir and I wish my grandparents a safe cruise and head out with everyone else.
As we file into the car, I say, “I’m glad my mom came to dinner. It’s been a while. I wish we could spend more time together outside of me giving her money.”
“That’s none of my business. Talk to her about it.”
His nasty tone jolts me. “What’s your problem?”
“The club is my problem.” He shifts to look at me. “The fuck were you doing?”
“Geez,” I groan while massaging my temples. “Shanae was just starting drama.”
“Why were you in VIP with the man all night?” he grunts. “Y’all were bonding?”
“Stop it, Jamir. Kross and I spoke about our careers and the city. It was harmless .” I drag out the word for emphasis.
“The fuck kind of name is Kross? Sounds like a street thug.”
“Don’t diss him. He’s a nice person.”
“Oh, he’s nice.” He starts the Range Rover and pulls onto the road. “You’re not going back to that club.”
I laugh at his overreaction. “Are you serious?”
“You heard me. If you go back, we’ll have problems.”
My eyes enlarge. “Excuse me? And what exactly kind of problems will we have?”
He flashes me a stern look. “You’re not going back. End of discussion.”
“So you’re trying to control me now? You barely make time for me, but you’re telling me what I can and can’t do?”
“Davia…” He blows a sharp breath and calms himself. “We agreed to respect each other’s feelings. I’d appreciate it if you don’t return to that man’s club.”
“Fine,” I relent. “I won’t.”
“Thank you.” Eyes steady on the road, he reaches for my hand and brings it to his mouth to kiss it.
It’s so busy in the office with fashion week approaching. Wanting to catch my breath, I avoid a lunch delivery and stride down the street to my favorite food shop.
After ordering, I sit at a table to wait, feeling a flutter in my tummy as Kross enters in a gray hoodie, blue jeans, and shades.
He halts and removes his glasses. “Davia.” Those alluring chocolate eyes, sexy smile, deep voice, and intoxicating cologne. Talk about a challenging temptation.
I swallow to respond. “Kross, hey.”
“Good to see you again. On a break from work?”
“Yeah. Before you ask to eat with me, I’m taking my food back to the office.”
He shrugs. “It’s all good. I’m meeting someone.”
“Your girlfriend?” slips out.
An odd sensation stirs within as he gives me a flirty smirk. “I’m single, baby girl. You want to fill the spot?”
“What?” I gasp. “Kross, why would you—”
“I’m messing around,” he chuckles. “So, I’ll see you Wednesday night at the club?”
Jamir’s words fill my head. “I can’t.”
“Another night, then?”
I fidget on the chair, telling him, “My man has an issue with me going to your club.”
Palpable confusion masks his face. “Thought he was pulling up with you?”
“He’s uninterested.”
He shifts his weight to one side. “Ol’ boy doesn’t want to come out, but he has a problem with you having fun? Sounds…”
“Don’t,” I stop him.
“All right. That’s too bad, though.” He sighs in displeasure. “How many more times do you think we’ll run into each other before we return to never crossing paths?”
I snort. “What a question. Does it matter?”
He forms a charming half-smile. “It does ‘cause I like seeing you.”
If I were of a lighter tone, I’d probably be red from the heat in my cheeks.
“And I’m down with being friends,” he adds.
I compose myself to speak. “This is friendly enough.”
He twists his mouth while squinting. “We can’t build a friendship on chance encounters.”
“That’s how it’ll have to be.”
An employee brings my order in a paper bag, drawing his eyes to it. “Smells good. What did you get?”
I stand to leave, answering, “Brown stew tofu with veggie rice. It’s my favorite.”
“Cool.”
“I’m heading back, so… take care.”
He nods. “I hope I’ll see you again soon, friend.”
Giving him a slight wave, I step past him, discreetly inhale more of his scent, and walk out of the place. I try not to look back but lose to my body and slant, making eye contact with Kross before he turns.
God spent extra special time molding that man into perfection. He is too damn fine. And yes, I do hope to see him again soon.