Chapter 2
TWO
This hoop or the triangle? I gazed in the full-length mirror in my bedroom, trying to decide which earring suited the black, long- sleeved romper that was painted onto my skin.
My face was flawless, covered in mostly Fenty along with the rest of my favorite beauty lines.
Aside from the earring situation, I was pretty much ready to walk out of the door.
Triangle, I decided. There was just something about it that gave me uber sexiness and that’s exactly what I was aiming for. It had been almost four weeks since Collin and I had been dating and tonight was feeling like the night I’d finally give him a piece of the cake he’d been waiting to devour.
Luca was adamant about me entering the dating scene, so much so that he’d taken it upon himself to find me a therapist to work out whatever issues I’d had with dating seriously.
The eight-week, twenty-four session program did wonders for me.
The guilt that I carried for Luca’s imprisonment was still intact, but it was no longer hindering me from finding the love of my life.
My date for the night would be arriving at any minute, and I wanted to be ready.
In my Valentino platform booties that were the perfect match for the chilly February winds in Channing, I trekked across the room and back into my closet.
I needed to grab my other earring and return the LV hoops.
They simply didn’t match the vibe I was aiming for tonight.
Just as I slid the second earring into my ear, my phone pinged. That could only mean that Collin had arrived. His timing was impeccable, always was. I respected his time just as he respected mine which is why I hated to keep him waiting. He was always prompt.
Perfect timing. I grabbed my clutch and headed straight for the door, but not before pumping a few more puffs of my perfume on my chest and arms. When I exited my home, Collin was outside of the gate waiting for me. Outside of his pearly white ride, he stood awaiting my arrival.
“Good evening,” he greeted as I approached, extending his arms for me to snuggle between.
“Good evening,” I replied, admiring his handsome features in the dark as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“You ready to roll?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve already punched the location into the GPS. It says we should be there in about ten to twelve minutes.”
Collin drove like an old man, slow and without haste.
It was the only reason I didn’t like riding with him.
I preferred taking my own car, but there was just something about riding in the passenger seat with a man that was as fine as Collin with a bank account as fat as his, too.
He was a numbers guy, too, but more into stocks and investing.
His portfolio was astounding and his worldly possessions were evidence to prove it. There wasn’t anything Collin wanted and couldn’t have at the moment. He was at the top of his game – according to him and his account statements that I viewed when he first signed on as a client of mine.
“Sounds accurate.”
I’d visited Oat + Olive enough times to know the route and the timeframe. With it being a Friday night and traffic being questionable, the extra two minutes made sense. It was usually a ten-minute drive. Hopefully, Collin didn’t extend it with his precise, impeccable driving skills.
He opened the door behind us as waited for me to climb inside of his car. Once I was snug, he closed the door behind me and galloped toward the driver’s side. I reached over and opened the door to ease his transition.
Miguel’s track was heightened in volume as we set out toward the secret spot that I’d been visiting for a few years now.
It was one of those that not everyone shared with too many of their friends so that it wouldn’t get turned the hell out.
My family frequented the spot monthly, but tonight I was tackling our favorite alone – with the exception of Collin.
Comfortable in the heated seats, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the silkiness of Miguel's voice as he sang about his love being a sure thing. If I wasn’t witnessing two strong and healthy relationships play out in front of me, I’d call the song total bullshit, but I knew that everything he was singing about was possible.
My parents had been together for forty-two years.
Since they were babies, pretty much. All these years later they were still loving each other as if it was the first year of their relationship.
They’d been honeymooning since the day they’d been married.
Each year, choosing to vacation to celebrate their union.
Luca and Ever reminded me so much of them.
Their love was new and fresh, but it was evident it would stand the test of time.
The two loved each other unconditionally, to the point that it pained anyone who was single to see them.
They were prime examples of everything you wanted in a partner and from a partnership.
There weren’t any roles or responsibilities dedicated to one gender or one person in their home.
As a couple, they made sure their home and children were cared for.
Everyone played a part in the success of their marriage and parenthood as a whole.
Whether it was cooking, cleaning, combing hair, or taking out the trash.
Whatever needed to be done was done without hesitation or question.
Anything the one could do to make the other’s day a little better or easier, they did.
I admired that. I admired them. When my person came into my world, I wanted that. I wouldn’t settle for anything less than it, either. Every day I was seeing what was possible – thanks to my parents and my brother – so there was nothing a man could tell me to convince me otherwise.
“We’re here,” Collin announced.
So lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t noticed we’d stopped or that we’d reached the valet attendant.
As another attendant pulled my door open, my cell rang.
Checking the caller I.D. I noticed it was Ever trying my line.
I silenced the call as Collin intertwined his hand with mine, guiding me toward the door.
I’ll call her in the morning, I thought as Collin slowed to a creep when we neared the door. Like Luca and Laike, he wasn’t a fan of lines. He’d get the quickest access his money could buy at any venue. It was one of those things that I liked about him that reminded me of my brothers.
I paid little attention to the doorman that Collin was bribing as I tried unlocking my phone to text Ever and let her know why I’d pressed ignore. She was already calling me back. I ignored the call a second time as Collin pulled me into Oat + Olive by my hand.
“He said we can reserve a spot if someone is already sitting where we want to sit and they’ll have them find another place to crash,” Collin yelled over the music.
“Yeah. I’m aware. I’ve already reserved a table,” I informed him.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. It’s this way.” I began tugging him in the opposite direction while unlocking my phone to text Ever. When I accessed our message thread, there were three dots inside of a gray bubble bouncing.
“It’s the same one we alwaaaa–” I dragged just as my phone pinged with a new message, and my eyes batted to be sure that I wasn’t being deceived.
Luca’s handsome features all raised as they formed a full-faced smile. Laike’s brows raised as he looked at me for an explanation. And, Ken…
Ken?
I dropped my head into my chiming phone, face recognition unlocking it immediately. Ever’s words were simple but rang loud in my ears. She’d tried to warn me, but the cat was already out of the bag by the time I read the messages.
He’s home.
Ken is home.
“Who the fuck you with, Lyric? Care to introduce us to your boyfriend?” Laike was the first to speak.
“He’s my friend.”
“Whatever the fuck he is, who is he? Matter of fact, nigga who are you?” Laike turned to face Collin and asked him instead of me.
“I’m Collin,” Collin responded, extending a hand that was left hanging.
Not even Luca shook it. Though his sentiments were much different from Laike’s, I knew that until he figured Collin out, he wouldn’t indulge.
He’d only observe. Hopefully, Collin passed whatever test Luca was preparing to give him.
Laike, on the other hand, Collin probably wouldn’t ever pass that test. He was convinced that there wasn’t a man alive that deserved me.
I’d started to believe him before therapy saved my life.
“I’on like this nigga,” Ken stated immediately, sucking his teeth in the process.
His words caused me to snap my head in his direction though I wanted to avoid his gaze at all costs.
I wasn’t expecting to see him. The months seemed to have flown by since I stopped marking my calendar after he’d left me hanging.
I knew that February was the month he’d be released, but he had been the last thing on my mind since I’d embarrassed myself by sending him that message.
He tilted his head with hiked brows and dark, hooded eyes.
He’s high, I concluded. And why the hell does he have to look this fucking good? I gritted my teeth at the realization. Prison had been kind to him – very fucking generous.
His eyes never left mine, causing me to crumble inside. My knees weakened as I tried to focus on not falling face first on the floor. I wanted to scream and run out of the nearest exit, but I was determined to stand my ground. Ken had basically left me on read. His opinion had no grounds.
“Well, good thing you're not the one who is dating him, right?” I sassed, utilizing every ounce of boldness I could muster. I was literally shaking in my boots, but he’d never get access to such classified information.
“Give the nigga a chance,” Luca commanded.
“Who?” Laike inquired.
“I’m good, fam,” Ken responded.
“I reserved this table,” I told them.
“We know,” Luca stated, tilting his glass until the contents of it filled his mouth. I could bet he was sipping Hennessy. I needed to warn Ever this time.