Chapter 20
CHAPTER
TWENTY
Brie however, he wanted it to be on my radar.
“There will be twice as many people, so we may need to use the dining room."
Tiffani chimed in. “We are willing to do a buyout if the event is during business hours.”
My head was spinning. “Absolutely. Tiffani, just let me know the date and we will make it work.”
“Perfect.” Tiffani beamed. Once Mayor Bridges walked away, she looked at me. “Sis, I’m going to need the recipe for those pastelillos. I haven’t had any this good since I was in Puerto Rico last summer.”
“The secret is the sofrito. My abuelita had a special blend that only a few of us know.” I winked, earning a laugh from her. Once I returned to the kitchen, I asked Opal to drop another batch in the fryer for Tiffani to take home.
“Hey, everybody,” Raven sang, waltzing into the kitchen like she owned the place. And technically, she did own a very small percentage, but still.
“What are you doing here?” I hugged my sister.
“I’m kidnapping you.”
“We have thirty minutes until we close.”
“And after that, you’re going home to shower then we’re going to Ray’s.”
I twisted my mouth, debating whether I should push back on my sister’s plan. It had been a while since I’d gone out. The weeks leading up to my opening left little time for enjoyment. Aside from weekly outings with Nadir, I’d been pretty lowkey.
“Whatever rebuttal you have, save it. Sadé is out of town and I haven’t seen you outside of this place in months.”
“Months? Don’t be dramatic.”
Opal laughed at our exchange, reminding me that we were having this conversation in the middle of my kitchen.
“Go wait in my office,” I said, shooing Raven out of the way. She was right about me needing a night out. Besides, I’d never pass up the chance to see my man. I already planned to stay with him for the next few days but I never grew tired of seeing him in his element.
An hour later, I was with Raven outside of Ray’s.
She stayed true to her words and came home with me.
While I showered, she took it upon herself to select my outfit for the night.
The little black dress clung to my body and left little to the imagination.
She wore something similar in blue with cutout sides.
We were dressed perfectly for the vibe tonight.
Mel spotted us in line and waved for us to come ahead.
“Look who decided to grace us with her presence,” he teased.
“Stop.” I feigned embarrassment.
“Just sayin’. Since you opened your spot, you no longer have any use for us.”
“Not true at all. I’m here now and that’s what counts. How is it tonight?”
Mel motioned toward the line down the sidewalk. “Sultry Saturday is jumping. I’m going to start turning folks away soon.”
“That’s bittersweet.” I poked out my bottom lip, hating that they wouldn’t get to experience Ray’s tonight.
“Fasho, but y’all get inside. Enjoy y’all selves.”
As soon as we walked inside, I inhaled the thick air.
At the beginning of the month, Nadir unveiled a new lineup for the summer.
Each Saturday night had a different theme and tonight was as sexy as I imagined.
The lights were lower than usual with a red backlight illuminating the DJ booth.
DJ Love had everyone swaying as the classic Joe song “The Love Scene” poured through the speakers.
Couples slow-danced and others moved from their seats.
The patio was filled with people blowing hookah and other vices.
Clouds of smoke dissipated into the air.
Inside, every table was occupied, leaving the bar as the only option for us.
Raven and I took a seat. Soon after, we were greeted by my girl Kenya.
“What can I get you babes?”
“I’ll take a Roseville martini and an order of truffle fries,” Raven said without hesitation.
“And I’ll have a lemon drop.”
Kenya nodded while pouring vodka into the shaker.
“Their drinks are on me,” came from behind us, prompting me and Raven to turn around.
I took a quick glance around the room. Nadir was nowhere to be found.
“That won’t be necessary,” I said with a polite smile. The last time I paid for something at Ray’s, I woke up to a pending refund the following day. There was no use in arguing with Nadir about it. Instead, I tipped the waiters and the bartenders handsomely.
“Come on, beautiful. Let me buy you a drink.”
I looked at the man eager to pay for our drinks. He wasn’t bad on the eyes at all. He was average height, brown skinned, with braids in a low bun. I was certain someone here would love his advances. Unfortunately for him, I wasn’t the one.
“Trust me, she’s the last person who needs a free drink,” Kenya teased with humor dancing in her eyes. I shot her a knowing look.
He came closer, squeezing himself between me and the person to my right.
“Oh, so you’re used to getting special privileges?” His smile was charming, but his incessant flirting was irritating.
“Yup. Especially when those privileges come from me.”
The sound of Nadir’s voice had him straightening his stance. I smiled at the fury in my darling’s eyes.
“Nadir Bennett, I own the place and she is my lady.”
Mr. Cocky Stranger raised his hands in surrender. “My fault. I saw her come in and wanted to shoot my shot.”
Raven and Kenya snickered while I was mortified for the man and turned on at the same time.
Nadir nodded with an arrogant half-smile. “I get it, but she’s spoken for.”
His eyes roved my body, setting my insides on fire. I wanted to stand so he could get a full view of my outfit, but knew he would have the chance later tonight.
Kenya handed us our drinks while the guy walked away silently.
“I know that’s right,” Raven said to Nadir while sharing an embrace.
“Don’t encourage that behavior.”
Nadir laughed then took my hand. “Let me talk to you for a second.”
Raven motioned for me to go. “I’ll be okay.”
After we got to his office, he kissed me sweetly. A chill ran down my spine when he cupped my ass. God, this man was a dream come true. His hungry kisses quelled my craving for him. Once he got his fill, he pulled back and looked at me.
“You look good enough to eat, princesa.”
I bit my bottom lip, stifling a smile. “What’s stopping you?”
“The busiest night we’ve had all year.”
“Yeah, Mel told me he has to turn people away.”
He sighed with pensive eyes. “How was work?”
“Also, busy. Mayor Bridges had his mixer thing tonight. He’s thinking about having another sometime next year.”
“Good shit, Goldie. Paul is a good person to know.”
“You and the mayor are on a first name basis?”
Nadir chuckled while caressing the hair on his chin. “I mean, we played ball together in high school and I know his mama.”
“You know everybody, Mr. Roseville.”
He took me by the waist and pulled me flush against him. “I’ve been thinking...”
“About?” I asked with heady anticipation. The intense look in his eyes made my stomach knot.
“Us and how we’ve been coasting this past month.”
“I know I haven’t been as available as I used to be.”
Nadir shook his head and pressed his index finger to my lips. “Don’t do that, Goldie. I’d never want you to minimize your dreams just to appease me. This will work because we want it to work. We went a couple of days without seeing each other, so what? You know where my heart is.”
“It’s been a breath of fresh air having someone who supports my ambitions. I didn’t have that in my last relationship.”
“The day Vanessa left, she told me all I cared about was Ray’s. That shit hurt and I’d never make the person I love feel like they’d have to choose between me and their passions. Your dreams mean as much to me as they do to you.”
I smiled, loving how unbothered Nadir remained when the dregs of my previous relationship exposed themselves; he loved me anyway.
“You talk like you want us to be a power couple.”
“I absolutely do. With that said, we need to make this official so there’s no room for misunderstandings.”
My eyebrows rose. “I’m clear on where we stand. You’re the one I want.”
“Good. Now, make sure buddy at the bar knows that.”
I laughed while wrapping my arms around his neck. “He never stood a chance.”
“I know. I'm just talking shit,” he said, then kissed me.
I met his gaze. “To be clear, we’ve been together since I told you that I love you.”
He laughed throatily. “Fair. I would’ve liked the opportunity to ask you to be my woman.”
“Just know, the answer is an unequivocal yes.”
His smile was as warm as the sun. “I love you, Robyn.”
“And I love you.”
Nadir’s phone rang, interrupting our sentimental moment. Panic flashed in his eyes as he answered.
“Wassup, man? Everything cool?” His eyes widened as he backed away from me. “How’s Sunny? Do you need me to come to the hospital?”
Nadir paced in his office, causing a wave of worry in my stomach.
“Okay. Keep me posted. I’m going to call my mom. She’ll be on the first flight out.”
After ending the call, he ran his hand over his face. “Sunny’s water just broke. They're on the way to Roseville General,” he explained while calling his mom.
My mind whirred as I thought about what dishes she wanted me to make. While I wanted to leave and get started right away, I remembered that labor could last minutes or it could be hours. It was best that I wait for directives from Nadir.
His mom was just as anxious as we were, prattling off flight times to Nadir. I left his office, figuring he needed a moment to process everything.
Once I returned to the bar, I shared the news with Raven and Kenya.
Everyone brimmed with excitement. We took celebratory shots just as DJ Love transitioned to SWV’s “Use Your Heart”.
The words of the song reminded me of Nadir.
The many nights we’d shared our desire to find real and enduring love.
Never did I think we’d find that in each other; certainly not after the breakups we experienced.
I was reluctant at first, not wanting anything to ruin a friendship I cherished deeply.
However, my heart wouldn’t allow me to continue as if he wasn’t my person.
I rocked from side to side, singing along to the words. The familiar scent of Nadir’s cologne engulfed me as he hugged me from behind. I settled in his embrace, immensely grateful to have taken a leap of faith because it led me right to him.