10. Suki
City picked me up with a chauffeured car. He helped me into the car and wouldn’t even let the chauffeur help. There was a large bouquet of roses on the seat, waiting for me. I mean, he did his biggest one. We went to Marcel’s, one of my favorite restaurants. He listened.
He sat across from me like a transformed man. His locs were pulled back into a low ponytail. He was clean-shaven and moisturized. In a satin long-sleeve shirt, black slacks, and black loafers, he looked so fucking good. He gave off an expensive street boss.
He let me order the wine because he wanted me to have my way.
“I don’t know how to do this shit, so bear with me,” he said.
I’d never seen City nervous before, but he was. His eyes kept shifting around the room. Anytime he saw a person sitting straight, and he’d adjust himself too. If their arms rested a certain way on the table, he followed. And honestly, he got an A for trying for me.
I giggled.
“You do it all the time. This time in a more upscale setting.”
He shook off the jitters. Literally.
“Damn, you look fine as hell.”
I brushed my hand down my bone-straight bundles. “Thank you. When a man buys you Versace with Giuseppe’s, you gotta do it right.”
I glanced down at my dress.
He went all out. I’d been on a high all day. When he showed up to the shop with bears, roses, chocolates, and designer bags, I almost jumped on him right then and there, but I had to keep it cool. I can’t let these bitches see me happy because they’ll do something to make me mad.
“I’m glad you like it. I almost thought I was doing too much,” he confessed.
“For me? Never. You know I like it. And even if it was too much, I’d still wear it just because you got it for me.”
I felt like I’d said too much. He had me feeling way more comfortable than I realized.
He nodded. “Hell yeah.”
“And I must say that you look handsome too. We complement each other.”
He brushed off his sleeve. “Rayzor helped me get this shit together. You know I’m a street nigga, so jeans and dressing is more my speed.”
“You should do it more often.”
“I might. You gon’ give me a reason to?”
The waitress brought over the wine.
“I might,” I flirted back.
Things got quiet for a second while we decided on food. City looked over the menu like it was foreign, but I knew it wasn’t because he wasn’t knowledgeable. I’ve seen him eat gourmet meals iced out with slugs in his mouth. He was being careful with his choices tonight.
“What’s your favorite thing here?”
“Want me to order?”
He gave me a casual look, knowing that he had to trust me.
“Yeah. You do it.”
I went with the escargot and steak tartare for our hors d’oeuvres.
“It’s crazy how this spot is ducked off, but it’s in plain sight.”
I smiled, knowing he approved my suggestion.
“Yeah, that’s why I like it. Sometimes I just come for a drink and leave.”
He glanced around again. “Yeah, I like it. Maybe we can make it our spot.”
I gave him a look.
“If that’s cool. I’m not trying to blow up ya spot.”
“You haven’t even tried the food yet.” I giggled. “It’s fine, though.”
“Fuck the food. I got dessert right here.”
I blushed.
“Damn. My bad. Rayzor told me my dick off the table.”
“What?” I blurted, then laughed.
He chuckled.
“Yeah, man. He had to coach me and shit because, you know, this ain’t my thing.”
“I see. But you’re doing great.”
“But I probably fucked it up with that back there.”
It was sweet that he went to great lengths to impress me and make this date memorable.
“You doing all this for lil’ ole me?”
“Yeah, and I’ll do it again if that makes you smile.”
“Nice save.”
He smirked.
“And if it’s any consolation, I’d fuck you right here, right now too.” I winked.
He licked his lips.
Things went back into a natural flow as we talked about any and everything. City had always been funny. There was never a dull moment with us. We turned anything into a time. This date proved we enjoyed each other’s company.
The meal was superb, as usual.
City loved his C?te de Boeuf. He savored every bite. You’d think Marcel personally prepared it for him. He complimented everything and had nothing but good things to say to the waitress.
“… and you just up and left. No plans to go back?” he asked.
We were finally getting deeper into our life stories.
Since we chose the latter whenever we were together.
He’d always asked about my family, and I usually kept it short.
I knew he had a loving relationship with his momma and siblings.
It lowkey made me sad. Out of my whole family, I only had my daddy’s love.
But that’s alright. It was good enough for me.
“Never. When I changed my name and made Atlanta my home, that was it for me.”
He shook his head. “Damn. That’s crazy. Your mama and siblings seem like they’re hating lowkey.”
“I didn’t wanna believe it, but I came to terms with it years ago.”
“Don’t worry about it, though, because they’ll need you before you need them.”
“They already do. That’s what makes it so crazy. They treat me dirty, then turn around and ask for the very money they look down their noses at.”
“What did Eris mean when she said you were sad in Florida because of me?”
I adjusted my dinner napkin on my lap.
“I honestly can’t even remember. I think we were either mad at each other or something.”
“And you were sad ‘cause you wanted big daddy.”
“Truthful moment, yeah, I wanted all y’all there, but mainly you because we have a good time together.”
“You fucking with me like that?”
“As crazy as it sounds, yeah.”
There it was. I finally admitted it. It was the hardest thing to afraid since men make women look dumb all the time. I’ve heard and seen the things City has done to women. I didn’t want to be like that.
“Shit. I like you too, Suk. That’s why I’m always around and let you get away with shit.”
I shook my head. “Who would’ve thought that my girl getting with Rayzor would put us back in each other’s paths.”
“And who would’ve thought we’d be on a date, trying to figure this shit out.”
“Eris and Rayzor’s love is wearing off on us.” I giggled.
“It might not be so bad, though.” He winked.