Chapter 13
Thirteen
“Happy birthday to the baddest, most chocolate, most passionate, and most driven best friend ever! Don't let anyone tell you that you're not the shit, Calia Donielle Harvey, formally known as Campbell.”
Cali grinned at Irish’s toast before they gulped back their drinks.
Cali had champagne while she possessed apple juice.
Irish had touched down last night in Diamond Falls, and her presence was like breathing in a complete breath.
Although she was doused in grief, her spirit had lifted Cali to heights she hadn’t felt in a while.
“Girl, you getting old,” Irish teased. “In four years, you’ll be forty.”
“I know right.” Cali smirked. “But this year is going to be an amazing one. Not just for me but for you, too.”
Irish pinched her middle finger and thumb together. “Claim it because I could use some sunshine right now.”
“Have you spoken to Noble?”
She sipped and shook her head.
“Do you plan to?”
Irish lifted her shoulders. “Yeah, I’ll probably text him for the doctor’s appointment.”
“Ugh, y’all need to get it together. You two belong with each other and y’all got a baby coming. I don't like this.”
Irish leaned on the island, wearing a stony expression. “I don't like this either but… I don't know… I don't really care about a lot right now. The therapist at the Stoplight Booth told me that this grief has altered my brain chemistry and I feel it.”
“You still talk to her?”
Irish bobbed her head. “Yeah, I just seen her before I came here. She gave me some sound advice and put things into perspective for me. I really needed it.”
“Did she tell you to make up with Noble?” Cali eyed her.
Laughing, Irish responded, “Not necessarily but she said I should give myself grace.”
“Well, you need to make up with Noble. You know you miss his ass.”
“I won’t deny it but I don't wanna think about my woes right now. I wanna celebrate my girl moving into this fabulous loft, having a great job, and living in this beautiful city. It’s all about us this week.”
“You right. No more talk about Noble.”
Irish took off her hoodie, showcasing her small bump. “I’m so glad I don't have to hide my stomach right now. Wearing all that damn shapewear was starting to become an exercise.”
“Luckily, you're small. You still haven’t told Ivory yet?”
“No, I will though. My girl has been so focused, running my business like it’s hers. She even hired another person. I walked in and was like who the hell is this?” She giggled. “I’ve been so out of it that I didn’t know she got someone else to help with the workload.”
“That’s dope Ivory is helping you out.”
“I know, that’s my girl… So what we doing tonight?”
“Well.” Cali popped her lips. “Since you're knocked up, I figured we can go to this fancy restaurant downtown. Then we can go to this spot that my girl, Elara, recommended. It’s a lounge where they play live music.”
“I can work with that. Oh, I brought something for you, hold on.”
Irish hurried to the guest room and came back with a garment bag. Unzipping it, she pulled out a long black dress with cut outs on the side and long sleeves.
“Ooh, bitch.” Cali ran from around the island. “This dress is everything.”
“I know. I designed it specifically for your birthday. Nobody has this dress, so happy birthday.”
Cali hugged Irish before snatching the dress from her. She shuffled to her floor-length mirror and held it in front of her body. “I will be squeezing my tiny ass in this.”
Irish tittered. “Tiny my ass. You done gained all your weight back. That ass is sitting on your back.”
“I did and I’m geeked ‘cause I have the perfect shoes to go with this. Let’s get ready because our reservations are at 8:15.”
“8:15? Girl I’m hungry now.”
Rolling her eyes, Cali walked back over to the island. “I’ll DoorDash you a snack until it’s time to go.”
Irish grinned. “And that’s why you're my best friend.”
Hours later…
Dinner was amazing. The duo had eaten at a popular Japanese restaurant that offered scenic views of the eastside.
After eating until they were stuffed, Cali and Irish were escorted to a lounge called The Don Room.
The place was laid back with a band that had them on the dancefloor.
Cali had knocked back three drinks and was feeling good. She wasn’t necessarily drunk but tipsy.
“This city is so nice. I’m definitely gonna bring Ivory back here for her twenty-first birthday,” Irish declared as they walked down the street with their arms linked in each other’s.
The wind whipped through them, making the girls walk a little faster. Cali had made the uber drop them off at the corner since she didn’t want anyone to know where she lived. Being in a new city by her lonesome, she wanted to make sure she was protecting herself.
“I’ll definitely put together an itinerary for her,” Cali promised just as her phone buzzed.
Taking it out of her pocket, she smiled at the screen.
Rule: I wanna c u Cali…
Besides some texting, she hadn’t seen Rule since their date a week ago. He had no idea it was her birthday as she texted him back.
Cali: When?
Rule: Now would be a good time.
She smiled at the thought of getting some birthday dick.
Cali: Let me get my bestie situated then I’ll hit you back.
Rule: Yep.
“Who got you smiling like that?” Irish teased as they arrived at Cali’s loft.
“The dude named Rule I was telling you about. He wants to see me.” She unlocked the door, letting them in.
“And are you going to?”
Cali took off her black fur coat and threw it on the couch. “Yep. I could use some B-day dick right now.”
“Ugh, don't tease me. The way I’ve been feigning for Noble should be a crime. I really miss my man.”
Cali smirked at the playfully pained expression on her face. Irish looked so beautiful in her olive-colored dress with a hem that stopped mid-thigh. Her bump was so small, it could’ve been mistaken for bloating.
“All you gotta do is call that man, and I’m sure he’ll be here in a matter of hours. Stop being stubborn.”
Irish shook her head. “Not right now. I need space.”
“Whatever,” Cali shot back, walking into the kitchen. Opening the cabinet, she reached for a glass but paused when the doorbell rang. “What the fuck?” She turned and looked at Irish.
“Girl it’s after midnight. Who the hell is at your door?”
Cali opened a drawer and pulled out a knife. The gun Douglas had bought her was upstairs on her nightstand and she didn’t have time to get it. Cali crept toward the door with Irish following behind her. Peering out the peephole, she gasped, hoping her mind was playing tricks on her.
“Who is it?” Irish questioned in a low tone.
Ignoring her, Cali’s hands frantically twisted the lock. Finally, she got the door open and stood frozen at the person standing there.
“OMG.” Irish chuckled before covering her mouth with her hand.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Rio?”
He smirked while giving her direct eye contact. Cali was so bothered by his presence that her armpits dampened the fabric on her dress. Rio held a bouquet of roses in his hand that were dusted with gold shimmer. They were beautiful but Cali couldn’t appreciate them because of who’d brought them.
“I can’t come see an old friend?” he asked.
Cali sneered. “Old friend my ass. Get the fuck outta here. You’ve been dogging me out for months now you wanna claim me as your friend. Boy, please.”
“Rio, that’s so sweet of you to come see her on her birthday,” Irish gushed.
Cali’s jaw tightened while watching Irish fall for his tricks. “Girl, focus. This is the enemy. He ain't no friend of mine.”
Rio chuckled and invited himself into her place by cutting between her and Irish.
“I didn’t invite you in. Get yo’ ass outta my shit!” Cali yelled, walking behind him.
Rio looked around, not bothering to respond to her rant.
She hated how he’d shown up like everything was all good between them.
She despised how good he smelled and how wonderful he looked.
Rio was sexy as fuck and Cali loathed how her body had responded to him.
His cologne quickly filled the room with a masculine scent.
Rio donned a Celine letterman jacket, white T-shirt, black jeans, and designer sneakers.
“This a cool lil’ spot you got.” Rio nodded in approval, rubbing his hand over his mouth.
“I can’t believe you came all the way here.” Irish simpered.
Cali folded her arms over her chest when he held the flowers out to her. Reluctantly, she snatched them from his hand.
“How the hell did you get my address?”
Peering at her, Rio fueled her stomach to flutter.
“Why you keep asking me how I get information on you when you know who I am? I can get anything, especially when it comes to you, Calia.”
“Aww.” Irish laid her hand over her chest. “This is too cute.”
“Irish, please.” Cali scoffed, unimpressed. “You really need to stop hyping this man up. He just cursed me out the other night.”
He chuckled. “You was talking crazy to me like I was a sucka. What did you expect?”
“Rio don't be coming at my girl crazy,” Irish warned, wagging her finger.
“She might have messed up but that don't give you a right to beat her up. Now she moved away and she’s doing really good.
She don't need you coming here trying to remind her of what she did because you were on bullshit too aka that hoe, Rozalin.”
Holding his hands up to surrender, Rio swore, “I’m not here on that. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday.”
Cali rolled her eyes. “You could’ve sent a text. You ain't have to come here.”
“You blocked me, remember?”
Cali smirked. “Oh, yeah? That’s one of the best decisions I’ve made recently.”
“Well, I see you two may need a little time so I’m going to get ready for bed.” Irish winked at Cali. “You two be good. I don't want y’all fighting.”
Irish shuffled to the guest bedroom and closed the door, leaving them in an awkward silence.
“You look beautiful.”