7. My Business Is Sullivan Business #3
“I would suggest knocking this wall down.” I circled one of the walls on her blueprint that I felt would cause a hazard on any packed night.
“Really?”
“Yeah. You want that traffic from the kitchen to the main dining area to be clear, especially on a busy night. Which most nights will be.”
She nodded slowly and scribbled a note on her iPad notes. “Okay, cool.”
“And I can knock the wall down, one less thing you have to outsource for. Oh, and I have another bottle of wine in that black bag too.” I pointed to the bag I’d brought in with me.
“It’s you offering to knock down a wall like that’s just some shit you do on the regular.” She laughed.
“It’s not. It’s a lot of shit I don’t do on the regular, but I’ve done it, like letting a nigga slip his phone in my bag. Actually, knocking down a wall…”
“Being nasty in the parking lot of your cousin’s establishment,” she cut me off as she sipped her glass of wine.
My eyes widened, but I couldn’t hide the hint of a smile on my face. “What you mean?”
“I mean, me seeing you on the camera hopping in the backseat wit’ a nigga.”
“We was talkin’,” I weakly defended.
“What kinda talk were y’all having that required you to get in the backseat? You can hear better back there?”
I silently pled the fifth.
“Exactly. I don’t know why y’all think my business is the fuck spot.”
“Who’s y’all?”
“You, Aura, and Danae. I saw them fuckin’ it up inside the restaurant a few months ago. Just no class.”
I snickered, knowing she was pissed. “Now, I would never do that. I just got me a lil’ head in the parking lot.”
“From who?! Wait.”
I crossed my legs and sipped my wine, watching the wheels spin in her head.
“The guy from the club!” she shrieked, having her gotcha moment.
“I’m currently referring to him in my head as Mr.DoYaCoochieRight. But yes, that’s him.”
“Hmph, first the two-hour link up at the diner then head in the parking lot? Somebody liking somebody.”
I flashed a sneaky smile. “He cool as hell, Milz. We had a few conversations, and I actually like talkin’ to him. And you know I love to challenge a nigga wit’ my words. I think that shit turn him on.”
“You know it take a certain caliber of man to let a woman talk spicy the way we do. And not disrespectful, but we just got that thing.”
“Directly passed down from our mothers. Just jazzy and shit.”
We both laughed because we had it honestly.
“So, with him being cool as hell, what’s next? Dating possibly?”
“I don’t know. Haven’t thought that far.”
“Is he single?”
“Nope,” I answered quickly. “He got two bitches, actually. They over there doin’ they poly thang.”
Her lip curled up. “I hope he don’t think you ‘bout to be a third ‘cause it never gave that. The fuck.”
I guess I didn’t respond quick enough because she slapped my thigh. “Bitch, this the part where you vehemently agree.”
“Oh,” I laughed. “I didn’t think I had to. You know I ain’t never played the sharing game wit’ no bitch.”
“I know dats right.”
“But like I said, he cool. I’m just playin’ it by ear.”
“Sounds good. You have plans to see him again?”
I nodded. “Tomorrow. He invited me to his friend’s spades tournament up in Harlem. You wanna come?”
“No. That’s tacky, Key. You can’t invite someone out to something that you were the invitee to.”
“I was gonna mention it to him first. I have class, heffa.”
“Oh.” She giggled. “In that case, if it’s cool, yeah. I can get some practice in before Grandma Lettie’s cookout next week.”
“The one she said she don’t want me doing nothing for?” I rolled my eyes, salty.
“Not you mad ‘cause she want you to relax and enjoy the festivities this time around,” Milz teased me.
“I ain’t mad. Shut up.”
Grandma Lettie had gave specific instructions that I was just to show up at the family cookout and enjoy it like everyone else. I wasn’t allowed to even shop for set up. Even though I knew she had good intentions, I still wanted to put my little touch on the celebration.
“Anyway, let’s put a pin in what we have so far and come back to it on Sunday. I’ma head home.”
“Okay, boo. And thank you so much. Ain’t nothing like a Key production.” We stood, and she hugged me around my neck.
“I’m glad you know.”
Walking to the door, she held it open for me and leaned against it. “You sure you wouldn’t consider the poly thing?” she asked, genuine curiosity written all over her face.
“Positive. And you know me, Milz. A nigga gon’ have to get wit’ my program before I ever adjust to his.” I winked and headed out.
I made it to my car, and my phone chimed as I slid into the seat. Pulling it from my purse, I glanced down at it to see a text from Mehki confirming my attendance for the cookout.
B.D.E: What’s good, fine ass girl? Just reaching out to confirm for tomorrow.
Smiling, I replied with a voice note, letting him know I’d be there and asked if I could bring a plus one.
B.D.E: As long as you ain’t tryna renege on being my partner, that’s cool.
Me: Lol. Nah. I’m still team you, partner.
B.D.E: I like the sound of that.
“I just bet you do,” I said aloud, pulling out of the lot.
Me converting to the poly life wasn’t in the cards. Mehki converting to the Key life, highly likely.