Page 81 of Happy Endings

Andre was nervous. Tonight he was more or less introducing Trixie as his girlfriend to his elders. They’d all given him dating advice or remarked how he hadn’t dated anyone since he came back home. He was pretty sure Mrs. Harris and the others wouldn’t hesitate to share their opinions about his love life.

It didn’t matter what his elders thought. He loved Trixie and wanted her in his life. After dinner was over, he planned to make it official and ask her to be his girlfriend. Their friends-with-benefits arrangement had evolved into more, just as he’d hoped. The two of them had connected on a deeper level than before. When he shared his fears and the pressure of saving the restaurant, she consoled him and offered to help. She understood his need to preserve this neighborhood.

Andre tried to ignore the jittery feeling in his stomach and looked for his Trixie. She never brought up his declaration of love from Friday night, which confirmed that she was asleep. He was relieved that she missed it. Telling her he loved her right after sex felt so cliché. Tonight was his chance for a do-over.

He spotted Trixie running from table to table with pitchers of soda and sweet tea. She wore a black T-shirt emblazoned withIT’S AN HONOR TO BE ASIANand a pair of tight jeans that hugged her curves. Her eyes sparkled and a smile lit her face asshe stopped to greet each person. His neighbors were enamored of her, too.

Seeing her in this part of her life filled him with happiness. It was a strange feeling. One he hadn’t allowed himself to feel since his mother died.

“You got it bad, bro,” said Xavier, sweat dripping down his face from dragging a dozen chairs into the restaurant. “Can I get a glass of water?”

“Yeah, I guess I do.” Andre smiled and slid a glass over to Xavier.

“Did you just agree with me?”

“I’m going to ask her to officially be my girlfriend tonight. After everyone’s gone.” Andre turned his attention back to the dirty glasses under the bar. He knew Xavier would have a field day with his announcement.

“Ooooh, Andre has a girlfriend,” Xavier sang. Right on cue.

“Shhh! Everyone will hear you.” But Andre couldn’t stop the wide smile creeping onto his face.

“I’m happy for you, man.” Xavier clapped him on the shoulder. “Does she know how you feel?”

“I think so.” Andre thought about last Friday. Their intense connection during—no, it was more than sex. They had made love. “She might even be the one.”

Xavier and Andre watched as Trixie charmed every table she stopped at. Everyone beamed when she stopped at their table to refill drinks and take away their dirty plates. Even grumpy Mrs. Harris smiled at her, then turned to wink at Andre in approval. Trixie caught the two of them looking her way and waved. Andre waved back.

“Whoa. My man Tre is ready to settle down. Another one bites the dust.” Xavier exaggerated a sad face.

“Don’t make fun of me. You’ll fall in love someday.”

“Nope, love ain’t for me. That’s all you.” Xavier emptied his glass and passed it to Andre. “I better get back in the kitchen and help Keisha.”

“Thanks for grabbing the chairs, bro.”

“I had to promise to read my poetry at their open-mic night. You owe me big time.” Xavier gave a mock salute and walked back into the kitchen.

Andre’s only regret about leaving New Orleans was leaving Trixie. He didn’t regret coming back to take care of his family. Not just his mom and Keisha, but his neighbors. Even nosy Mrs. Harris. Now that his mom was gone, it was his job to keep his extended family together. Take care of them the same way she had.

Trixie had taught him that he didn’t have to do it alone. As long as she was by his side, he could handle whatever life threw at him.

Andre’s phone rang. A number he didn’t recognize had been calling all weekend. Worried that it was a creditor or something worse, he declined the call. Someone from California had been calling the last few days but didn’t leave any messages. Whoever it was, they could wait until tomorrow. Tonight he was going to focus on his friends and family.

The damned phone rang again. He had a feeling it would keep ringing if he didn’t answer. He swiped the green button.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mr. Walker? I’m calling on behalf of your new landlord. Do you have a few minutes?”

“WOW,ICANsee why you love these Monday-night dinners.” Trixie wiped down the last table. “Do people usually stay this late?”

“Not usually,” replied Andre, who was wiping down the bar. “I think we had such a great turnout because of the holiday.”

It was almost midnight. He didn’t look at all tired. She caught him humming after Keisha and Xavier had left an hour ago. Trixie had hoped to talk to Andre about the co-op sooner. The restaurant had been packed, and the mood festive. Now she was exhausted and didn’t want to dampen his happy mood.

“Thanks again for letting me help out tonight,” Trixie said after putting away the cleaning supplies. She didn’t know where to start the conversation, but she didn’t want the awkwardness between them whenever District Market came up in conversation.

Trixie had thought long and hard about Zoe’s offer. Starting Happy Endings at her best friend’s boutique was a good stepping-stone to having a stand-alone shop. But that wasn’t her dream. She wanted to do everything on her own so she could show her parents what she was capable of. To prove to herself what she was capable of when she followed her heart.

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