Page 43 of Divine

“Chill, Divine. I’m just celebrating, baby girl. My twenty-sixth birthday is Sunday, and I just signed a major contract. Let me have a little fun.”

This was why I didn’t like dealing with younger guys. He was a whole fool if he thought I was going to sit here any longer and let him make me look like I was just as crazy as him.

“We could have gone to the club for this, Sherrod. You didn’t have to come to this fancy place and turn it out.”

“Only the best for a woman like you. You’re so bossed up that I was scared to take you to a low-level place. You ain’t no basic bitch, and I’m not gon’ treat you like one.”

“I’m not a bitch at all,” I countered.

“You’re right. Look, you just make me nervous. That’s all. I’m trying to show you that I ain’t on no bullshit. I know I go out on the road a lot and don’t have much time for you, but I really fuck with you. I want you to see that I can take care of you, ma. Will you let me do that?”

“I understand that, but I don’t like all of the negative attention you’re attracting. I already told you I don’t want my brothers in my business.”

“You act like you’re scared of them niggas or something. I’m your man. You don’t need them for shit. I can boss you all the way up, ma.”

“It’s not that I’m scared of them. I just don’t need them finding out that we’re dating until I’m ready.”

“That’s cool. We can do something low key after this. I got us a room upstairs.”

I almost burst out laughing, but somehow, I managed to compose myself.

“Oh, I know you don’t think you’re about to get none tonight after the way you’ve been acting.”

“See now, did I say that? I’m just ready to unwind and fire up a fat one. I’m full as hell. Yes, I’m ready to fuck, but I understand if you don’t want that.”

“It’s not even on the radar. I am not going up to your room with you.”

“Just come up for a nightcap, and I’ll call a car for you. I’m not ready for you to go yet, ma. I’m rolling on them beans, so I’m not going to bed no time soon. I’ll be the perfect gentleman.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“Trust me, girl. I need to get upstairs. I’m already holding this gas. I done sat up here and ate too many of these crab puffs knowing damn well I’m lactose intolerant. My stomach is boiling like hot water right now.”

“Yet, you’re steady stuffing your face? Wow.” I shook my head.

“See what I’m saying? I’m being a gentleman. I wanted to wait until I asked you how you felt about it before we went upstairs.”

“How about you go up to the room and relieve yourself?” I suggested.

“You might be on to something. Let’s go,” he said, pushing back from the table.

“You think I want to be holed up in an elevator with you and your bubble guts?” I quizzed, looking at him like he was as crazy as he had been acting all night.

“Not really, but I don’t want to leave you sitting down here looking crazy.”

“Trust me. I don’t think I can look any crazier than I already do right now,” I said, pulling out my phone to book an Uber. It had been so long since I’d had to use a rideshare that I didn’t even have the app on my phone anymore.

“Just give me a minute, miss lady. I’m going up to the room to get myself together and coming right back for you, or you can give me about twenty minutes then come up to room 626.”

“That sounds even better. I’ll probably go to the bar and order a drink then come up when I’m done with it.”

“Yeah. That’ll take a while. You like to nurse your little wine or whatever you got over there. I go ahead and drink my shit.”

“As I have learned tonight.” I rolled my eyes.

“Well shit, I’ll see you in the room. I’ll probably have room service to bring me up some ginger ale or something.”

“Good. Gotta get that stomach settled before I come up.”

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