Page 64 of Made to Love Ya

There was a large clock on one wall. Magnetic numbers were on the mirror and an old-fashioned rotary dial phone was on a dressing table underneath the mirror. There was a large wardrobe with clown suits inside that we could put on.

“Okay, first clue tells us that we need to place a call, but we’ve got to find the phone number,” Jaylen announced.

“Ohh, that’s what these numbers on the mirror must be,” Renee chimed in.

“But they’re not in a particular order,” Andrew observed.

“Yeah, we gotta figure that shit out and the clock is already ticking,” Jaylen added.

Before anyone could say anything else, Izael was moving the numbers around on the mirror and Tahj was dialing every set of numbers that Izael called out. The rest of us moved around the room and started checking out other clues.

Sometimes, some of us grew frustrated, including me. Other times, cooler heads prevailed, but overall, we laughed and had so much fun.

In the end, we took our pictures with big smiles holding up our signs: So close; They wouldn’t listen to me; Wait there was a way out; Out of time; Sh*t happens; Do over; Maybe next time; and mine read: Not my fault.

We all walked across the parking lot to Cozy Fusions, a restaurant that Izael had an interest in. Because he owned the restaurant, we were seated immediately in a banquet room and assigned four servers. I was impressed and thankful because that gave us one server per couple and they were very attentive to our needs, especially Izael and mine.

Izael ordered the butter chicken pizza for everyone, and then we all ordered separately. After much debate, I settled on sushi burritos and Korean tacos, and Izael grabbed the ramen burger and bánh mì. That allowed me to sample various dishes and get a good feel for their food. I had been here before, but I hadn’t tried many dishes. I would rate their service and food five silver chef spoons if I were to leave a review, but I tried not to allow my mind to rest on those thoughts.

This was a night off and a time of relaxation and peace. Besides, it would be an unfair review anyway. Other than it being a restaurant that my man had a vested interest in, I was also here on a date night. The servers catered to the “boss” accordingly, and I wasn’t certain that the service and food was always the same excellent quality.

“What’s on your mind, baby?” Izael asked when I grew quiet while everyone else chatted around us.

“I’m just enjoying this time with our friends. It’s a beautiful night. It would have been better if your brother could have joined us.”

He sucked his teeth and shook his head. “Rashad would’ve been cool, but ain’t nobody on Celina’s uppity ass. This shit would’ve been beneath her.”

“It has been fun acting like grown-up kids all afternoon and evening.”

“It has been, baby. I love having personal dates with you, but I also know that I’ve hogged your time lately. That’s why I wanted to have this date with your friend and your brother.”

“Oh, you knew he was coming?”

“I told Jaylen to invite him. Had a feeling his ornery ass wouldn’t accept the invitation if I extended it.”

“You guys are good, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, baby. You know T. He just likes being difficult for the sake of being difficult. He didn’t want to make this shit easy for me.”

“Well, as long as you two are okay, I’m good.”

“As long as you and I are okay, we’re good.”

He leaned closer to me and kissed my lips. I pressed my hand against the back of his head and pulled him closer to deepen the kiss. When I opened my mouth and he sucked my tongue, I couldn’t help but moan softly.

“Aye! Aye, yo! What I tell you ’bout that shit? That’s my sister,” Tahj hollered from the other end of the table and slapped his hands against it.

“Would you calm your ass down? How about you give me a kiss instead of being all inside of your sister’s lips,” Dalia suggested in a feisty tone.

My brother must have done exactly what she asked because I didn’t hear another word from him. Izael and I finished our kiss, and we pressed our foreheads together lightly.

“You know that I’m looking forward to many more days like this. Days after you’ve moved in with me, and we’re hosting game nights, cookouts, and dinners at our house for our family and friends.”

My heart burst with joy at his words.

“I can see you on the grill now, Chef Ellis, Grill Master. I need to get you an apron because you’re gonna be putting it down.”

He kissed my lips again and said, “You already know.”

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