Page 221 of River & Crown
Outside when you're ready.
I gave myself one last look in the mirror. There were no signs of tears or heartache except for the ring sitting pretty on my finger. Bringing my hand to my stomach, I gently rubbed while smiling... a promise from Crown.
The lighting in the restaurant was warm and expensive. This wasn't a restaurant I would have chosen because the ambiance seemed so inauthentic. Every laugh sounded rehearsed, and every wine glass that clinked felt more like a secret than a celebration.
I looked toward Kysre and quickly stifled my laugh. She was seated across from me, scrolling on her phone under the table, barely listening to Mitchell speak. To be fair, I'd been tuning him in and out since we sat down. He was on his third story about strategic expansion in urban neighborhoods. He contacted me through my foundation, but on the phone, he seemed much more relaxed than he does now. He talked as if he were giving the world's greatest TED talk that no one asked for.
"And so," he recited with a chuckle, "we leveraged their weakness and tripled our margins in less than four quarters. Can you believe that?"
"Wow, that's... impressive," I commented, just to make him feel heard.
He smiled as if I had purposely stroked his manhood. Still grinning, Mitchell reached across the table and placed his hand on top of mine, rubbing his thumb against my knuckles.
I looked down at our hands, then back up at him, and placed my left hand on top of his, making sure he saw my ring.
"Oh, that's a gorgeous ring," he complimented, slowly moving his hand from mine.
"I know. My husband knows exactly what his wife likes." I smiled and then reached for my phone as it buzzed.
Crown
Ask that nigga for his favorite Bible scripture is.
In reading the text, my heart literally skipped a beat. I scanned the restaurant looking for him.
Crown
Stop twisting your head like that, 'fore that big shit falls off.
Me
Funny.
Crown
Nah, you're hilarious sitting next to that nigga like I won't put that nigga's brain on a platter.
Before I could process Crown's text, Mitchell's hand slid over mine. I jerked mine back, then slid out of my seat and moved to sit next to Kysre.
"Uh, Mitchell, I just need a second," I blurted.
"What's wrong, River?" Kysre asked, finally looking away from her phone.
"Look."
I showed her the text and her ass started laughing.
Crown
Ask him his favorite scripture, or the start of his funeral's gonna be something basic. That's if they even find the body to bury the nigga properly.
"Oh, girl, you're in trouble."
"Trouble?" Mitchell questioned. "Is it anything I can help with?"
"No!" I blurted.
"Mitchell, you might want to stay out of this one." Kysre snickered and then started singing. "You know your daddy's home, and it's time to play."
