Page 4 of Ready or Not
“Desi.” I nodded, feeling a rush of warmth spread through me at the sound of his name. “Sounds Latin.”
“It is,” he nodded. “Born in the DR, raised in the Bronx.”
“I could tell by your necklace.”
He chuckled, his fingers touching the bar coin pendant. “What about you?”
“I’m from D.C, but my family moved to Brooklyn freshman year of high school.”
“BK? Makes sense.” A smirk appeared on his face.
I pursed my lips as my eyes turned to slits. “What?”
“Brooklyn always has gorgeous women.” He winked and I blushed. “Where in Brooklyn?”
“Fort Greene. I grew up around the big park. Lived right off of Clermont until I moved to Williamsburg. You?”
“I was raised in Parkchester until my family moved to Riverdale. Oh, that reminds me... I never caught your name.”
“Sorry about that. I’m–”
“Girl! We been looking everywhere for you and—oh!” Naomi grasped my shoulder, her eyes widening as she took in the scene before her. I cleared my throat, tearing my gaze away from Desi to awkwardly smile at my best friend as if I’d been caught doing something I wasn’t supposed to do.
“Naomi, this is Desi.” I gestured towards the man standing beside me. “He… uhm.. he was just helping me with... I spilled my drink.”
“Nice to meet you, Naomi.” He extended a hand to shake hers, which she took with a grin.
“Likewise.” Shifting her attention between Desiderio and me, a smirk appeared on her lips before she turned to me.
“What’s up?” I looked at her, my cheeks feeling warmer under her knowing gaze, and it caused her smirk to grow.
“Nell and I was looking for you to come dance with us but…” She paused as she eyed Desi again, and then turned to me and winked. “I’ll let her and Liz know you’re all good.”
“I was just grabbing a drink. I can come now?—”
She held her hand up. “Naaaaah. Have fun here withDesi.” She turned back to him with a sly grin. “Make sure she doesn’t spill any more drinks, sir. Can you promise me that?”
“I’ll try.” He nodded with a chuckle, and I did my best to ignore the flutter in my heart at the sound. Shooting me one last mischievous smile followed by a wink, Naomi disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone with Desiderio, who was still wearing that disarming grin.
“Looks like I’ve been assigned as your drink spillage prevention specialist,” he joked.
I let out a nervous laugh, biting my lip. “Well, I promise I’m not usually this clumsy.”
“Oh really?” He raised an eyebrow, his expression playful. “Had me fooled for a second there.”
I rolled my eyes at his teasing, but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at my lips.
“You have a nice smile,” he continued, taking a sip of his drink. “Don’t try to hide it.”
“I—” I felt myself turn into a tomato at his compliment. “T-thank you.”
“Mhm.” He leaned casually against the bar counter, his eyes never leaving mine. “So, spill-prone, what brings?—”
I gasped, holding my hand to my chest in mock offense. “Spill-prone?”
“You never told me your name,” he quipped, taking another sip of his drink. “It’s gonna bespill-proneuntil you tell me your name.”
“It’s Solène.”
