Page 9 of Only for the Week
“It’s all love, man. We just ordered our drinks so you’re good.” Micah gestures to the open chairs.
I’m not about to sit at the head of the table opposite Arnold, so it’s either next to Micah or next to Janelle. I decide that sitting next to Janelle is the best option. If I’m sitting right beside her then my eyes won’t wander to her too often.
Big mistake. Once I sit down, I’m immediately enveloped in the scent of her perfume. It’s something citrusy and floral. It perfectly embodies her; sweet and sensual. If that wasn’t bad enough, I get the full effect of her outfit and I’m undone. She has on a brown long sleeve wrap crop top with a matching maxi skirt. Her abdomen is covered with three lines of waist beads in white, gold, and brown, each begging me to remove them with my teeth, and her skirt has a slit that exposes her entire succulent thigh. I’m fucked.
She adjusts slightly in her seat when I sit down but her eyes are friendly when she turns to me. “I thought the guests of honor were supposed to be the fashionably late ones,” she says, poking fun at me.
“Well, sometimes you just have to make a grand entrance. You know a thing or two about that, I’m sure.”
Her smile deepens. “At least you know.”
“You look beautiful.” Maybe I should’ve kept that thought to myself, but all common sense goes out the window with her.
Her smile falters for a moment but then she picks her head up and beams. “Thank you. You look nice yourself.” She looks me up and down in appreciation, laughing when I flex my arms.
“Psst, Rome.” I look up to find the source of the faint whisper is Evelyn leaning behind Janelle’s chair.
“What’s up, Ms. Eve?”
“When you order your drink, you should get a Bay Breeze. Just saying.” Her voice is hushed but her words are slow.
Janelle rolls her eyes, but I can see the twinkle of laughter in them. “She’s been telling all the guys about this drink since we sat down. Safe to say she’s a little obsessed.”
“It’s my new favorite.”
“Mhm, and how many of your favorites have you had tonight?” I ask.
“I’m about to get my fourth.”
“You know, Evelyn,” Christian interrupts. “I didn’t take you for a sloppy drunk. I’m so surprised at your behavior.” He puts his hand on his chest in mock offense. Micah groans and Dani rolls her eyes.
Evelyn cuts her eyes to Christian. I didn’t even think she was capable of moving that quickly in her state, but her movements are swift. “Do you ever get tired of hearing yourself talk? Because let me tell you, it’s day one and I’m already exhausted of it.”
This is Eve and Christian’s standard state of being around each other. Normally, when two grown-ass adults go at each other this hard I would say they need to fuck and get it over with, but I’m pretty sure Eve actually wants to murder Christian, so maybe not.
“Why would I get tired of hearing myself talk? This voice is like butter, baby. Why you think they put me on the radio?”
Christian is the host of one of Baltimore’s most popular radio shows,Hot Takes. He likes to say he melts the panties off every Baltimore shorty from seven to nine p.m. every night.
“Because they didn’t wanna show your face,” she deadpans.
He scoffs. “Now you know that’s cap.”
“I need another drink. I had a nice buzz going on and you killed that shit.”
“You could get a nice buzz off me instead.”He licks his lips.
“Oh, brother! This guy stinks!” Dani shouts.
“Sandpaper, Christian. Sandpaper.” Eve takes the last gulp of her drink, setting the glass on the table with disgust.
“Is y’all done or is you finished?” Arnold asks.
“Is your friend done shooting above his level or nah?” Eve scoffs.
While they continue to go back and forth with barbs and Amerie attempts and fails to referee, I turn my attention back to Janelle.
“So what are you drinking?”
