Page 56 of Only for the Week
Janelle and I have avoided each other tonight, keeping to our respective bubbles, but when we bump into each other in the center of the room, I happily burst it.
“Did you learn anything new tonight?” she asks.
“I’ve learned a lot about a lot of things.”
She chuckles. “What does that even mean?”
“Nothing. Just that I’m watching and learning.”
She looks me up and down, assessing me carefully. “Of that I have no doubt, Rome.”
“Nelly, oh my gosh!” A drunken Amerie stumbles over to where Janelle and I stand, a young-looking Black man standing behind her.
“Are you okay, Ri?”
“Me? I’m great.” She lowers her voice to a mock whisper. “I have someone I want you to meet.” She flops her hands in the air behind her, inspiring the mystery guy to step out from behind her.
“Nelly, this is Troy. Troy, this is my sister, Nelly. Or Janelle. Troy is Arnold’s protégé. He’s gonna be a great agent one day.”
She winks at Janelle, who’s standing there looking like a deer in headlights. “Yeah, it’s nice to meet you, Troy.”
“Likewise.” He takes her hand in his and kisses it. I’m not sure if the gagging sound I hear is from her or me.
“Troy doesn’t have a date for the ceremony.”
“Okay…” Janelle drags out the word.
“And neither do you.”
“Well, I’m in the ceremony so I’m not sure why I need a date.”
“For after, silly.” Her words begin to slur a little harder.
“No one in the wedding party has dates. Not uncommon for a destination wedding, sis.”
She puts her fingers over her mouth, signaling Janelle to lower her voice. “I know. I know. I know. But I just thought you two might hit it off. Maybe you should go somewhere private and talk,” she suggests. She gestures toward the exit but the movement throws her off balance, so I reach my hand up to steady her.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Janelle starts.
“Oh my gosh, great idea, Nelly. Okay, I’m gonna go mingle since it is my wedding and all. Have fun, you two!” she sings as she scurries away, ignoring all the protests flying out of Janelle’s mouth.
This guy looks no older than twenty-three and that’s being generous. It’s cute that Amerie thinks he’d be a good date for Janelle at the wedding, but it’s not happening. Simple as that.
“I’m so sorry about that. She means well,” Janelle apologizes to Troy. I notice him lick his lips as he takes Janelle in.
“Hey, I mean, she might be on to something. I’m not opposed to having a date for the wedding.” He looks at me as if just remembering I’m standing here. “Do you want to grab another drink?”
Janelle looks to me, eyes wide. Pain flashes across her face and she slides her hands down her sides. “Uh, sure. Let’s just step over here.” She lays her hand on the middle of his back and guides him to an empty cocktail table.
When she turns back to me, she mouths the words“I’m sorry,”driving the knife in a little deeper.
Chapter Nine
Janelle
I’m past ready for this damn wedding to be over.
Ri thinking she could force a date on me was the last straw for me. I had to remind myself to be the lady my daddy raised me to be, so I didn’t cuss her drunk dumb ass out in front of her guests.
