Page 79 of Anything Necessary for Her
I did as he’d asked and then set the bouquet down as Dante, Calvin, and Nikita approached me at the table to be nosy.
You’re cordially invited to a late evening boozy brunch, courtesy of Low. This is a private event and therefore no plus ones are allowed.
I smiled brightly as I read it a few more times before putting it away and sniffing the flowers.
“Damn, Banks,” Calvin commented, eyeing the flowers. “Trayvon sent this?”
“Hell no. I been done with him.” I frowned just as Carolyn returned.
“Well, when you’re done with this one, let me know,” Nikita shot, reminding me she knew exactly who Low was.
“Bitch—” I started, but my one curse word had garnered Carolyn’s attention, making me halt.
Though half of our ballet troupe was black, Nikita and I included, I didn’t want to be seen as the angry, combative black girl who fucked herself up out of a spot like becoming a principal dancer. I was a soloist now, and I wasn’t about to allow anyone to knock me off my square.
Pulling out my phone since Carolyn was still engrossed in conversation with Douglas, I dialed Low.
“What’s good? You get the invite?” He picked up, sounding happier than usual since the charity event at the park. I loved that he cared.
While I wanted a man who could stand up to my brothers like Low had, I didn’t want a man who didn’t give a fuck about my relationship with them. Because at the end of the day, though I would never allow my brothers to dictate who I spent my time with, I loved them and didn’t want a nigga who was okay with me not being in an amicable space with them.
“I did. What other details do I need?”
“Nothing. I’m driving and shit, so all you need to do is wear something pretty . . . if you want to.”
“If I want to?” I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. With all the discord between my maternal side brothers, Low somehow always kept a smile on my face. It felt good having a ride or die outside of Kailey.
This situation also made me have more respect for Free, seeing how he had my man’s back even against six of my angry, sometimes gun happy brothers. Though Low had explained that Bashar was the most intimidating because Low wasn’t afraid of guns and fists, he was more so horrified by the law and the strings he knew Bashar could pull.
I had faith that my brother wouldn’t do anything of the sort and that he understood I would hate him for probably the rest of our days if he did. The coldhearted, about his business Bashar in the courtroom was foreign to me, as he was never like that toward me or around me. In fact, he was the brother I could boss around and squeeze the most out of growing up. But I had seen aglimpseof the infamous criminal defense attorney that day at the park.
“Yeah. You always look pretty. I’ve never seen nothing like it,” he spoke honestly, no amusement in his tone.
“You don’t need to flatter me, Low. I . . . like you.” I caught myself from saying something deeper.
“I’m not. I’m just making an observation and speaking on the shit. You always look done up and shit, even in yo’ chill clothes. I don’t know what it is you do, but I have never seen you look dressed down.”
“Well, my mama always taught me that jewelry, well done eyebrows, mascara, and perfume will make you look good all the time. I never forgot it.”
“No wonder ’cause Miss Lisara is fine?—”
“Shut up!” I giggled.
“What shouldIwear?” he questioned, catching me off guard.
“Um, if I’m gonna wear something pretty, most likely pink, then you should wear whatever you’d wear to like a club or whatever you like.” I bobbed my head as if he could see me.
“Aight,” he said after some time, like he was thinking.
“Can’t wait to see you,” I murmured lovingly just before Carolyn clapping and Nikita scoffing pulled me back to reality. “I will see you later.”
“Likewise, Peep. If you only knew.”
“Bye,” I sang, hanging up with a smile on my face.
As I got back into formation, I couldn’t help but to think about how much better the last remaining half an hour of practice had gone after talking to Low.
This was the second time his presence had improved my dancing, so I was starting to think maybe the niggawasgood luck.
