Page 51 of Mister Concierge

Twenty-Seven

Cartier

“I love when we work the same shift!” Tracy exclaimed over the music. “My shifts are so much fun with you.”

“I know, right? You have me dying laughing the whole time,” I agreed.

I couldn’t wait to get to work, but I also couldn’t wait to get off. Tonight, Hosea and I were going to have our first date night in what felt like forever. Over the past week, Mariah and Santino had moved into the suite next to ours. Mariah gave him hell about it, but eventually simmered down when she realized the only other option was to find a place to stay on her own.

Gino had been handled, so Mariah’s safety was no longer a concern. Since she wasn’t working, Hosea agreed to letting her stay in the suite until she was back on her feet financially. Whenever she moved, he offered to pay child support and half of her rent, which was a kind gesture to me. I could respect the fact that even with him making it clear they wouldn’t be together, he also made it clear that he was willing to do whatever he had to for their son.

They had gotten a schedule in place so that Hosea would see Santino every morning and he’d spend four hours with him every afternoon so Mariah could have some time for herself. Now that she felt free enough to reconnect with all of her family and friends, she’d already asked Hosea if Santino could spend the weekends with her mom, to which he agreed.

I wouldn’t necessarily say things were better between me and Mariah, but we would speak when we were in the same room. It seemed as if the roles had been reversed. Now, she couldn’t stand me, and I was totally okay with that. I also loved the fact that when Hosea got Santino now, she wasn’t around, so I had the chance to spend time with the little guy. I know she wanted that family unit, but I didn’t know when Hosea would be comfortable being around her like that, if ever. I don’t think Mariah realized the damage she caused when she up and left… how she traumatized him.

Had he forgiven her and moved on? Yeah, but Hosea wasn’t the type to stay around people he had issues with. He did whatever it took to maintain his peace. That was one of the main things we had in common.

“What are your plans for tonight?” Tracy asked as we headed over to the bar.

I had a drink order that I needed Ralph to fill, but since he was in the back, I washed my hands and did it myself. It was a simple order of a strawberry margarita and a lemon drop, so I was confident I wouldn’t mess them up. Plus, it would be good practice. I loved working in bars and lounges so much, I was seriously considering getting my bartending license.

It wasn’t something I planned to do for my full-time job, but the tips would be better and it would give me an opportunity to engage with more people. Plus, I loved when people got drunk and friendly. We would talk for hours, and they’d get even looser with their pockets when it came to tips.

Hosea just shook his head and laughed when I told him about it last night. He wasn’t surprised that I was in no rush to work at a school here in Memphis. Waiting for things to change in Cali felt like I was putting my life on hold. I was able to sublease my apartment and just needed to get the last of my things before the girls moved in. Whether the robber, Deandre, was found anytime soon or not—I wanted to stay in Memphis. I’d miss the easy access being in L.A. gave me to my brother, but the man was rich. He could literally catch a flight or put me on one at any time. Plus, I missed the crew while I was away, and I liked how things were going with me and my mother. It didn’t help that my grandparents were older. I felt like I needed to spend as much time with them as I could.

“Going out with Zay. You?”

“I’m not sure yet. I might just chill at the crib. After being here for a double shift, my bed is calling my name.”

“I don’t blame you. The lunch shift is pretty chill, but these night shifts have been no joke lately. I thought the cooler it got, the fewer people would come out, but it seems like the opposite.”

“Girl! That’s how it is with the lounge, though. Hosea’s marketing team does a great job. There isn’t ever really a slow season here, which my bills are grateful for. This has been the only lounge I’ve worked at where I didn’t have to get a second job to pay my bills, and his benefits are top tier.”

“Hey,” a young lady called with glossy eyes. “Can I get another round of fireball shots?”

“I got you,” I agreed. “How many do you need?”

“Five.”

“Where are you sitting?”

“In the back by the pool table.”

“Okay, I’ll bring them over.”

“Thank you!”

I gave her a nod and a smile before grabbing the whisky of her choice. I wouldn’t pour it until Ralph was back so I could remember to have him put it on her tab. Once I was done making the first two drinks, I had Tracy take them over to my table for me so I could tell Ralph about the shots. He put them in while I poured them and took them over to the young lady and her friends. I made my rounds to my tables before heading back to the bar, smiling at the sight of Hosea.

“Hey, baby,” I spoke as he wrapped his arms around me.

“Who’s my good girl?”

Biting down on my bottom lip, I ran my hands down his chest. “I am.”

“You know how beautiful you are? How much I treasure you?”

“Yes,” I almost whispered before placing my forehead on his chest.

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