Page 39 of City of Gods

I was going to cock block the fuck out of Daniel.

“I’m going home. I have shit to do,” I lied, grabbing my coat and slipping it on. “Y'all sit here and enjoy yourselves. Hakim, try not to eat a fucking hole in the table.”

“Try not to get your ass killed for showing up on Daniel’s date with your girl,” Hakim shot back.

I tossed up my middle finger and exited the restaurant because they were both right. I was going to crash their little date. Fuck that. I needed to make sure Daniel kept his hands to himself.

So when I got home, I showered, played a little Musiq Soulchild in the background, and put on my flyest shit.

A deep emerald green button-down shirt and a pair of charcoal gray slacks. The satin shirt gave the perfect sheen. I looked in the mirror and smirked, running a hand over my chin, then my waves. There was no goddamn way I wasn’t leaving the pier with Sanai.

I was about to walk out of my room when I realized I felt empty without something on me for protection. Even though I’d started coming to terms with what I’d done last night, I was still shook. I didn’t want to walk around Bellmore without having a gun on me now that I knew there were people out there plotting. So, I tucked my pistol in my waistband for insurance. Maybe it was paranoia. Maybe it was the difference between life and death.

Before I left and headed toward the pier, I sent Sanai a text to ask her what her plans for the night were.

Sanai: Minding my business, Bakari. *eye roll emoji*

Me: Oh yeah? Minding your business alone?

Sanai: No.

Me: Cool. I’ll see you later then.

Sanai: Later meaning… *looking eyes emoji*

I didn’t respond. I decided to take my ass to the pier. As if I needed any more persuading.

When I pulled up, the entire area was lit up with twinkling lights against the darkness of the sky as usual. Since it was freezing outside, there weren’t too many people walking along the small stretch of sand that led to the ocean. A few couples were dashing inside of restaurants and there were wisps of conversation lingering in the air. I looked around at the restaurants and figured that Daniel would try to flex and take Sanai somewhere expensive so that narrowed down the choices.

I noticed her car parked at the second restaurant I checked. It was a nice soul food spot called Marcus Jackson’s. I knew Marcus personally and fronted him the money he needed to open the spot so I knew when I walked in, it would be all love.

Before I even got to the maître d, she smiled at me and waved me around the short line of people waiting to get seated.

“Breeze! Hi!” she said in a soft quiet voice.

“Kim, what’s good, sweetheart? Marcus in the back cooking tonight?” I quizzed after a brief hug.

“He is. He’s going to be so happy you’re here. He was just telling the staff how anything is possible with the right people around you and mentioned you and how he ended up getting this spot.”

“Yeah?” I smiled and slid my hands in my pockets. “That’s what’s up. The place looks amazing and there’s no shortage of customers I see.” I ignored the exasperated expressions from people who weren’t being seated immediately and continued talking to Kim.

“Oh, absolutely not. Matter fact, everyone is about to be pissed because you always get preferential treatment. We have a table available if you want one.”

“I did come here to eat a little something.” I pulled in a slow breath and said, “Actually, there’s a girl who’s here with someone and I wanted to check on her.”

“Breeze…are you serious?” she laughed, tipping her head back. “I’ve never seen you chase after a woman before. All these years I’ve known you and you never tried to chase me.” She batted her lashes at me, and I laughed a little.

“It’s not because you’re not gorgeous, though, Kim. You know that.” She pursed her lips together and rolled her eyes at me but motioned for me to follow her after saying a few sweet, polite words to those waiting in line.

When we rounded the corner, I leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Hey, buy those people in line a drink on me.”

“Like you ever pay when you’re here.”

“I know, but seriously. I feel fucked up for taking priority. I mean, I know I’m the shit.” I sniffed and Kim cracked up laughing. “But fair is fair.”

“I got you, Breeze.” She paused and looked around the full seating area. “You see your friend?”

I spotted Sanai immediately by the window and nodded, never once taking my eyes off her golden skin and red-painted lips. She was beaming with a beautiful smile that I wanted a front-row seat for.

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