It’s Anna.
“Weh unuh deh?!” she hollers, music wild in the background. She reach already?
“Soon fawud,” I lie. Still in my yard.
“Royal Club. Mi a send yuh the address,” she says.
WhatsApp chimes.
“Ah mi just get it. Respect,” I reply.
“Yeah, see you!” she hangs up. I wait in the car. Two minutes later, Zara comes out like she’s on runway, Stanley cup and her phone in her hand, smiling sweetly. She climbs in beside me. A powdery, floral scent comes with her. I inhale it, and tuck my lip in.
“New car? Chro, mi cyaah keep up wid yuh,” she laughs. I laugh too. She’s glowing. I start the engine and she sips from her Stanley, then tilts the straw to my lips. I sip and taste it. D’ussé.
I smirk.
“Look at you drinking D’ussé.”
She didn’t even drink when I met her.
A you bruck har out.
True.
“Mi like it,” she giggles.
As we pull out, she taps the button and the top folds down. The sun hits her skin and she smiles, eyes closed like she’s floating already. She’s ready. Har party mode activated.
49
Pier
Nickoi grips my hand tightly as we walk through the crowd toward the yacht. People are staring, but I don’t care, not with him beside me. I feel safe, like if anything were to go wrong, he’d handle it without hesitation. I glance at him, he looks confident, composed, like he was born to lead.
You could use some of that,my inner voice teases.
Oh, shut up, I mutter internally, but I still smile. His friends spot us and start calling out. Junior hugs me tightly.
“Long time mi nuh see yuh sis.”
“Nuh true,” I laugh, but I keep my eyes on Nickoi. He’s off to the side now, laughing with Gutta and Rick about something involving jet skis. My ears perk up, curious, but I quickly check myself.
Mind yuh business! Nobody a talk to yuh?my inner voice scolds.
Junior steps away and I spot Suzanne, Anna, and another girl I don’t recognize walking over.
“Zaraa!” Suzanne squeals.
“Why you so loud?” Junior fans her off, walking away. They’re clearly in love, Junior’s calm like a breeze, and playful. I watch the girls approach. Suzanne and Anna are both in orange bikinis, but the new girl ‘Lee’ is wearing black with a sheer cover-up. She’s really pretty and has a soft energy.
“You all look so good!” I tell them.
“But girl, you look amazing too,” Suzanne replies, glancing at Nickoi. “Matching your man, I see.”
I blush.
Anna and the new girl smile.
