“He’s fine.” Keri rubs my hand with her reassurance.
“I know he’s not in danger. I just want to know how he’s doing, but he made me promise not to call him, so I’m stuck. We refused to put those cameras inside our house, so I can’t even low-key spy.”
“Good! You don’t need to spy on a giant being home alone. My new boss needs all his privacy.”
Leave it to Latoya to lighten the mood. I take another sip of the drink I’m nursing.
“So, you’re really leaving us for Hawaii?”
“Asks the person who was in Malibu living her best life.”
“Fair enough. I think you’ll do great. A change of scenery and resort life never hurt anyone.”
“You can say that again. Plus, this gives me a free room when I take a vacation.”
Keri waggles her brows and makes us laugh.
“Come on! Maybe you can find some island dick, you virgin.”
“I’m not a virgin. Just highly selective,” Kerri corrects as she adjusts the modest cleavage of her red shirt.”
Latoya, who’s half-naked as usual, adjusts her crop top as she recrosses her denim-clad legs. Her now golden hair displays her natural waves as she smacks her pink glossed lips.
“If you say so, friend.”
Latoya loves being the ‘wild’ one but hasn’t been up to her usual tricks. She turns down a drink sent to her without even a glance to see who sent it. I don’t know if Axel’s lecture has gotten to her or if this is the norm now.
“Ma’am, did you just turn down a drink and not check to see if the guy is attractive?”
Latoya’s hand flies to her chest as if she’s offended. “First of all, my new boss told us not to accept candy from strangers…” I giggle but fold my arms and continue to listen to her bullshit. She’s so gonna get on my nerves with this ‘boss’ stuff. “And it’s no point in trying to find someone here when I’m Hawaii bound. Ain’t nobody got time for a long-distance relationship with someone five hours ahead of them.”
“True, but you were all for my fling with Axel. Maybe it’s a fling in reverse.”
“And you’re welcome. He’s extra fine and rich. It doesn't work like that for everyone, though. Nothing is stopping my ticket to paradise.”
We’re interrupted again by the server attempting to give the same drink to me. I give the douche sending the drink a side-eye then turn down the server. Before I can mention the guy’s nerve, the server moves over to Keri.
“Wow. The third-round pick,” she complains as she stares hard at the guy. After rolling her eyes, she turns to us. “That is a good stroke of my ego.”
Latoya is up and strutting across the bar in her stilettos and the community drink in hand. She exchanges words with the man before he ends up wearing his drink. I’d think men are privy to such tactics by now.
The big guy with the greasy hair jumps up to get the ice off him. His frown deepens when Latoya begins to walk away. I gasp when he raises his meaty palm to hit her from behind, but the bouncers are on him before he can make a move.
It’s one of the perks for frequenting the same bar with the best drinks. I notice, however, that Mayhem is not the man pushing the bully outside.
“Back to what you were saying.,” Latoya starts like nothing happened. “You’re not the third pick, Keri. You just don’t look as easy as us. Most men who send drinks are looking to get laid. I’d looked like the best bet.”
“Makes sense,” Keri agreed. “But it’s still fucked up. I may be ultra-selective, but it doesn’t mean you and Heaven are easy.”
“Only for Axel,” I agree. “I’ve never given it up that fast.”
Latoya claps because she’s already on a slightly different subject. “I can’t wait to meet the guy who makes Keri’s freak flag fly!”
Keri chuckles then studies Latoya for a moment. Her ringlets bounce when she tilts her head to the side.
“What about you, Latoya? Have you ever met a guy that makes it all feel...different?”
“I don’t have the energy to talk right now. I’m starving.” She opens Hotspot’s menu. “What are y’all getting? I know the burgers are amazing, but I want to try something new.”
