I smiled. “That’s perfect, but I’m still getting us all drinks,” I insisted.
“Then let me help you.”
I ordered a round of everyone’s drinks, and Kayla and I waited while Patience, Sharise, Carlene, and Michelle headed up to the VIP area.
“Are there seriously security guards standing watch over the VIP?”
Kayla let out a laugh. “How do you think we got our guys to agree to not bothering all of us for the night?”
I raised an eyebrow. “They didn’t.” I shook my head.
“They did.” She laughed harder. “Don’t give me that look, either. Brutus was the main one insisting on how dangerous it could be.”
“It’s just a nightclub,” I said while taking my dirty martini from the bartender.
We paid, and I followed Kayla up to the VIP.
“Yeah,” she agreed. “But try explaining that to any of them. Also, Brutus is the type that sees danger everywhere.”
“Especially since someone vandalized my coffee shop a couple of months ago,” I stated.
Kayla turned to me once we reached the lounge area of the VIP section. There were low sitting chairs and loveseats, perfect for sitting and talking, but also provided enough space to dance to the dancehall music that blared throughout the club.
“How’s that going, by the way? Did they find whoever did that?” Kayla asked.
“Did what?” Michelle inquired as I handed her my drink.
“The attempted break-in,” I explained. “The police think it was some teens or something.” I shrugged. “There haven’t been any issues since. Well, a few hang-up calls, but …” I shrugged because what business didn’t receive hang-ups now and again?
I tossed my hand in the air with my drink in the other. “Let’s not talk about that now. We’re here to have fun.”
Carlene threw her hand up. “Amen to that.”
We laughed, and all drank and danced to the music. After a couple of drinks, the second and third, which our waitress brought us, I’d forgotten all about the talk of the break-in. I was sure it was just some kids with nothing better to do.
I doubted there’d be a repeat since Brutus finally got the special security camera equipment he wanted for my shop. He barely got it out of the package before he was down at Cup of Joy hooking it all up.
“Let’s go down and dance,” I suggested once I finished my fourth or fifth drink of the night. I’d lost count by then and decided it was probably time to cut myself off.
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Carlene asked.
“Yeah,” Sharise agreed. “You know how protective that fiancé of yours is.”
My grin felt wobbly, and I knew my eyes were glossy. Both from the alcohol and the emotion that welled up in me.
“My fiancé.” I drew out that word, liking how it tasted coming out of my mouth. My body warmed, and my hips started moving on their own. I either needed to dance or take my butt home to my man.
“Come on,” I whined and grabbed my sister and BFF’s hands while gesturing for the other women to follow.
“We’ll be right behind,” Patience said for her and Michelle as she held up her half-finished drinks.
“I’m down,” Kayla said, leading the way down the stairs to the main dance floor.
It was pretty crowded, but we made room. And when Beyoncé’s “Church Girl” came on, we all screamed in excitement.
I threw a hand over my head and started winding my hips to the music. I tossed my head back and forth, and when Queen Bey told us to twirl our hips, I followed instructions to the T. Carlene took my hands, and we danced while singing along to the lyrics.
When one song melted into another, Carlene and I switched so that Kayla and I danced while my sister and friend danced with one another. A couple of men tried to intervene, but Kayla politely dismissed them. I didn’t pay them any attention because they were harmless.
