Andrew rubbed the back of his head and popped back. “Tell Emani to pull up on me. If the older Savage brother can’t handle her, I can.”
“Nigga, I’ll,” Jahlil grumbled, feeling the heat rush through his body. “Watch yourself.”
Aunt Violet and Andrew snickered at Jahlil’s departing back. He took the longest way to LSH – Los Oceania Steakhouse – one of Carson’s investments. He only arrived fifteen minutes late. Giving the valet his keys he strolled inside only to find that Malik had bought the entire restaurant for the night. The space was filled with damn near everyone. He scanned the area for his crew, finding them clustered on the other side of the restaurant with a shining Emani in the center.
Yes, he could smell her from the entrance. It was a soft, sensual scent that graced everyone in the room.
Yes, she looked good enough to suck off the bone. A thin-strapped cheetah print dress that hug every curve of her grown body. Red painted lips. A curly updo that framed her face. Beautiful is what she was.
No, he couldn’t get past her without talking to Malik.
“Ayo, Jahlil!” Malik greeted. “Welcome back, man.”
Jahlil gave him a slacked smile, smiled for the cameras and did the professional thing. “Thanks for having me.”
“No problem. You showed up right on time too,” Malik shared, before turning his back to Jahlil, grabbing the mic from the DJ, and calling for Emani. “Where’s my baby at?”
Emani moved from the crew toward Malik. She took his hand, spotted Jahlil. Gone was the warmth she used to flash his way. It was cold – loaded. Anger, sadness, and heartbreak. All that he put there.
“I know y’all want to eat but I need to get something out the way before the season starts. We’ve been rocking real heavy for three years now. Mani, you know I love you.”
She nodded.
“You know I want you by my side.”
She nodded again.
“You know I want you to be my wife.”
Jahlil frowned. There was no thought in this proposal. It was just some shit to do to flex. Malik snapped his finger for the jeweler to appear with the tray of rings. Jahlil snapped his eyes over to the crew and everyone had the same expression.
“What you say?” Malik asked. No bended knee, no real speech, only bullshit.
“Yes,” Emani hummed, looking at the rings. “Do I just pick one?”
“Pick as many as you want, baby,” he encouraged.
As Malik put a ring on her finger that she pointed to, Jahlil moved to the table. Carson handed him a drink.
“Needed this, thanks,” Jahlil grumbled, draining the contents down his throat.
“I think we all do.”
3 /EMANI
“This is some bullshit,”Ashton grumbled, cutting his steak.
“Indeed it is,” Kyrie hummed. “Nigga didn’t even try.”
“I’m not talking about that bullshit,” Ashton huffed. “I’m talking about this bullshit. I asked for center cut. Carson, what kind of business are you running?”
“A respectable one. I told the kitchen to give you the kid’s option and a booster. I see they forgot the booster,” Carson shot back.
“Your momma didn’t have a problem climbing on daddy’s lap,” Ashton shot back, making the whole table wince.
“I forgot about that shit,” Donnée giggled. “Wild times.”
“I’ll never forget,” Ashton quipped with a smirk.
