“It be your own people.” Melonie shook her head. “But, yes, Leila! You and my sister could just get ready at my place then we can meet Chris, Ki, and Ramell there.”
“Ramell?” Mrs. Latrina repeated with lifted brows.
“He’s my little friend. Isn’t that what women your age call the men you deal with?” She grinned.
“I call minemy husband, heffa.” Mrs. Latrina laughed. “Keep on and I’ll tell your mama aboutRamell.”
“Oh, God, please don’t,” Melonie groaned. “She’ll be trying to marry me off by the end of the night and expect a baby by New Year’s Day.”
“You ain’t lying.” Mrs. Latrina laughed. “Pat knows she’s ridiculous, but that’s my sister, so don’t do too much.”
“I’m just saying.” Melonie shrugged. “So, is it a yes, Leila?”
I eyed Melonie, her aunt, and the girls again before smiling and nodding.
“Yes. I’ll go.”
“Perfect.” She clasped her hands together then ran off calling for her sister.
Mrs. Latrina was right behind her, so I turned my focus to getting the kitchen cleaned back up while shaking my head. I hadn’t been out in forever. Fun for me was my baby achieving something new or beating the crowd to Total Marketplace on their restock day, so I hoped that they were all ready to practice patience with me later.
I spent a few more hours with the girls since they were basically inseparable now. We’d been watching T.V. in Kiyan’sden since we arrived, but his little cousin showed me that he had a whole theater room in his house when she asked if they could watchThe Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
It was decked out like an actual movie theater too with reclining chairs and a popcorn machine that had every flavor of salt you could think of to go with it. There was an ICEE machine too, but it had to be plugged up and blended, so I got them regular drinks instead, but I did make some popcorn and let them pick candy from the selection he had. The two of them didn’t even make it halfway through the movie before they were out. I didn’t bother waking them, I just made sure they were both covered with the throw blankets they had before I crept out of the room. Kiyan had cameras all over his house, so the others would be able to see when one or both of them woke up.
I went upstairs to put some things I was taking to Melonie’s in my bag since she wanted to leave soon so we’d have plenty of time to get ready. My nerves were totally rattled in anticipation for the night, but I was throwing caution to the wind. I couldn’t remember the last time I hadadultfun, so I was changing that tonight. Even if it was only a one-time thing, I’d at least be able to say that I’d done it.
Chapter Ten
“Ay, bro it’s beautiful here,” Chris commented as we made our way down the sidewalk of downtown Atlyn City toward the bar. The ladies were on their way, but we were going in to grab a table so they for sure had a place to sit when they arrived because if I knew Mel, I knew she had on some heels and would be complaining that her feet were hurting.
I couldn’t lie to myself; when I got back to the house and they told me that Leila had agreed to come out, I became super anxious. I was looking forward to seeing her done up and out of her element. She was absolutely stunning without makeup and lounging in everyday attire, but I was excited to see her tonight.
Miranda: We’re here.
Mel: Don’t have a heart attack when you see Leila.
Mel: She looks so good!
Mel never made anything any better and she didn’t take anything serious. I was already on edge waiting to see Leila, but now it felt like my heart was going to leap out of my chest with each ticking second.
Where we were seated, I had the perfect view of the door, so I watched it with heavy anticipation, my leg bouncinguncontrollably. When I saw someone that wasn’t Leila walk in, I wanted to shout for them to move, but I willed myself to have self-control.
I was just about to tear my eyes from the doorway and text my cousins when I noticed Miranda entering followed by Mel, then when Leila entered everything around me seemed to slow down. She was unexplainably beautiful. The lighting over the door hit her perfectly, shining down on her like a spotlight, almost like it was announcing her entrance.
Her eyes moved around the room until they landed on me. A smile spread across her face before she started in my direction and my fingers curled around my glass of Jack Daniels as if I needed it for grounding. As she made her way over, I took in every aspect of her.
Her makeup was clearly the handiwork of my cousins, or hell, she could have done it herself, but either way it was done perfectly and had my chest stalling because of how much it complemented her already beautiful face. She was wearing leather pants that hugged her curves just right, a top that showed off just a glimpse of her stomach and just the right amount of her cleavage, teasing every inch of my being. It was now a proven fact that she could have been donned in a garbage bag and she’d still have me ready to risk it all without a second thought.
“Close your mouth, Ki. You’re about to drool,” Miranda leaned in and said, tearing me out of my trance.
When I glanced at everyone around the table, they were all wearing stupid smirks on their faces. I didn’t care though. I was sure that any man in the room that saw Leila was thinking the same thing that I was—I’d never seen anyone more beautiful.
Ignoring my family, I took Leila’s hand when she was close enough.
“Hey. I’m sorry we’re a little late. I wasn’t sure about this outfit at first,” she said softly.
“You look amazing, Leila.” I held eye contact with her because I wanted,no I needed, her to know how gorgeous she truly was. I allowed my eyes to cascade down from her face to her pretty ass feet then back up. “Wow.”
