“You haven’t. Which is crazy to me.” I looked at the empty seat next to her and looked at Carmen. “And where is my Chloe bug?”
“Miss Mamas has been a busy bee this summer with her dad. It’s his week to keep her, so she couldn’t make it. If your behind would climb down from the Emery building and come over, you’d see her,” she jested.
I sucked my teeth and grabbed my water. “Whatever.” I picked up the menu and began looking for what I wanted to eat.
“Yumi, I’m sorry,” Chanel said.
Without looking up from the menu, I asked, “For what?”
“For siding with your parents about Emery. You were right. I was pro-Emery and Yumi, but when they told me the things he was into, I worried about your safety with him.”
“That’s the thing, Chanel. What Emery does or is into does not define him. He has never mistreated me, and if your nosy assaunt and uncle had minded their business, he would have been my husband by now.”
“But you broke up with him when you found out what he was into.”
“Because, again, your meddling aunt and uncle coerced me to do so. You, of all people, knew I loved Emery, and he loved me. I could have convinced him to come with me because that’s how much he loved me, but they made him sound like the devil himself. With us being so young, I honestly believed every word they said.” I shook my head. “But that doesn’t even matter anymore. They may have been right about what he did in the streets, but they were wrong about his character. Do you know how hard it was to watch him cry? I broke his heart, and I’m grateful that he even wants to still be with me.”
“Y’all were young, bestie. I’m sure he understood that your people had a hand in your decisions back then. It’s why he’s been applying that pressure to your ass.” Carmen giggled, and I laughed. The waitress came over to our table, and we placed our food and drink orders before resuming our conversation.
“So, what happened with Liam?” Chanel asked.
“Girllll, I’ma let her tell you!” Carmen exclaimed, laughing. I didn’t find it funny, but it kind of was, now that I looked back at it.
Chanel laughed. “Oh, hell. Please tell me what happened.”
I proceeded to tell her the story of Liam and his concubine. I refused to accept that I was ever a side piece, but honestly, I was. He was with Michelle, or whatever her name was, before he met me. How he was able to keep a whole relationship from me was beyond crazy.
I saw the signs. I just didn’t want to believe he would do that to me after being so charming, loving, and attentive in the beginning. I guess it was to prep me for his fairytale dream of having two women.
The dinner went on with us laughing and having a good time. Even though Emery told me not to drink too much, I couldn’t help it since I was celebrating with my girls. I excused myself from the table and went to the ladies’ room. After relieving myself and washing my hands, I pulled out my cell to call my husband.
“Yummy, everything good?” He answered on the second ring.
“Emmy, baby, . . . I think I overdid it.” I giggled into the receiver.
“What I tell your hardheaded ass?”
“I knooow. I’m sorry, baby. Do you forgive me?”
“Of course I do. I’ma spank that ass when you get home.”
“Mmm, careful. I just might like it.”
“I hope you will. I’m wrapping up some things right now, so I’m sending Juno and Lou for you. I’ll meet you at home.”
I smiled goofily. “My hero.”
He chuckled. “Nah, you’re the one that saved me, baby.” My smile grew wider. “I love you, mamas.”
“Ditto, baby,” I replied and hung up. I went back to our table just as the waitress came over with the bill. When I tried to grab it, Carmen snatched it up before I could.
“It’s on me,” she said, slipping her card in the leather pouch and handing it back to the waitress. She then placed a shot in front of Chanel and me. “One more shot to toast my girl winning these motherfuckin’ cases and being the baddie that she is! I am so very proud of you, friend, and I pray that you have much success from this day forward. I love you, bookie.”
I placed my hand over my heart and smiled. “Thanks, my girl. I love you more.”
“To success, love, and beyond,” Chanel said, lifting her glass. I tossed back the shot and sucked the lemon.
“Oh! I have something for you, ladies. I’m going to get it out of the car. Wait here,” I said, standing and going out to mycar that was parked a few spaces from the door. I opened my trunk and grabbed the gift bags as my phone chimed. I pulled it from my pocket and saw a message from a weird number, and I opened it out of curiosity.
