“You guessed rightttt!” I yelled out like a game show host, only he didn’t find shit funny. “But I’m glad you brought up party.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“Cause we were invited to one. And you’re going. And we’re gonna match.”
“Oh, nahhhhh.” He waved his hands dramatically.
“Okay, I dragged that last part,” I said, laughing. “But the part about you coming, I meant that. So, go head and throw something on so you can step witcha mom.”
“Wait. Can I at least know whose party it is since you forcing me to go?”
I smiled. “Shower and change. We’re leaving soon.”
He stared at me, as I two stepped at his door, and shook his head. I saw a piece of a smile breaking through before he got up and headed for his bathroom.
And just like that, whatever tension there was in the air from his phone call with his father had loosened enough to get him moving. I had high hopes for tonight. He’d thank me later.
As I turnedonto the block that Enzo had given me the address to, things started to look familiar. I thought nothing of the address until this very moment. We got closer, and the parking lot was packed with all kinds of luxury cars. Some cars were double parked, while others were in designated spots, separated by valet cones. As we drove farther in, a guy, who I assumed was security, directed us to a spot in the second row of the lot. This shit was a whole production.
KJ leaned forward in his seat. “Nahhh. This where the party at?” He pointed out, amused. “The diner?”
“Yes. The one Danae works at. This is so wild to me.” I glanced up, and the words SULLIVAN DINER lit up in big, red letters.
We’d visited the diner a few times to eat but not since Danae got her promotion. I would’ve never thought to put two and two together.
“Lemme call her.” I dialed Danae’s number, and she answered on the first ring.
“What you doing at my job, heffa? I told you I don’t work tonight.”
We all shared locations, so she knew exactly where we were.
“I’m here for a holiday party that Enzo invited me to… with his family!”
“Wait, Enzo is a Sullivan? Girl, the world ain’t never been that small. And wait, now I’m offended because I was banned from coming to the party and the family love me.”
“Who banned you?”
“Girl, Aura crazy ass. Talkin’ bout if I come to the party and I’m not his date, it’s gon’ be a problem. He don’t want nobody thinkin’ his woman single. Losin’ me so bad.”
“Oh, he’s a looney toon.”I cackled.
“No. He’s delusional and calculating as fuck. Then, he got the nerve to be the boss and finer than a mothafucka. It’s a deadly combination. That’s why I’m not giving in to his persistence. He’s an arrest warrant waiting to happen. You know I’m certified.”
“I thought you said his sister owns the diner?”I asked, puzzled.
“She does. They own a whole bunch of shit. When I say he’s the boss, I mean the boss of all bosses.”
“Ohhhh,”I dragged out, picking up what she was putting down.“Got it. Well, you need to come out anyway in case me and KJ get outnumbered.”
KJ snickered in the passenger seat.
“Why you laughin’?”
“Cause this the same party Cortez invited me to. And he’s a Sullivan.”
I blinked. “You lyin’.”
“Nah. Forreal. Look.”
