“Watch where you’re—” Marcus snapped, but the words died on his lips as the man turned to face him.
“‘Sup, bitch ass nigga?” Cash grinned.
My heart sped up with a familiar giddiness when I saw him.
Cash looked too damn good in his black suit, his open-faced grills gleaming under the light of the chandeliers. His hair was freshly lined up, his beard trimmed and moisturized like he just stepped out of the chair. The iced-out watch on his wrist only added to his aura. He looked every bit of a boss.
Marcus tensed and glanced around, but folks weren’t paying us any mind.
“The fuck are you doing here?” Marcus hissed, keeping his voice low.
Cash shrugged. “I heard they were honoring dirty ass niggas tonight. Figured I’d pull up and see for myself.”
Finally, he looked at me. His gaze dragged over me hungrily until he saw the necklace. I watched the heat in his eyes turn to something colder. His jaw ticked when he saw the wedding band. I looked away and instinctively curled my fingers.
I wanted to say something. To explain that Marcus made me wear it, but the words wouldn’t come.
Marcus’s grip on my arm tightened. “You can’t do shit here,” he gritted.
“And neither can you,” Cash said. “You good, baby?”
I nodded, but my heart felt like it might pound its way out of my chest.
A voice boomed over the mic. “Alright, you gorgeous, beautiful people. The powers that be would love for everyone to find their seats so we can get dinner started.”
The dance floor began to clear as guests brushed past us to get to their tables. Marcus used the commotion to drag me away, but I could feel Cash’s eyes burning into my back as we walked off.
At our table, Marcus mumbled something about a phone call and stormed off. It was clear Cash’s appearance had thrown him off.
I was left sitting with a bunch of strangers, nodding and smiling through introductions, but my mind was elsewhere.Ten minutes. I needed to meet the woman, but without a watch or phone, I had no idea how much time had passed.Fuck it. Marcus was gone. If I was going to take a risk, now was the time.
“Excuse me,” I murmured, sliding my chair back.
I moved quickly through the stragglers on the dance floor and slipped out of the ballroom and into the lobby.
A large hand grabbed my arm. I spun around to find one of Marcus’s security towering over me.
“What?” I snapped, masking my nerves with irritation. “Y’all gotta escort me to the bathroom? Are you shitting me?”
He didn’t respond. Just narrowed his eyes as he tapped his earpiece.
“She says she needs to use the bathroom,” he said flatly. “Do I need to go with her?”
I scowled as he listened to whoever was on the other end.
“Copy that,” he said, shoving me forward. “Looks like I do.”
I rolled my eyes and yanked my arm from his grip. “I don’t know where you think I’m going,” I said. “I don’t even have a fucking phone.”
He scoffed and posted outside the bathroom door as I pushed it open.
“Five minutes,” he called after me.
I flipped him off and let the door slam behind me.
The restroom was empty except for a woman washing her hands at a sink. She smiled politely and dried her hands before walking out.
I paced for a few seconds before ducking into a stall with a sigh. “Might as well go while I’m here,” I muttered to myself.
