I forgot I let that slip.
“He said, and I quote, ‘Was I Mr. Cassidy when I had you gagging on my dick?’”
Mom and Rae looked at each other and burst into laughter.
“Baye for the motherfuckin’ win!” Rae yelled.
“You guys are so childish. That is not funny.”
Rae nodded. “It is, but it isn’t. You clearly played when you called him by his last name, like he Mr. Belvedere or some shit.”
“No, I agree with my baby. He shouldn’t have said that, but I do understand why he did. You may not have meant any harm by it, but look at it from his point of view. You gave that man a part of you, put boundaries between y’all, and he has respectfully honored that. For you to call him that in front of the very man that broke your heart had to have hurt, because he really does like you, Alicia. And I love him for you.”
I slowly twirled the glass between my fingers, feeling bad now. My mom was right. I was fucking up big time because I didn’t know how this dating thing was supposed to go. Leo and I met in college, so I guess it felt easier when he pursued me, but after being with him for so many years, and now being divorced, I felt like a fish fresh out of water.
Just flip-flopping all over the place.
“I don’t know what to do to make him forgive me.”
“Go put on something sexy, and go over his house,” Mom suggested.
Rae shook her head. “Nah, don’t do that. What if he has another chick over there?”
“Let me go get dressed,” I said, finishing my glass.
“Oh, now you ready to pull up,” Rae said.
I laughed. “No. I don’t even know where that man lives. But I did receive an invitation to his event tomorrow. He’s having an official grand opening barbecue. His assistant sent out invites to all the parents that use their services.”
“Bet. We there.” Raeley clapped.
“You know, you’ve been having a lot of days off work lately. You didn’t get fired, did you?” I asked, smiling at her.
“Girl, please. Never will they ever fire me. I’m the best anesthesiologist they got. But I told you I was freeing up more of my time. I’ve been working like a dog for years, and my mama want some grands, so I have to get to work. I hope my baby daddy at this party tomorrow because I’m running out of time.”
“I don’t know if I should go. He probably doesn’t even want to see me until Monday, when he’s going to ignore me for the week.”
“Let me go get my grandbabies to the house while y’all figure that out.” Mommy set her glass down and stood to go upstairs. I looked at Rae, and she scooted closer to me.
“Listen, Ali Cat. I truly believe Basil is either in love with you or very strong like. Either way, I think you need to stop being a punk and show up to that party tomorrow to get your man. A man who cooks like that has to have good dick,andhe loves your babies? Tuh. You’re tripping if you allow another bitch to snatch him up.”
“You don’t think it’s too soon for us?”
“What does the amount of time you’ve known him have to do with the number of things he’s done within that time? You know I’ve never been one to believe in that love at first sight mumbo jumbo, but I think I’m witnessing it firsthand with y’all. You know you want that man just as much as he wants you. You better go get him before I do.” She bumped my shoulder, and a smile drew up on my face.
“Fine. What time will you be here tomorrow? It’s starts at five.”
“Let’s get there around seven thirty, eight-ish. I want all eyes on us when we walk in, mmkay?” We laughed. “I’ll be here at five, though, so we can get dressed together and ride together. Cool?”
“Yes, that’s fine. I hope you’re right about us, Rae.”
“Trust me.” She winked. “I’m always right.
Saturday
“I Get The Bag” by Migos blared through the surround sound speakers in the mansion I rented. Over seventy people were in attendance since Tray posted the flyer on Instagram, letting everybody know that he was home, and there was a party happening.
A ‘lituation’ was what he called it.
