When it’s time to board, Victor and his friends take their seats in the last row in first class. He takes the window seat while Elliott takes the aisle seat next to him, and Frank sits across from them. Victor puts in his ear pods and pretends to take a nap. Elliott tries to get his attention, but Victor ignores him. The last thing Victor wants to do is interact with Michele.
After a silently awkward flight to Dallas, Victor is relieved when they finally disembark the airplane. Victor didn’t want an uncomfortable van ride, so he orders an Uber. When the Uber arrives, he spots Michele and her crew loading into their van. She looks around before she gets in and closes the door. Victor sits in the back seat, relieved he won’t be seeing Michele again.
A short car ride later, Victor and his friends arrive at the hotel. As they check in, Victor completely forgot that Michele is staying at the same hotel.He freezes when he spots her at the front desk. He tries to find a place to hide, but it is too late; Michele smiles back at him.
Victor stands still as Michele approaches. “It was nice seeing you again, Victor.” She turns and walks away.
Elliott and Frank are giggling behind Victor. “Oh, shut up,” he snaps to them.
Frank wraps his arm around Victor’s shoulder. “This calls for a drink.”
“Make it three,” Victor suggests.
The next evening, Victor puts on the finishing touches to his suit. He was thankful the vest he ordered from Clarence arrived before he had to quickly pack and leave for the airport. Victor reaches for his jacket and then stops, retracting his hand. “Nah, I think I can do without.” As he’s putting on his shoes, there’s a knock at his hotel door. He opens the door, and Frank is on the other side.
Frank lets out a low whistle. “Damn boy, did you get sex this morning to make you feel sexy tonight?”
Victor rolls his eyes as he walks away. “You’re just jealous that I look better than you do.”
“Elliott’s waiting for us in the lobby,” Frank mentions as he steps inside and closes the door behind him.
“Why aren’t you down there with him?” Victor asks, discreetly placing his dagger in his vest’s upper breast pocket. Victor takes a quick glance in the mirror to ensure it’s well hidden.
Frank takes a seat at the foot of the bed. “I wanted to talk to you about something, first.”
“What’s up?” Victor asks while looking at Frank in the mirror.
“I saw James the other night. He was on a date,” Frank says solemnly.
“And why are you telling me this?” Victor asks while looking at Frank in the mirror.
“I mean, I know you two just broke up. And I wanted to tell you before you find out from someone else. Because that’s what friends do,” Frank remarks.
Victor turns around and leans against the desk, resting his hands behind him. “Thank you for telling me, Frank. But I’m fine. He wanted to break things off with me, and you telling me this just proves he never loved me. If he wants to date other guys, I really don’t care.”
“He literally broke up with you a few months ago. Aren’t you at least a little upset?” Frank asks, stupefied.
“If he was that quick to move on, then so will I,” Victor responds as he turns around to retrieve his room key.
Frank stands up and crosses his arms. “If it were my ex, I would slash his tires and set his car on fire.”
Victor snickers as he checks himself one more time in the mirror. “I’m going to be the bigger person and pray for him.”
Frank laughs, “I think he needs more than just a prayer.”
“Like what? A frying pan to the head?” Victor and Frank laugh as they head out of Victor’s room. When they reach the lobby, Elliott is waving for them to come outside where their ride is waiting.
Victor and his friends arrive at the restaurant 20 minutes later. He checks them in and the host hands him a buzzer for when the table is ready. Victor thanks him, then orders a round of drinks for the table, to be delivered when they are seated. When he steps back outside with Elliott and Frank, he receives a text.
“They should be here in about five minutes,” Victor says after reading Lupe’s text message. Seconds later, a car pulls up. Lupe gets out first and then helps Amber out. “Or maybe less,” he says in surprise.
“There’s the birthday girl!” Elliott shouts out with open arms. He pulls Amber in and kisses her on the cheek. “Damn, you clean up good. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Amber laughs, “Ass.” She looks over Elliott’s broad shoulders and is surprised to see her friend. “Victor! You made it!”
“Of course I did. I wouldn’t miss you turning the Big 3-0,” Victor remarks as he takes in his friend’s embrace.
Frank waves the buzzer in the air. “Our table’s ready, guys!”
