“Bella says it’s one of your favorites.”
“And Bella is right. Thank you,” Lucas extended with a hug.
“You are welcome.”
Lucas took a step back and raised a mischievous brow. He waved toward Xander and asked, "You remember my brother, Xander, don’t you?”
Niyah gave him a look before turning to Xander with a smile. “Oh course, I remember Xander. It’s good to see you again.”
Xander caressed her shoulder and weakened her with a blindingly beautiful smile. “It’s good to see you, Doctor Niyah. It’s been a while, though. We need to catch up. You don’t mind if I dine next to you, do you?”
Niyah blinked over at Bella for help, but she offered none. She simply stood next to her man, offering the same goofy grin as he did. It was clear that Niyah was on her own. She cleared her throat and looked up at Xander. “Of course. Let’s catch up.”
“Great.” Xander scanned the room as if he were looking for someone. “I don’t see a server anywhere. So, how about I get you something from the bar? What would you like?”
“I’ll have a white wine spritzer, thank you.”
Taylor walked up just as Xander walked away. “Wassup, ladies?”
“Hey,” Niyah spoke.
“Wassup, Tay?” Bella greeted.
Taylor looked around and blew out a harsh breath. “I’m sicka dey asses already.”
Bella laughed. “Who you telling?”
Niyah moved closer to Taylor. “How do you fit all these men in your house?”
Taylor shook her head. “We’re not at the house. We’ve been staying in our apartment in Storm Tower. They’ve perched themselves in the hall and at every entrance. They’ve practically taken over the floor below us.”
“But they’re not inside?” Bella asked.
“No, thank God.”
“Well, at least you get some privacy at home,” Niyah remarked. “Because they’re on your ass out here.”
“I know,” Taylor agreed with a chuckle. She looked over at Bella. “When are we sitting for dinner? I’m hungry as hell.”
“We’re waiting for Jaysen. He just texted saying he was five minutes away.”
Taylor turned to Niyah with a raised brow. “So, are you still playing hard to get?”
Niyah rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what you're talking about.”
“Heffa, you know exactly what she’s talking about!” Bella blurted. “Why won’t you give Xander no play? I mean... I don’t get it. He is fine as hell and rich as fuck.”
Niyah shrugged. “Good for him.”
Taylor grinned. “It’s because he’s white, isn’t it?”
Niyah laughed. “No, it’s not!”
But it was.
At least it was one of the reasons she avoided a romantic entanglement with Xander. Niyah also felt they had nothing in common. In addition, if she were to judge by the women she’d seen him with, she wasn’t even his type.
For more than one reason, Niyah was uninterested in exposing herself to the difficulties of an interracial relationship. She’d seen firsthand how a white person could commit to a blackperson and still possess racial biases. And she was reminded of that very thought process every time she was in her mother’s presence.
