Once Kabria and I were seated at the bar, we placed our food orders then began to make small talk.
“How were those bad ass twins today?” Kabria asked and I laughed.
“My babies aren’t bad. They just have a lot of personality.”
“Girl, they’re heathens,” she countered. “I’m willing to bet any amount of money you put them in timeout.”
“I don’t have a timeout. I have a thinking corner.”
“How ever you dress it up, bitch, it’s timeout.” She laughed then we briefly paused our conversation because they’d brought us our food. “But guess who reached out to me to take them on as a client?”
“Who?”
“Chez.” She grinned. “He said that he needs PR for his artists. I meet with them on Monday.”
“Kabria!” I smiled. “This is huge!”
“I know.” She grinned. “Which is why you should go out and celebrate with me tonight.”
“We can celebrate right now, bitch, don’t even try it.”
“You’re a tough cookie.”
“Let’s take a shot.” I said then waved the bartender down to place an order. Once she returned with them, I grabbed mine and lifted it. “Congratulations, friend. This is only the beginning and I’m manifesting this to be the big break you need to start your own firm one day.”
“Yes, bitch, speak it into existence!” She grabbed her shot and lifted it. “To meandto you because I know for a factthat you’ll get the director position you’ve been wanting at the daycare.”
Vanessa, the current director, was retiring so her position would be available soon. She had an assistant director, Hannah, but she made it known that she was content in her position. I didn’t ask any questions because it didn’t matter to me. I just knew that I had my eyes set on the promotion. I’d always known that eventually that’s what I wanted to do, so I already completed my hours and got my director’s license.
“From your mouth to God’s ears.” I clinked my glass against hers.
I quickly downed the shot then chased it with the water that I had. The water obviously had no flavor, but I needed something to make the consumption easier.
“Next ones on me.” I noticed Irv, Tristan’s best friend, ease up at the bar next to Kabria. “What’s good ladies.”
“Hi.” I mumbled dryly, knowing if he was there then so was his friend.
Tristan and I weren’t beefing, I just didn’t waste time hanging around him. It was very apparent that I didn’t want to be with him at all, but that didn’t stop him from trying even though he was in a new relationship with another girl that danced.
He’d been a backup dancer since we were in college. He was discovered by a talent company after doing a challenge on Cliqued. He was talented as hell, and I think the fame he got from being one of the top dancers for Breeze got to his head and had him making the mistake of cheating on me. It was that same fame that he thought would win me back but he had me fucked up. I didn’t care about money or status; I wanted to be valued enough to be the only. If I wasn’t, I was gone, which is why I left.
“Damn, y’all ain’t got no love for ya boy?” Irv smiled as he grabbed his drink when the bartender placed it on the bar in front of him. “I didn’t wake up with y’all this morning.”
“Oh, but you wish you did.” Kabria said, grabbing both of the shots he got us. “Thank ya.”
“You be playing, Bria.” He slid closer to her. “Why won’t you give a nigga a chance?”
“Too many baby mama’s for me.” She nudged him back and I laughed. Irving did have four baby mama’s and five kids. I believed he was still with the last one that he had two kids by. “I have no interest in being number five.”
“I want you to be my wife though,” he argued. “Then I’ll put a few babies in you.”
“I’ll pass,” she said then lifted her cup. “Shot bestie.”
I grabbed mine and did the same before tossing it back, noting that shot was my last one. I still had the mixed drink I ordered when we first came in, so I was at my limit.
“Hey, beautiful.” Tristan slid between Kabria and me.
“Move, Tristan.” I knocked his hand from my thigh.
