“A family reunion?” Shane questioned.
“Yes… your cousin Deontay asked for reservations this evening as well. He’s seated outside with a lovely lady as well. But I won’t keep you long. Enjoy your night and thank you for your business,” Giovanni said before walking off.
Once he was back in his seat, we browsed the menu. It took me a few minutes to pick out a drink and appetizer. After telling Shane what I wanted, I stood and walked across the restaurant to the ladies room. I handled my business and washed my hands before digging through my purse for my perfume. I sprayed my hot spots and prepared to leave when I heard footsteps coming toward me. It was another woman coming up to wash her hands. I was trying not to stare, so I didn’t get a good look at her until she complimented my dress.
I got back to the table just in time to place my drink and appetizer order. While we waited, Shane and I spoke about him meeting my mother and his upcoming visit to see his father. I could tell the thought of seeing his dad after so much time made him nervous. I offered to come with him, but he informed me that he needed to go alone. I completely understood and we made plans for me to go another time. I was in the middle of snapping pictures of the two of us when our appetizers came.
“Make sure you send me all of those.”
“For what? You only post music on your social media pages,” I countered before taking a sip of red wine.
“I post my woman when I have one. Not every day, but enough to show people I’m not single. You’re not a secret. If anything, I’m the one who’s a secret.”
“You’re not a secret, Shane.”
“I know, baby. I’m just fuckin’ with you. Let me taste one of those shrimp.”
I didn’t know what the hell they had in this wine, but the more I drank, the more relaxed I felt. Shane had become someone I truly cared about. If we were to call it quits right now, I’d be fucked up. He saw me for me and it made me feel valued. Everything this man did had intention and that was something I appreciated. I was letting my guard down and didn’t know if that would work in my favor when all was said and done. Yet again, I was putting my trust into a man but this time I had faith that the outcome would be worth it.
“What’s good, cuz? Giovanni told me you were here, but I thought he had you mixed up with someone else.”
The sound of Deontay’s voice caused me to cringe. I didn’t understand why he insisted on playing with Shane. For me, it wasn’t the rivalry that made me not care for him. It was the disrespect he displayed when I was around. Deontay always found a way to bring Allen up and it pissed me off. The man didn’t know me but was comfortable playing in my face.
“Get the fuck outta my face. I won’t beat your ass in here out of respect for Giovanni and Dario, but I promise we can step outside and I’ll give you the ass whooping you’ve been begging for,” Shane said as he kept his eyes on his plate.
“Any time I say something to you, you always come back with a threat. You sound like a parent trying to scare his child. I’m starting to think it’s just talk. If you wanted to beat my ass so bad, you would’ve already done it.”
Abruptly, Shane stood, causing me to do the same. A few people looked in our direction and that was the last thing weneeded. Deontay liked to get under Shane’s skin when he knew Shane couldn’t do much. Aside from that, the respect Shane had for his uncle was the main thing standing in the way of Deontay not having a well whooped ass.
“Shane, not here. Don’t burn your bridges with the twins or your dad’s reputation over this nonsense. Let’s finish enjoying our meal,” I suggested as I grabbed his hand.
“It’s you again, Celeste? It’s crazy that every time I see my cousin, I see you. You’re never glued to your man’s hip,” Deontay said as he waved an arm between me and Shane.
“Allen is Serenity’s man. I’m sure you know that since you know so much. Please leave so we can finish our dinner. She seems to be waiting on you, anyway,” I said as I tilted my head in the direction of the girl.
She was the same woman I’d seen in the bathroom earlier. She was a little ways from us, but the worry in her eyes let me know she indeed was the woman with Deontay. When Shane looked in her direction, he did a double take before refocusing on his cousin.
“What the fuck you doin’ with Mia?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Deontay replied with a smirk.
Thankfully, he walked off and headed toward the exit with ol’ girl on his heels. I kept my eyes on them before turning my attention to Shane.
“You know her?”
“That’s my ex.”
“Ex-girlfriend?” I quizzed for clarification.
“Yeah.”
“That’s crazy. I saw her earlier when I was leaving the bathroom and she spoke to me.”
“I’m sure she didn’t know you were with me. Had she known, I’m sure y’all would’ve been in there like Queen Latifah and that white girl inBringing Down The House,”he joked.
“Oh, that’s how she’s coming behind you?”
“She shouldn’t be, but I wouldn’t put it past her. She got back in town not long ago and I’ve had to repeat myself every time I’ve seen her.”
