Wait til I get my hands on Thomas.
Freaking traitor.
* * *
We pull outside Ochi’s, a Jamaican restaurant that doubles as a club. Shay’s uncle owns it. So, we’ll be VIPs all night.
On the drive here, my mood improved immensely, and I’m glad we’re celebrating. Thomas has four other guards on duty, further easing my nerves about our safety.
The passenger side door opens, and a tall man with smooth, rich, umber skin and sharply defined features greets us.
“Shay, how’s Mummy?”
“Hi Uncle, she’s good.” She points in my direction. “This is my friend Emma, and it’s her birthday. Suh, we come fi pahty.” She turns to me, and continues with her introductions, “Riah, this is my Uncle Elroy.”
I wave, and he does the same as he gives us the rundown for the night. “Irie, di room setup and unnuh will have yuh own servahs.”
“Who’s the sound tonight?” She asks. I could listen to them talk all night, but that’d probably be weird.
“Sparkles International, Platinum Kids, and Sonic.”
She turns to me, “Tonight is about to be lit.”
Thomas and three other men flank us as we walk inside.
“Just remember to have at least one of us in your sights all night,” he instructs.
Two massive men stand behind a podium, nodding to Shay’s uncle as we pass. Once we reach the ornate doors, two women in identical black dresses push them open.
“Welcome to Ochi’s. We’ll be your hostesses for the evening. I’m Abby, and this is Taylor.” Abby points to the other hostess, and we make our way inside.
“Please follow us. We’ll take the elevator to the fourth floor,” Abby says.
“Okay, yuh two haffi fun. Mi haffi to get back to di office. Shay, let mi know if yuh need anyting.” He hugs her and waves by before heading down a hall opposite the elevators.
Once seated, we place our order and talk until our food arrives.
Arching my brow, I ask, “Who’s the person I’ve caught you staring dreamy-eyed at on your phone?”
Her freckles look like they’re dancing with the number of facial expressions she goes through before she finally answers. “His name is Brenden,” her voice barely above a whisper.
“Oh no bitch, you’re not allowed to get all bashful on me now. Spill,” I demand, laughing at her. Now the shoes are on the other foot, and she’s the one in the hot seat.
“Fine. We met when I went to New York two weekends ago. He’s…he’s fucking hot is what he is, and he’s so sweet,” she gushes, her cheeks turning scarlet.
“Oh? Tell me more,” I implore.
“He’s in his first year at NYU, studying chemical engineering. We’ve only been on one official date, but we talk all the time.”
“Lemme see him.”
She reaches in her cherry red Dior clutch, whipping out her phone. As she scrolls, Taylor arrives at the table with our dinner.
“Who had the fried chicken with rice and peas and extra oxtail gravy?”
Pausing her perusal, Shay raises her hand.
“That means you had the curry goat with white rice.” She places our respective plates in front of us, leaving once we say we’re all set.
Grabbing my fork, I spear a piece of her chicken and stuff it in my mouth, only for it to burn me.
Giggling at my stupidity, she says, “That’s what you get for being a sneaky greedy bitch.”
“Just show me your guy,” I snark.
She hands me her phone, and a chocolate-skinned man with black dreads fills her screen.
“Oh, he’s freaking fine. Tell him he better act right, or I’ll stab him,” I half joke.
“Not if I stab him first.”
“Then I’ll help hide the body and be your alibi,” I shoot back, and we both laugh.
I hear a snort of amusement from Thomas, and I shrug. He knows neither of us is wrapped too tight.
“And T will be the getaway driver. Right, T?” I coax, pleading with my eyes.
He shakes his head but responds, “Of course.”
By the time we finish dinner, the restaurant is in full club mode. The UV lights are on, making the all-white club fluorescent.
Standing, we make our way down to the dance floor as the DJ plays dancehall music, mixing in some R&B and rap songs.
I watch some dancers doing some of the dances I saw at Shay’s cookout. Their bodies move with fluidity, bending and dropping into positions I’m not sure I’d be able to get up from.
Leaning over, I shout loud enough to gain Shay’s attention, “Thank you! I’m glad you convinced me to come out. I’m having an amazing time.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.