Page 48 of Betrothed To Love

“Yes,” is all I say.

“That’s going to be an adjustment for you.”

“It is but I think I can handle it. I might like coming home to a not so quiet house. You know?”

“Yeah, I know. I do miss when Skylar was younger and stayed here. I love when she visits with my little chocolate drop,” she says, referring to her niece that raised. She’s married and a mom now, living in Crescent Keys.

“I’m going to be fine.”

“Now, that I do know,” she says, then smiles. “But I do have a question. Should I be at the dinner next Friday?” she asks and I sit all the way up.

“You’re my best friend. Why wouldn’t you be?” I fire back.

“Mireya, you didn’t have to campaign your first election, so our friendship wasn’t a problem.”

“It’s not a problem now either.”

“The dinner will have your colleagues, constituents, and the damn mayor.”

“And my best friend,” I interject. “You run a legal escort service. You’ve never even had a damn traffic violation and we can’t say that shit about the mayor. You’re coming, no question, and it’s not for debate. Don’t piss me off in this theater room.”

“I just don’t want to⁠—”

I reach my hand out and grab hers. “Giselle, stop. You have been by my side since we met and I ate your free wings,” I begin and she laughs. “I’m not doing that dinner without you. Okay?”

Nodding, she says, “Okay.”

“Is the man of the hour here yet?” Kyrah asks from behind us, causing us both to turn around.

“No. I told him seven and…” I glance at the wall clock then continue. “It’s only six-fifteen.”

“Well, I’m starving. Move-in week is hell week and I’ve been going nonstop all day. Hell, all week. The dean’s office is not housing but everyone seems to miss that damn memo. I’m going back downstairs and grabbing one of those conch fritters. It smells good as shit in that kitchen,” she says.

“Don’t bother them,” Giselle scoffs.

“I’m eating, not bothering,” Kyrah says before walking out.

“Let me go chaperone her ass,” Giselle says.

“Go. I’m going to check and see where he is,” I say.

Giselle stands and goes after Kyrah. I grab my cell and call Quintus. He should at least be in the city by now. He answers on the first ring.

“Hey, kyau,” he answers.

“Qu-oy?” I question because I don’t think I understand him.

“Kyau,” he repeats. “K-y-a-u but it’s pronounced like a hard Ch. It means beauty, and goodness. You. My Hausa is minimal but I know kyau and that’s you.”

“I like that,” I admit, gushing. “I need to learn how to say it.”

“I’ll teach you, kyau. Are they waiting on me?”

“They are and so am I, but you have time. How close are you?”

“Just eleven minutes away. I just sent you my location,” he says and I hear the notification. “I made a quick stop. I didn’t want to show up emptyhanded and fuck up off rip, so I got them all something,” he says.

“Seriously! Like what?” I ask curiously.