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“Girl, ain’t nobody stuntin him.” Her voice is shaky and untrustworthy. She instantly gets attacked with an eye roll. She’s better off telling me she wants to shave her head to play Tupac in a new biopic. At least then, I’d partially believe her.
“Mhm. Just come on, I need to put his order in so I can bring his food back out.” She pulls me by the arm before we can head back in. “Oh, no, I’ll do it for you.”
I cross my arms, laughing hysterically. “Hoe, you must think I’m Boo-Boo the fuckin’ fool.”
“I can do it, sis. It’s just food, right?”
“Dime…”
She asks even louder the next time. “Right?”
“Fine, whatever. Just come on.” I grab her by the hand, taking her back inside. We politely move past the sea of attractive bodies gyrating on the dance floor until we’re in the kitchen. I put in a twelve piece hot wing and fries order to my cook, Sarray, telling her to hand it off to Dime once finished. I leave her there, rushing back to the floor to continue business. I’m moving so fast, I collide smack dab with a young woman dancing by herself near the bar.
“Ooh, I’m sorry, ma,” I say, apologetically.
“You’re good, baby,” the woman replies, sounding hella familiar. We quickly make eye contact, revealing that the woman is one I know well enough. Syren.
She’s dressed in blue from top to bottom, moving her hips with a hypnotic glare in her eyes. Her hair is straight down, reminiscent of Aaliyah in her Rock the Boat video. She’s completely bathed in the lounge lights, highlighting all of her best features effortlessly. Syren grabs my hand, swaying around my waist. Her presence has me completely thrown off. Though it’s good that she is here after the little stunt she pulled with Damien at his shop. Because there’s some things that need to be figured out. And it can’t wait.
“Happy to see me?” she asks sweetly in my ear, pushing up on me. “Mhm. Very.”
I forcibly drag her by the hand, taking her from the dance floor before she can get too comfortable flirting. We’re in the nearby women’s bathroom before another minute shifts. Lucky for us, there’s nobody else around. I take her into a stall, closing the door behind us and locking it. She’s smiling hard like she already knows what’s next.
“Couldn’t wait for me after all, huh?” she asks, reaching for my waist.
“Just like you couldn’t wait to see my husband again, huh?”
“I just stopped by to get coffee.”
“That’s not what I was told.”
There’s remorse in her eyes. “Are you upset?”
“Upset with you trying to fuck my man while I’m nowhere around? You could say that.”
“I’m sorry,” she says, sounding insincere.
I place my hand around her throat. “Are you really?”
She whines in approval, nodding her head yes. I squeeze tighter.
“If you ever go behind my back again, we’re going to have a big problem. Got it?”
“Yes.”
She’s pulled closer. “Yes, what?” “Yes, mami.”
“Say it again.” “Yes, mami.”
A kiss is planted against her cheek.
“Good girl. But you still need to be punished. So, I expect to see you at the house in two hours. Two. If you’re even a second late, your punishment tonight becomes more severe. I’ll see you there. Now leave my lounge.”
“Yes, mami.”
I reopen the stall door, allowing her out before me. She submissively trots out of the bathroom, aroused and smiling like Satan’s sister. I sigh to myself, following her out, still maintaining the same serious expression. Syren better stop playing with me. That’s all I know. I watch her move past everyone, right towards the front door. Tyesha is watching us from afar, suspiciously. She receives a calming head nod, signaling everything is okay. As Syren is preparing to walk out, Dime comes back in from taking Rayne his food. The two of them almost bump into each other, standing only inches apart.
They lock eyes like two ferocious lionesses, both scouting the same piece of meat as prey. Dime crosses her arms, staring at Syren with a look of disdain. I know when Dime isn’t fucking with someone. This seems like one of those distinct times.
