Heels of Love (G Street Chronicles Presents From Love to Loathe Series) (5 page)

“That’s what I thought. One of my besties is from there.”

I knew Chelle would want the scoop on him so she could do what she did best: unofficial research. I gave her all the information I knew. She seemed satisfied and made me promise to text her back tonight while I was at dinner with him and to call her as soon as I got back to the condo.

After I finished my prep for the next day, I made it to the condo at a quarter after five. The parking attendant gave me a sticker to place in my car for the garage. I grabbed my suitcase out of the truck. I always kept a suitcase full of clothes and shoes just in case. My mother embedded this preparedness into my brain. She said, “You never know when you’ll be stuck somewhere and can’t get home.”

I placed the keycard in the door of 808. As soon as it opened, I was surprised to see a basket full of my company’s logo mugs, travel cups, coffee samplers, chocolates, nuts, fruit, and a bottle of wine. I took the basket to the kitchen, and there was a kickass coffee maker all chromed out on the counter. I opened the cabinets: nothing but our signature coffees and dishes. The fridge was stocked with creamers, syrups, and sauces. And in the freezer was every flavor of ice cream we carried. I slammed the freezer door, cursing them for trying to keep me in my size sixteen. Even now, I was rudely knocking on eighteen’s door.

I walked back into the foyer and entered the living room. The color scheme was silver, grays, and greens. All the walls were brick except for the bathroom. The bathroom walls looked wet, but it was just the high gloss shine giving it that wet look. I showered and put on a pair of black stiletto jeans, a black paillette tank top, a leather jacket, and a pair of Pink Bottoms platforms. I only wore two silver rings on my fingers and a pair of silver hoops. I had too much boob action going on for a necklace. I went light on the makeup, only wearing mascara and lip gloss. I wrapped an infinity scarf around me three times, grabbed my clutch, and then headed down.

The desk attendant stared at me; I walked over and introduced myself. I explained that I had come in through the garage earlier. The door attendant held the door open for me, and I saw the black Expedition. Jyme got out the truck and walked towards me. He was wearing a cream cable knit sweater, denim jeans, and boots. I didn’t know how I was going to keep my hands off him this evening. We both wore our hair down for our second date. His was longer than mine was, but I’m sure I probably had some of his cousins or aunts in my extensions blend. I wanted to run my fingers through his coal black hair, but I knew I had to control myself.

He held the passenger door open for me and helped me into the front seat. He shut the door and I pulled my seat belt around me. As I leaned over to secure the lock, I noticed a shadow in the back seat. I jerked, and then there were two different laughs coming from the back of the car. When Jyme opened his door, the dome light came on, and I saw two men sitting in the back seat. I unlocked my seat belt and jumped out the truck in the blink of an eye. I left the door open and headed back towards the attendant. “What did you say to her?” was all I heard coming from the truck.

I heard footsteps coming after me, and I yanked my head around. “I’m not sure what sick games you had in mind, but I don’t get down like that.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, …Wait!” he begged, stepping in front of me. “I told you that two of my friends popped up, and now we would have two joining us for dinner. You didn’t get my text?”

“WHAT?” I yelled back at him.

“I texted you, forty minutes ago,” he explained.

I pulled out my phone and touched the screen; nothing happened. I tried to power it up, and the battery symbol popped up on the screen. My phone was dead; I had forgotten to charge it. “Ohhh.” I said.

He stood there, staring at me.

The door attendant opened the door and looked at us. “Is everything alright, Ms.?” he asked.

“Yes, I’ll be right there,” I answered.

“Why?” Jyme asked.

“I need to go and get my other phone …”

He interrupted me, “I have a micro USB charger in the truck. You can charge it there.”

“Look, you are seriously shadowing my comfort zone right now. I will meet you at the restaurant,” I snapped back at him.

“I can ditch them if you want me to,” he said.

“It’s not a problem. I would just rather drive myself that’s all.”

“You will be there?” he asked, staring me straight in the eye.

“Yes, I’ve already told you that.”

He ran his fingers through his hair and walked back towards the truck.

I stepped into the building and went straight towards the elevator. “Is everything alright Ms. Hooper?” Randy, the clerk, asked.

“Yes, everything is fine. I just decided to drive myself,” I said.

“Ms. Hooper if you give the valet your valet key, he will bring your car around every time you need it,” Randy stated.

“Oh well, I will have to do that. Thank you, Randy.”

I rushed back to the condo and grabbed the Blackberry off the counter. I clicked on Chelle’s number and listened to the ringing.

“What up, Trick?” she answered.

I explained what I needed, and she was more than happy to oblige.

A few minutes later, I walked into Mondello, and there was a beautiful, plus-size Native American woman waiting at the entrance.

“Ayashe?” I asked.

“Cricket?” We both nodded and smiled.

Chelle couldn’t make it to me in time, so she sent the next best thing: her friend Ayashe, who just so happened to have been from the same reservation Jyme was from. I felt at ease when she put her arm through mine. We both walked back over to the hostess, and I gave her Jyme’s name. She looked a little confused then waived over a waiter. He brought another chair to the table set for four.

Jyme stood, and then his two counterparts did as well. They all greeted Ayashe, well, everyone but Jyme. He didn’t say a word, just stared at me. I asked one of the men next to the empty chair to scoot down. He did so, and then we all sat down.

I was glad for the warmth of the restaurant. It was time for the twins to make a grand appearance. I pulled off my leather jacket, and Ayashe removed hers as well. The waiter was back taking our drink orders. I made sure I would really act this show out. “What types of white wines do you have?” I asked. I unwrapped my infinity scarf slowly, pretending as if I was seriously listening to what the waiter was saying. Once I was done unwrapping, I answered him: “A glass of the Mandrarossa.”

The waiter’s eyes widened and he gave me a cheerful look. The three men at the table were in awe at the showing of the twins. The girls had never let me down before, and I needed them to put on a superb performance tonight. The twins were the only way I knew to take my nerves away.

Ayashe ordered a glass of the Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie.

I held one hand around my neck and the other up, trying to catch the waiter’s attention. “Excuse me. Can we just get a bottle of the Delle Venezie instead? I asked.

The waiter agreed and said we had made an excellent choice.

I turned back around and focused on the menu in front of me. My phone chimed in my clutch; I opened it and pulled out the phone.

“Cricket, this is Kanoke and Loon. You guys, this is Cricket” Ayashe introduced. They both nodded at me, and I smiled at both of them. I touched the screen of my phone; I had a text from Jyme.

“Are you mad at me?”

I hit reply and typed, “No. Why?”

I turned to the man next to me, worked to remember his name, and said, “Kanoke, did you guys already order?”

“No, we just got drinks.”

I finally noticed that the two guys were dressed in almost identical gear. Both wore jeans, t-shirts, and boots. Their leather jackets hung around the backs of their chairs.

My phone chimed again, and I looked up at Jyme. He was staring at me with no expression whatsoever on his face.

I looked down at my phone, and the screen read, “How do you know Ayashe? And why did you bring her?”

I hit reply: “She’s a friend of a friend, and she was bored.”

The waiter was back with our bottle and two wine glasses. He took our orders. I ordered the Pollo Al Cartoccio, and Ayashe got the Braciole. The guys ordered, and once Kanoke was done, I asked him if he’d been here before.

He told me Jyme was the one who went out to these fancy, pansy, restaurants.

“Why?”

“Ever since the breakup, he has been on this ‘learning all types of other cultures’ kick.” My phone chimed, and I turned from Kanoke. The screen read, “You’re making me jealous.”

I felt the warmth all the way down to my toes.

“You’re the one who wanted to have a party tonight,” I texted back.

I turned to Ayashe, “Have you ever been here before?”

“No, but I’ve heard excellent things about it.”

“Jyme, what made you pick this place?” I asked from across the table.

“You don’t like it?”

“No. I think the ambiance is amazing.”

“I came here a few months ago, and I liked the food,” he said.

“Well, after that fabulous lunch today and then that amazing cheesecake, I’m starting to believe you are the food whisperer.”

Kanoke and Loon both stared at Jyme.

Ayashe stood and excused herself for the ladies’ room.

Jyme stood as I was about to join her and walked over to take Ayashe’s seat. He put his hand on my forearm.

Kanoke and Loon both stood and walked away from the table.

The whole scene happened in less than ten seconds, but it was the most intense ten seconds I had ever experienced.

“Leave with me now,” he pleaded. He turned so I could see nothing but him.

“Where do you want to go?” I croaked out. He placed a hand on the side of my face, and then his fore fingers gripped the back of my neck. He pulled me closer to him and dug his face into my hair. I could feel his hot breath on my ear, and then my skin was covered in chill bumps.

“I…” is all that came out of his mouth, and I closed my eyes. “I don’t care where, I want you alone, now,” he whispered.

Everything inside of me melted. I let out a whispered “Oh,” and he chuckled in my ear.

“Shall we?”

“I can’t,” is all I could get out.

“Why not?” he growled in my ear.

“Ayashe,” I answered coherently. Someone behind us cleared their throat, and his hypnotism session on me was released.

I let out the breath I sucked in when he first touched me.

Two waiters stood there with our plates.

Jyme continued sitting in Ayashe’s seat. She came back to the table, went straight to Jyme’s seat, and poured herself another glass of wine. I liked Ayashe. She had this easy air about her. Chelle had been certain of Ayashe’s presence before even speaking with her. She seemed like a ride or die friend.

Jyme had ordered the Fettuccine Di Mare. His platter was full of mussels, calamari, prawns, and claims. Everyone started digging in immediately. After a minute or so, we were all gushing over our dishes. Soon after that, the massive sharing session began with everyone eating off of everyone else’s plate. The portions they gave us were so hefty that everyone could share several times.

After we were all stuffed, Jyme ordered everyone coffee and requested a piece of each dessert they offered. We all turned to look at him; he started laughing.

“They only have six; we can all share,” he explained.

I had to excuse myself. My three glasses of wine were running right through me. I placed my napkin on the table and looked at Jyme. “Excuse me I need to get by; I have to go to the ladies room.” I turned in my seat, and he gave me a wicked smile.

He leaned over and brushed my long extensions over my shoulder. He put his lips right up against my ear again. “Can I see you later tonight?” he asked.

“Um, I need to think about that”

“Okay.” He stood and held his hand out for me.

I gave him a smile and grabbed my clutch. I placed my hand into his, and he pulled me up.

We both walked to restrooms, hand in hand, and got a few stares. He walked me to the ladies’ restroom.

Once the door shut, I almost ran to the stall; I had to use it emergency style now. My bladder was at ease, I felt like a new woman. I blotted my face and reapplied my lip gloss.

As I stepped out the ladies restroom, there he stood. He reached out for my hand, and I slid mine into his. The desserts were arriving when we returned to our seats. Once again we all shared, everyone getting a little of everything.

“So Jyme, when was the last time you saw Elle?” Ayashe asked.

Chapter 3

All Hell Broke Loose

E
veryone stared at Ayashe, and then their attention went to Jyme. I swallowed a spoonful of the lemon sorbetti, and noticed no one else was enjoying his or her dessert. I put my spoon down with a clank and swallowed slowly, trying not to make a sound. All three guys at the table looked uneasy, and Ayashe looked chilled. She was up to something; it was obvious. She had saved this performance for the ending, and I wondered why.