Page 43 of Roman Blake
I wanted my eyes on her.
I told my floor manager I’d be back, grabbed my keys, and walked out the side door, lettin’ the bass from the club fade behind me.
The drive over, my mind was loud.
Her tellin’ me,“You don’t gotta know my every move, I’m grown.”
Me thinkin’,And I don’t gotta care this much, but here we are.
By the time I pulled up, the front of the lounge was packed with a line down the block, girls takin’ pictures, niggas postin’ on the sidewalk like props.
I parked opposite the entrance, didn’t care if it was a real spot or not, killed the engine, and stepped out.
Security at the door glanced up.
“Ay, big man, line start back.”
The taller one squinted, then straightened. “Oh, my bad. You good, fam. Go head.”
People in line started lookin’, tryna see who I was.
I ignored ‘em and walked in.
Inside was dark, lights low and switchin’ colors, DJ talkin’ over the track. Hookah smoke, perfume, liquor, same shit, different building.
I scanned the room once, but didn’t see her causing my jaw to clench.
I moved toward the bar slow, lettin’ my eyes run over every section, little VIP areas, the dance floor.
Then I caught a flash of something familiar… Her legs… Her hair… Her laugh.
She was posted near the middle section of the bar with Charlee and April, back to the crowd, glass in her hand. Somenigga was standin’ too close to them, talkin’ animated, laughin’ like he the funniest thing walkin’.
I stopped for half a second, watchin’.
Melissa tilted her head, smirked at somethin’ he said, did that little light touch to his arm when she laughed.
My whole body went hot.
That was the same laugh she hit me with in Saint Lucia.
Same look in her eyes.
Nothin’ about that sat right.
I moved, closer so I can get a better view.
By the time I got close enough to hear him, he was sayin’, “I’m just sayin’, if y’all was smart, you’d let me get the next round,” like he was auditionin’.
Charlee laughed. “Boy, you broke.”
April snorted. “Look at your watch.”
He laughed with ‘em, still focused on Melissa though.
I stepped right up behind her, close enough for my chest to almost brush her back.
“You forgot to send me the name, huh?” I said in her ear.
