Page 5 of Merci

“Aight, cool,” the lookalike said before turning toward Ariel and me. “Where y’all sitting at?”

“Oh. That’s really not necessary,” was what Ariel said, but I said…

“In the corner over there by the back.” I pointed and grinned, hoping the lookalike would entertain Ariel enough to make uscoming out tonight worth it. Well, it would have been okay if the hitter was into her too. It wasn’t like I could have him for myself.

“Aight, bet. We’ll take the empty table in front of that one so y’all can still have your privacy,” the lookalike said, giving me the impression that he was the oldest between the two.

While Ariel continued to insist that we were good, I took her hand and led her back over to our table.

“We can go now, Merci,” she grumbled, plopping down in the booth.

“No. I wanted you to enjoy yourself tonight and potentially find you a man. I’m not going to let that old bastard ruin it.”

Ariel chuckled with a shake of her head. “My divorce isn’t even finalized yet, and you’re already trying to put me with someone else.”

“So? You wasted enough time with Raheem’s ass.”

It wasn’t long before the two men joined us. Instead of them sitting at the table in front of ours, they sat at our table once I asked them to. The hitter sat next to me, while his lookalike sat next to Ariel. As much of an attitude as she wanted to have, a couple of minutes into talking to him, and she was smiling all in his handsome-ass face.

“What’s ya name?” the hitter asked me as the bartender set my and Ariel’s shots on the table.

“Merci. You?”

His head tilted as he looked my face over. “Only reason you would need that was if you were going to give me your number, Merci.”

Smiling, I sat back in my seat as I carefully considered my response. Never mind the fact that my pussy throbbed upon hearing his raspy voice say my name.

“I’m not sure what reason I’d have to do that. I got a man, so unless you needed me to help you plan a party or host anevent for you, I don’t think there’s a reason for us to exchange numbers.”

He looked down at my left hand, and curiosity covered his face. “I don’t see a ring, so you’re still single as far as I’m concerned.”

“Nah,” I said softly. “I’m not really into a man who would go after a woman knowing she’s taken. If you’re willing to be cheated with, how do I know you’re not a cheater yourself?”

He chuckled and ran his fingers down the corners of his mouth. “When did I say I was cool with you cheating on ya man with me?” When he licked his lips, I unintentionally stared at them as I licked mine in desire. “I’ma take you from him, and you’re going to be mine and mine alone. I’on do that cheating or sharing shit.”

Since I was speechless, all I could do was keep my gaze on his as I smiled. My intention was to bring my sister out so she could enjoy herself, not to contemplate cheating on my man. Technically, David and I weren’t in a committed relationship, so would it really have been cheating? I mean… we were having sex, and he did have the password to my front door. So that wassomething.

The hitter pulled his phone out, confident our time together was going to end with him getting my number. With a shaky sigh, I knocked my shot back, then put my number in his phone. He wasted no time calling my phone so I would have his number as well.

He watched as I saved his number with hearts instead of his name.

“What’s that for?” he asked, leaning against my shoulder in a way that made it easy for me to smell his cologne and the mint on his breath.

“I’m not saving your name until you prove you’re worthy. If these hearts leave before I do, I’m blocking you.”

He laughed and nodded, seemingly impressed. “Hammer.”

“Hmm?” I replied absently as I put my phone back in my clutch.

“That’s my name. Hammer.”

I figured that was a nickname, but I didn’t bother asking for his real name. If he didn’t want me to have it, either he was running game and didn’t plan to stay around for long, or he had something to hide. Didn’t matter either way. He was fine, but I was content with what I had with David.

Ariel took her shot, and we decided to go ahead and leave. Even with her seemingly enjoying her conversation with the lookalike, I could tell she wasn’t here completely. It was clear her husband was on her mind. As much as I wanted her to say fuck him and move on so she could finally get the life and love she deserved, it appeared she wasn’t ready for that yet, which was understandable.

“If his name is Hammer, what’s yours?” I asked the lookalike. “Nails?”

They all laughed at my unintentionally amusing inquiry as they walked us to the car.