Page 2 of Maxwell

“I don’t know their names, but I’m pretty sure I’m gonna marry the one in the silver dress,” Lincoln said.

Jayson made an exasperated face.

“I don’t want to hear it,” Lincoln said, walking away.

“This is what I’ve had to deal with,” Jayson said to Maxwell. “Imagine thinking you’ll find your wife at a damn lounge. Thank God you’re back. Oh, you need a drink.” He signaled to the cutie serving their section. “A dark ‘n’ stormy for my man. Stat.” He took out a folded bill and stuck it in her top.

She shot a flirtatious glance his way. “Coming right up.”

Jayson sank onto the soft sofa and Maxwell settled down beside him. “Deion and Arthur are on their way. Rajesh is in Canada for his sister’s wedding, but he said he’ll catch up with you when he gets back.”

“That’s cool,” Maxwell said.

“So, Monday you enter the workforce like the rest of us. You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

“A pediatrician.” Jayson shook his head slowly. “Tell me this is an angle to get more women, cause I don’t understand why you wanted to be a kid doctor. Hell, you could have chosen to be a surgeon if you wanted to be a doctor so bad.”

“I need you to show my profession a little more respect.”

Jayson laughed. “I have nothing but respect for your profession, I promise, but I’m trying to understand why you chose such a regular-schmegular job when your whole family is balling. Your dad or any one of your siblings could have set you up in a nice career or business. Look at me and Lincoln. Our daddies hooked us up with cushy jobs. I’m trying to understand your reasoning, so explain it to me like I’m five.”

“I love kids.”

“And their mothers.” Jayson wiggled his eyebrows.

Maxwell laughed. “I’m serious. I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do. I want to make a difference. Besides, I have plenty of money.” He shrugged.

“You can’t touch it until you turn thirty-five,” Jayson pointed out.

“But it’s there, waiting for me. In less than six years, I’ll be a wealthy man. In the meantime, I’m not exactly struggling.”

“No, you’re not,” Jayson acknowledged.

Jayson didn’t know this, but Maxwell’s father had originally planned for him to receive the proceeds from his multi-million-dollar trust fund when he turned twenty-five, but Maxwell had asked him to change the distribution date to when he turned thirty-five. He had all his needs taken care of and didn’t need the money. In the meantime, the trust’s investments continued to grow, making him even wealthier.

The server brought over his drink, and Jayson raised his glass. The other guys did too.

“To my man, Maxwell. Dr. Santana!”

Whistles and whooping ensued as they tapped their glasses together.

Maxwell took a sip, enjoying the flavor profile of the drink, the familiar bite of dark rum and ginger hitting the back of his throat.

“You and your drink,” Jayson said.

“It’s good stuff. I’m ready to party now.”

“Yeah, baby. That’s what I like to hear! Woo!” Jayson hollered.

Arthur and Deion finally showed up, and Maxwell, his friends, and the three women wolfed down appetizers and tossed back drinks as they partied.

Later, slightly buzzing, Maxwell sauntered over to their table covered with platters of food and popped a cold shrimp in his mouth. As he casually looked down at the dance floor, he caught sight of two older men obviously trying too hard as they cornered a couple of younger women at the bar. Some men simply weren’t smooth and believed being aggressive was the answer.

Jayson walked over. “Look at those losers, man,” he said with a laugh, noticing the same men. Then he bumped Maxwell’s arm and nodded toward a table below. “Check them out. Two o’clock.”

One of the most interesting features of NV Lounge was the tables with curtains coming down from the ceiling that could be closed to offer privacy. Seated at one of those tables in a half-circle booth were five women, the curtain open. One of the women was on her feet and wearing a white veil pinned to the back of her head as she tossed back a shot.