We made our rounds, mingling with everyone. It was nice bringing everyone together after all the craziness we’d endured.
“You know how to throw a party, sis.” Priest smirked at me before dapping up Ahkeem.
“Know how to keep a secret too. You knew she was doing this?”
He nodded at Ahkeem. “Had my pregnant-ass wife running around like a chicken with her head cut off trying to help her put all this shit together. It’s your golden year, bro. 31 on the 31st. How you feel?”
“Like I’m on top of the fucking world.” Ahkeem grinned widely as he pulled me closer.
“That’s what I like to hear. Enjoy yourselves tonight. You two deserve it. Me and Gioia will take care of Blue for the night. Gen been feening for a cousin sleep over anyway.”
Our eyes gravitated to the dance floor where Genesis and Saphir were already bopping around together with J’Ru’s daughter, J’Ream and Javi’s and Zylynn’s kids Zion and Zaria.
“Boy, when they get older, they gone be fucking the club up with them awful-ass dance moves,” I cackled.
“My son can’t catch a beat to save his damn life.” Priest shook his head.
“Yeah, just like you.” Britain rolled up on us, clowning Priest.
He smacked his lips while side eyeing his wife. “A nigga like me don’t dance.”
“Yeah, and you gave your lack of rhythm to my baby.” Britain proceeded to hug both Ahkeem and me before telling him happy birthday. “So… I’m pretty well versed on who’s who, but who are those two ladies at the bar?” She slyly pointed to Ahkeem’s sisters.
They were stunning. Khadijah, who was the eldest, was dressed in a black satin dress with lace trimmings and stood tall in her Renee Caovilla heels. She had a jet-black pixie cut that framed her gorgeous face perfectly.
Next to her was Niema, the second oldest. She was fitted in a draping, long sleeved midi-dress that was backless and allowed her back tattoo of Arabic script that went down her spine to be on full display. Her feet were adorned in a pair of Stuart Weitzman pumps. She had a sleek ponytail that drifted down to the small of her back. The sisters were having a drink with some laughter and light conversation.
“My older sisters. That one is Khadijah, and that one is Niema. I’m the baby,” Ahkeem enlightened her.
“They’re gorgeous. But where were they at the wedding?” Britain folded her arms against her chest over her rounded belly, already on defense.
Ahkeem chuckled as he reached over and rubbed her belly. “Chill, tiger. It’s complicated. You still the annoying big sister I never wanted.”
“Haha, very funny. You should go talk to them. I need the details on that dress Niema has on,” Britain encouraged him.
He glanced over to his sisters before sighing. “I’ll get to it. Gonna go chop it with the homies. Y’all enjoy the night. Not too much though, sis. I don’t wanna share my birthday with baby Eden.”
Ahkeem whisked me away toward his crew with my hand in his. They showed him big love, hugging him and telling him happy birthday.
“You look sharp, square-ass nigga,” Ahkeem teased Jersey while dusting his shoulder off.
“You lucky it’s your birthday ‘cause I would get on your ass. Stupid-ass nigga.” They dapped each other up. “Wifey sent us jet details for a flight to Miami in a few days. We on that?”
A smirk pulled onto Ahkeem’s lips as he turned to look at me. “You been in my business?”
“I may or may not have overheard the conversation you were having with Kross while we were at dinner. Figured I would jump ahead of things and get you guys your flight. Had PJ’s pilot slip it under the radar just like he used to do for him while he was back and forth from Italy.” I shrugged my shoulders innocently.
“Yo, your wife solid as shit,” Jersey gassed him up while squeezing his shoulder.
Ahkeem bit down on his bottom lip as he eyed me. “Yeah, I’m a real lucky man. She may be a little nosy, but she keep shit running ‘round this motherfucka’,” he praised me.
My cheekbones rose, and my face heated up before I kissed his cheek.
“You know you can’t come with us to Miami, right?”
I rolled my eyes. “I know. I’ll be working on Bar Remedy NYC while y’all go dead that whack-ass nigga in Miami. You guys come back with his blood so I can finally get a good night’s rest.”
Ahkeem stuck his hand out for me, and I shook it. “Bet.”
