Knox noticed the shift. “Who the hell got yo’ full attention for more than thirty seconds? That’s new.”
I set my glass down. “You know her?”
“Who?” he asked, looking around.
I tilted my chin toward ol’ girl. “Shawty in the red dress.”
Knox followed my line of sight, then shook his head. “Nah. Can’t say I’ve ever seen her before. Why you ask, though?”
I smirked faintly. “Just asking.”
Knox groaned, already knowing what type of time I was on. “Nah… you don’t ask questions just to ask. There’s always some kind of hidden agenda with yo’ ass.”
“I’m a businessman… everything I do has a purpose.” I paused, glancing back in her direction. “But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have something up my sleeve where she’s concerned. I wanna see what that pussy hitting on. Hell, I might disappear under that dress and conduct a private investigation, see if she tastes as good as she looks.”
Knox nearly choked on his drink from laughing.
“You good, nigga?” I asked, patting his back while he coughed like the liquor had tried to kill him.
He coughed a few more times before pointing at me. “Nigga… every thought of yours don’t need a damn microphone.”
I laughed. “What? Honesty is important in friendships.”
When Knox finally caught his breath, he shook his head. “Merge, you already half drunk, nigga. The last thing you need is another problem wearing a red dress, perfume, and heels.”
I chuckled. “Every fine woman ain’t a problem.”
He scoffed. “Nigga, you don’t even believe that shit.”
“I’m serious. Somewhere in this world, there are fine women who are stable, unproblematic, emotionally mature, and somebody’s favorite employee of the month.”
“Yeah…somewhere.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “So, you sayingyo’woman crazy?” I challenged, referring to his wife, Janira.
Knox tilted his head, looking genuinely offended. “Nigga… you saying my wife fine?”
I stared at him. “Are you saying she’s not?”
“That ain’t what I asked.”
“Bruh, let’s not act like this is breaking news. You married Janira, put three kids in her, and retired your hoe jersey without so much as a farewell tour. Clearly, she was fine enough to make yo’ ass close the roster, delete the scouting report, and start coming home at a reasonable hour.”
“That still ain’t what I asked,” he pressed.
“And it damn sure ain’t what I answered.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Look at you, fishing for compliments about yo’ own wife. That’s nasty work.” I chuckled.
“I ain’t fishing for shit.”
“Then quit throwing bait in the water.”
Knox glared at me, but I kept going.
“But nigga, you know damn well I don’t look at Janira like that. I respect both of y’all too much. But facts are facts. She’s beautiful.” I paused and looked him over. “Look at it this way, if she looked like yo’ ass, y’all wouldn’t have made it through appetizers on the first date.”
Knox shoved my shoulder. “Man, fuck you.”
I laughed. “Now you mad because yo’ wife the pretty one in the marriage. Janira carrying the family portraits on her back.”
