“Nonsense. That knucklehead ain’t my damn favorite, he’s too hardheaded. Look where he’s at now,” he vented, and he could go all day if you let him. Baby looked back and forth between us, wondering how we knew each other.
“Oh! GD, this is Baby…” I pointed to her before my hand pointed to him. “Baby, this was my pop’s best friend.”
“That’s all I am? I should kick yo’ ass out right now.” I waved, sucking my teeth.
He frowned at me.
“I wiped his shitty ass and he standing here disowning me.” She giggled as he faced her, his hand out for her to shake. “Nice to meet you, Baby. I’m Trent Raymond, I'm Love’s Godfather.”
She extended her free arm to shake his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Raymond.”
She shot me a look, and I smirked, kissing her knuckles. I knew it was gone be hard to find somewhere to take her on Valentine’s Day, and this place is the only one who’ll always serve me, no matter what. My GD was on vacation around that time, but all the workers here knew me personally.
The worst part, though, was getting arrested in his place of business. This was my first time seeing him after that accident, but he had a lot to say earlier when I hit him up.
“Call me Trent. I’ve heard so much about you, pretty lady.”
“You did?” She smiled.
“Sure did. Love bragged about you like a ten-year-old with a crush, didn’t you, boy?”
She looked at me for confirmation. I stared back with a blank expression, shaking my head back and forth.
“Quit that lying, Love.” He locked eyes with Baby. “Personally, I don’t see why you like him.”
She giggled again. “Anyway, let’s get y’all seated. I’m going home to my wife but stay as long as you want to. Everybody knows what to do.” He gave me a knowing look, and left us standing there at the door.
“Come on.” I pulled her away from the door.
“We didn’t come this way the last time,” she pointed out, looking around.
“Yes, we did, Baby.” I turned the knob that led into the main dining area. Smiling to myself, I pushed it all the way open, so she could see inside. Immediately, her hands started clamming up as she let out a gasp.
“Love? You did all this? Where is everybody?”
“We have it to ourselves for the night,” I let her know.
“Are you serious?” she asked in disbelief.
Leading her to the table in the middle of the floor, I watched her sit down before kissing her forehead.
This damn girl gone be the death of me.
49
BABY
This negro clearedthe place out just for a do-over. He’s insane!
“Love, you really did this for me?” I looked around the empty place. It wasn’t anyone here but the server who was taking care of us and the bartender who’s wiping glasses. Clearly, for no reason, because ain’t nobody here to use them.
“Yea, I told you I wanted a do-over.” I smiled at him. The bouquet of red roses next to my chair caught my eye.
“These are so pretty.” Reaching out, I touched the stem. “You didn’t have to do any of this. I would’ve been fine with just going to your place.”
“I’m sure you would have, Baby.” We were still holding hands, only letting go for a short while when we started eating. Once both plates were taken, he reached for my hand again across the table.
“The food was good. Did Mr. Raymond cook that?”
