Page 8

My face contorted. “Excuse me. You told who what now?”

My sister often mistook intrusiveness for innovation. I wasn’t sure how she could have told anyone that I would come with her anywhere without having a conversation with me first. I appreciated her referrals, but not when she committed me to meetings that I never agreed to.

“So, last night, me and a few of my girls were invited to this posh-ass cigar lounge. Memoree Layne, it’s so nice. It’s called Kryptonite Reserve. The owner’s name is Ledger Johnson, and everyone calls him Kryptonite.” She paused. I wasn’t sure if she wanted me to be impressed or something.

I pushed my plate back, then leaned my forearms on the table. “Kryptonite, . . . cool. Tell me again why I have to go to this place with you.”

My eyes floated over to Sasha, who was completely vested in the conversation. I knew she was because she was quiet. She wanted all the information before she added her ten cents. Dr. Sasha Morgan didn’t carry pennies.

Milan Renee huffed. “I don’t understand how you are as successful as you are when you are so impatient. Well, when he came over to ask how we enjoyed it, I told him that his lighting could be better.” She stuck her tongue out. “You know I had to plug my big sis.”

I replayed all the things that she said in my head, but it still felt like I missed a part of the story. “Okay, maybe I missed the part where I have to go somewhere with you. Can you tell me more about that?”

“Well, after I talked you up, he said he wanted you to come in. That’s it; that’s all. So you going?” Milan Renee could be so cavalier at times.

Sasha cleared her throat. “Yeah, we’re going. We are definitely going.”

My head bucked back with confusion. She spoke with her head buried in her phone. When she finally glanced at me, her eyes told me to go with it. “I guess I’m going.”

A Few Days Later

Precious Lights . . .

I knew something was afoot when Sasha was so adamant that I attended this business meeting. When she came over the night before to all but pick out my outfit, it was more confirmation that she was up to something. When I went to business meetings, I wore business attire. Sasha and Milan Renee thought I should go more business casual sexy. What the hell was business casual sexy?

I ended up in a pair of wide-leg, navy-blue slacks with a burgundy lace blouse over a black bra. My hair was in beautiful curls. I couldn’t lie; I looked good as fuck. That was a usual thing, though.

When we arrived at Kryptonite Reserve, I couldn’t help but wonder how I never noticed this corner building that looked like it was built by the people who built the pyramids. It was immaculate. Outside and inside screamed money. The cars in the valet parking lot told me that there were millionaires in the membership club.

All of our names were on the VIP list. From the moment I stepped into the club, it screamed masculinity without trying. This was a place that catered to men, and that was clear. My eyes bounced around to take in the lights. Whoever they hired for the lighting design almost got it right, . . . almost.

It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the low amber glow after we were shown to our VIP section. The detail that was put into the decor of the club was sexy. The brass detailing, deep wood, and dark stone set it apart from any place that I had ever set foot in. I smelled the black leather over the cigars, which told me that their air filtration system was top-notch.

Milan Renee and Sasha had already sat down and gotten comfortable, while I stood to observe my surroundings and the lighting. In most of the areas, the lighting was layered well. The stone walls were washed with concealed strips. The bar had an intimate, warm glow from the fixture in the area.

My body turned to take in the lights in the VIP areas. Too dark. I was sure whoever designed it thought that it was a vibe, but it wasn’t. It was just dark. The overall vibe of the establishment was a place that you came to chill. Light chatter was heard around, but not overly loud conversation. It wasn’t a club; it was a cigar lounge. I imagined that million-dollar deals were closed here.

“Why is your face all turned up, Sis?” Milan Renee pulled me from my thoughts and evaluation. She asked about my face, but hers was all contorted.

My head bucked back. “My face is not turned up any kind of way. I’m just doing what I was brought here to do, according to why you claim I was invited.”

“Well, I’ve been your sister all my life. I know the face you make when you think that something is ugly. I know you’re trying to be all professional since this is technically a business meeting, but relax, girl. I ordered you a drink,” she said.

Sasha patted the seat next to her. “Come sit down and relax. You can look at ugly lights later.”

“I never said the lights were ugly, first. I’m just taking it all in,” I told them. My eyes rolled before I moved to take my seat.

Just as I took my seat, the waitress came over with our drinks. I took a sip after she gave it to me and savored it. This was the best tequila sunrise that I’d ever had.

“Well, if whatever isn’t ugly, then what is wrong with it?” Milan Renee asked after she sipped from her cup.

I tilted my head to the side as I glanced around the VIP section. “Too low, . . . the ambient level. You see all the decorative fixtures with lights? Those should not be used as true lighting sources. They should be just for decoration, as they were intended to be.”

“Now can you say all of that in words that me and Milan Renee would understand? When you get into your lighting zone, you forget that people don’t understand what the hell you’re talking about. So what’s wrong now?” Sasha asked with a smirk.

I giggled before I rolled my eyes. How can I say it so they’ll understand? “Okay, if I dropped my lip gloss right now, I would probably never get it back. I would need a damn flashlight and a dream. Y’all know how I feel about my lip gloss.”

We all snickered. I didn’t hate the lights. It was just another case where someone thought that low lights meant ambience and vibe when it meant I might trip. My eyes roamed toward the bar, where I saw the most beautiful sight.