Page 115 of Jaeda
“I have some red heels that would pair perfectly with this,” Shar said. “You have to know that I love you because I haven’t even worn them yet. We all packed bags so we can get dressed at your house when we leave here. Are y’all down for a little pregaming before dinner?”
My brows furrowed. “You and pregaming are never a good thing because we always end up drunk as hell.”
She laughed. “I promise I will act right this time. Now, after dinner is a different story. We are going to take full advantage of not having these kids.”
“They haven’t bothered y’all yet?” I asked.
They all shook their heads no.
Salima smirked. “We might have threatened them. We take care of these kids, day in and day out. When they are out on missions, guess who has the children? Us. Well, that’s if their grandfather or grandmothers don’t come snatch them up. They can hold down the fort for a day. Trust me, they will be rewarded tonight.”
I shook my head because men were such simple creatures. It was crazy that years ago, sex didn’t impress my brothers. Where one female wouldn’t do it, another one would. They weren’t pressed about commitment or never even thought about getting married.
Smoke even said he couldn’t see himself sliding in the same pussy every day for the rest of his life. Now they were completely obsessed with their wives and what was between their legs. It was funny how the times changed.
After takinga full two hours to get ready, the girls and I hopped into Shar’s car and headed back into town. I had to admit we were looking fine as hell. I was never one to like attention, but I knew we would turn some heads.
When we pulled up to Imperial Bistro, the place looked like it was closed. The shades were down, and there wasn’t the typical line to get in.
“Are you sure this place is open?” I asked, looking around as we got out.
“Yes,” Mia answered without giving much context to anything else.
Shar gave the valet her keys and walked up to the front door. She gave a light tap, and a few seconds later, the door cracked open. I watched as she whispered loudly to whoever was on the other side. There was this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach that something was going on. I wasn’t sure what it was, but I knew it was something.
She turned to us with a smile. “Come on.”
The door opened wider, and we headed inside. The entrance was dimly lit with candles and blocked off by a long row of curtains.
“What’s going on?” I asked, stopping.
“Girl, bring your ass,” Mia said, grabbing my hand.
She pulled me forward until we got to the end. While the rest of them went through the curtain, I was told to stay back. Impatiently, I waited. My nerves were on ten, and I didn’t know what the hell to expect. Hearing the curtain open, I looked up to see my father standing there in a suit, looking dapper as hell.
“Daddy? What are you doing here?”
He smiled. “Something I was dreading for a long time until now.”
“What-what do you mean?”
He stepped forward and cupped my face. “I love you, baby girl. As bad as I want you to stay my sweet, innocent Jaeda, I respect that you are a woman, and you don’t need me as much anymore.”
“Daddy, I will always need you. Who else is gonna take me on daddy-daughter dates and let me spend their money with no complaints?”
He chuckled. “That part will never change. You can be forty, and I’ll still run up a check on you, baby. I’ll always be your protector, but I have to turn over the reins for this part.”
“You’re confusing me. This whole thing is confusing me right now.”
He offered me his arm. “Let me make it a little clearer. Come on.”
As soon as I looped my arm through his, he clapped his hands, and the curtains opened. My eyes widened as we stepped into a completely transformed space decorated completely in red and white. Roses were everywhere. The tables were beautifully decorated with glass tablescapes.
I gasped as I realized my entire family was here, all dressed to the nines. Quaid’s parents, Titan, and a few other people I assumed were his family were also here, all smiling. My father walked me to a red carpet and kissed my cheek.
“Go get your man.”
The crowd parted, and there stood Quaid looking so damn sexy in a perfectly tailored suit. He smiled as his eyes undressed me. Where the fuck had he come from? He was supposed to be out of town, but I guess that was a coverup for this . . . this wonderful, beautiful gesture. Nervously, I stepped onto the red carpet. Shar, Mia, Romi, Salima, Renay, Kalia, Kaylynn, Darlynn, Korri, Juri, and Deja lined the walkway, handing me a single rose as I passed them.
