“I can’t.” Ever finally spoke as she pushed it back in my direction.
“I insist,” I told her, pushing it back toward her.
“Really. I can’t.”
I witnessed the sadness in her eyes as she looked from the case to me and then back again. The shift in her mood made me cringe inwardly, but I didn’t falter.
“Let me ask you something,” I started, sitting up straight and fixing my posture.
“Um hm?” She gave me permission to continue.
“Why can’t you?”
“When you’re accustomed to being controlled by material possessions and monetary donations, you tend to stray away from them,” she explained.
Nodding, I noted her underlying message. Her ex was a pussy. I’d summed it up quite quickly and easily.
“You’re a grown ass, free ass woman, Ever. The only person here that will ever try to control you is you. I’m not that nigga, whoever the bitch may be. Laike ain’t that nigga, either. Anything that comes from us comes from here.” I pointed at my chest.
Reaching forward, I pulled the case closer to me, but was halted by long, trembling fingers. My chest tightened at the realization that her trauma ran deeper than my eyes could see.From the outside looking in, she appeared to be unblemished. But as I looked into her glossy rounds, I knew it wasn’t her case.
“Thank you,” she pushed out as she slid the case toward her again.
Lyric had already popped hers open and was forcing Laike to wrap the two bracelets around her wrist. They complemented her AP so well. A bigger chain was all she needed to complete her set.
“Oh, wow.” Ever examined the two bracelets in her box. They were nearly identical to Lyric’s.
I waited for her to ask for my help, but she managed to get them on her wrist alone. I watched in awe, feeling a sense of relief as her smile concealed the silent tears that baby girl was crying. For the first time, she’d been gifted from the heart, a milestone that I felt like any and everybody should experience from the opposite sex.
“Take the watch off,” I instructed.
“Huh?”
“The watch you’re wearing. Take it off. It’s depreciating the value of your ice. Trash it,” I suggested.
“Let me see,” Lyric interrupted, demanding she see the new ice that was on Ever’s wrist.
The two pieces immediately amplified her entire appearance. She was easily the baddest in the room already. Now, she looked like she belonged with the steppers that she had come with. That was my goal.
“Didn’t think love would come so easily so soon but here we are,” Ever joked with Lyric as she held her arm out.
“How can I help you?” the waitress finally appeared and asked.
“A bottle of Hennessy and a tube of cranberry juice. Get us a round of shots, too. Hennessy.”
“Coming right up,” she responded before disappearing again.
Small talk began around the table, mostly involving Laike and Lyric as Ever and I played the background because we were too invested in the frequent gawking in one another’s direction. Every so often, we’d lend a few choice words or include our honest opinions. I witnessed the sadness disappear from her eyes with each second that she spent in my line of vision. Admittedly, it was a beautiful sight. I wanted her comfortable. I wanted her open. I wanted her.
Our drinks were brought to the table shortly after they’d been ordered. With a shot of Hennessy in front of us all, we looked to each other to see who’d set it off. Laike took the initiative.
“To my motherfucking nigga. My right hand. My crutch. My brother from the same fucking Momma and Pops. Welcome home, nigga. Shit ain’t been the same without you out here. Happy to have you back.”
“Welcome home,” Lyric chanted.
“Nice meeting you,” Ever concluded, shrugging as her eyes left mine.
We all lifted our clear glasses in the air before hitting them against each other and then the table. Laike and I finished off ours first. Lyric was next. After Ever revealed her glass when she sat it back on the table, everyone burst into laughter.
