After a few more minutes, we came to a stop at a restaurant that looked really exclusive, like something out of a magazine. It was tall and chic-looking.
“Don’t touch that door, beautiful,” he commanded. I hadn’t even noticed I shifted my body toward the door as he stopped and parked. Hyper independence was a motherfucker sometimes.
“I won’t.” I smiled and held my hands together so he knew I was serious. In a few seconds, he was at my door, opening it.
“Okay then, gentleman. I see you.”
“Is that your way of saying thank you?” He laughed.
“It is.”
“Where are you from again? I hear the accent, but I’m not all the way sure, and I don’t wanna guess wrong.”
“Smart man. I’m from Memphis.”
“I should have known by the way you drag your words. Come on.” He grabbed my hand and guided me down from the truck.
I walked a couple of steps ahead of him as if I knew where I was going. It felt good to be out amongst the nightlife of South Beach. His hand softly caressed the small of my back as we walked to the door. He opened the door for me, and I stepped into a dimly lit restaurant that was buzzing with people at the bar and smelled of fresh seafood and steak cooked to perfection. I was starving and could not wait to see what they offered. Dre stepped up to the host stand and whispered something in the young man’s ear.
“I’ll be right back, sir.”
“Thanks.” He nodded. “You good, love?” He looked over at me.
“I am. This place is really nice.”
“It is. An old friend of mine from way back owns it. I called him up earlier in the day and told him what I needed.”
“Needed? You jumped through hoops for little ole me?”
“I jumped through hoops for big ole you.” He swiped his thumb across my chin and tilted my head up to him. “Nothin’ about you is little, you hear me?”
I blinked slowly and nodded, taking what he’d just said in.
“OG Dre, my man, what’s good?” A loud and deep voice interrupted the moment. He must have been the friend he mentioned before.
“Mike, what’s good, bruh? Thank you again for doing this for me tonight.”
“It’s all love, man. You and this gorgeous queen, follow me.” He led us through the restaurant toward the ladies’ and men’s rooms, and it looked like we were headed into a coat closet, but it was a private elevator. I was quiet, observing our surroundings and the short journey we were on to get upstairs.
Mike and Dre chatted for the few short moments we were in the elevator. As soon as it stopped, Dre’s focus was back on me. Our eyes met, and we shared a silent moment between us.
“Aight, man. Here we are.” His friend opened his arms wide and smiled. “The entire rooftop is all yours for the evening. The full menu and bar are available, and Jazz and Rel will get you whatever you need tonight,” Mike explained. His eyes looked toward the two servers behind the bar as they waved and smiled at us.
“Love, bruh. I appreciate it.”
“You two enjoy your night.”
“We will,” I politely interjected with a smile.
Dre grabbed my hand and led me to a table that was adorned with another beautiful bouquet of roses and a bottle of Ace on icein a bucket right next to it. My Spidey senses told me this nigga had it going on.
“You went all out.”
“You weren’t expecting this?”
“To be honest, I don’t know what to expect when it comes to dating anymore.”
“That tells me all I need to know. Sit down.” He pulled the chair out for me and didn’t move until I was seated all the way. It almost felt too good to be true. It was the way he just threw the commands in like it was nothing that gave me chills.
