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I felt my smile slipping, my mind trying to make sense of the words. Had he just called her “baby?” The music must be too loud.
And then his eyes were back on me, still no smile, almost no recognition.
“Hey! You’re… umm…” he pretended to think. “Ebony! Ebony from my chemistry class. It’s good to see you, shorty. Hope you enjoying the party,” he said, finally smiling.
Not the sweet little smile I was used to. No, this was his big, fake, politician grin. I had teased him about it before. I never thought it’d be aimed at me.
Everything inside me crumbled, and tears filled my eyes.
“This clown,” I heard Pip hiss loudly behind me. Her peaceful nature had its limits. “I knew it! I’m finna?—"
“No, we’re not,” Emory said suddenly, linking her arm through mine. She gave a little tinkling laugh. “Hi, Tate! My sister was just going to ask you for Drew’s number for me, but I’ll get it later,” she said before turning and pulling me with her.
Emory was quick on her feet—Drew was Tate’s brother. Somehow, I managed to hold it together for the next few minutes Emory insisted we stay to save face. I kept quiet on the ride home and on the climb up to my apartment. I made it through my shower and skincare routine, into my nightshirt, and beneath my covers before the tears and then the sobs started. Theory and Epiphany sat quietly at my desk as Emory climbed into bed with me and pulled me into her arms.
“C’mon, baby girl, I hate it when you cry,” she whispered through her own sympathetic tears.
“I’m so stupid,” I cried.
“No, you’re not. He is.”
“I gave myself to him, Em. I told him I loved him.”
“And his grimy ass didn’t deserve any of it. Fuck him, Ev. At least you know now, baby.”
I let her comfort me, listened to her soft reassurances and affirmations until the tears stopped and I promised her I was okay. By then, my phone was buzzing nonstop. Emory stood up and grabbed it and suddenly it was silent. She took it in the bathroom as she showered.
My sister was right about one thing.
At least I know now.
But my stupid ass had always known, ever since all those inboxes and various messengers in high school from guys who claimed to want me, but somehow, never managed to show it publicly. Yeah, Tate had taken me out, but it was never on campus. I’d been to his house a few times… at night. I’d never even met his roommate. The realizations came to me then, making me feel worse.
At least I know now.
I lay on my bed and let my heart break quietly. I made myself commit every bit of the overbearing pain and grief to memory. This was what I got for not listening to Epiphany’s doubts. Our whole lives, she’d never been wrong.
At least I know now.
And this time, I wouldn’t forget.I never wanted to experience this kind of heartbreak again. Before my eyes drifted closed from sheer exhaustion, I vowed that no man would ever make me feel this low again.
(The Present)
“Enjoy your meal, madam,” the valet said to me, his smile flirtatious.
I smiled back, a practiced curve of my perfectly painted lips, as I flipped a lock of my 30-inch, jet-black buss down over my shoulder.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
I switched away from him on the stiletto heels of my Mary Jane Manolos, knowing that his hungry eyes followed me all the way to the doors of Rarity, a popular bar and restaurant where I was meeting a couple of friends for an hour before their husbands joined them. I checked my phone to ensure I’d gotten the text from the valet service and noticed that Kelsey had shot me a message letting me know she and Taleah were at the bar. Taleah and I were both nurses and had met on a job. We clicked, and she introduced me to her cousin and best friend, Kelsey. I ended up loving them both, trusting them enough to let my guard—and hair—down in this city that was still new to me in some ways. Opening my favorite Mini Celine bag, I dropped my phone inside and readied to reach for the door. Before I could, a masculine hand beat me to it, and I looked over my shoulder into a handsome, tawny brown face.
“Let me get that for you, gorgeous,” the man said, two others hovering behind him.
“Of course,” I agreed, looking up at him before letting my silk-lashed lids slowly sweep over my eyes.
It wasn’t quite batting my eyelashes, but I was subtly flirting just because I felt like it. His gaze traveled over me, and I could see the admiration for my thick curves covered by the seafoam green, silk wrap dress, a Mahogany Fashion original. At twenty-five years old, I had grown up and into a curvy size eighteen. I embraced my body, even when others didn’t. And this evening, I knew I looked particularly lovely. He opened the door, and I strolled into Rarity's bright, welcoming atmosphere. A square bar sat in the center, and I instantly spotted Kelsey and Taleah. Kelsey’s exuberant ass waved me over.
“Have fun,” Mr. Door Opener said.