Page 3 of Cookies and Cream

“Why don’t you swipe on that dating app and meet some potential hotties tonight? You can get some food and some potential dick,” Tasha cackles.

I laugh along with her. My friend is crazy as hell, but she might be right. Lord knows I could use a break when it comes to dating. I’m open and ready for love.

***

“I can’t believe you talked me into coming to this place and then bailed,” I say into my cell as I park my Escalade in one of the few open parking spots at Taters and Beer.

Tasha waited until the last minute to tell me that her boyfriend, Neill, surprised her with a romantic night out. I don’t blame my bestie one little bit for ditching me, but I just wished she would’ve told me sooner.

For all of my big talk at lunch, I’m nervous as hell now that I’m here. I’m a grown woman, and I have plenty of experience with dating, but it’s been years since I felt a real connection with anyone.Not counting my one-night stand with the stranger who rocked my world.

I don’t even know the man’s name, but the memory of everything he did to me is imprinted on my body. I was on an adventure and ready to own my sexuality as a thirty-six-year-old newly single woman. I don’t have to be confined to societal norms. I can have a one-night stand!

“My bad, Laylay. I promise to make it up to you. But remember our talk, go in there and have a great time. Don’t take any shit, and if you don’t feel the connection with the guy, keep it movin’. You don’t owe anybody anything… got it?” Tasha has that no-nonsense tone, and I know not even try to disagree with her when she’s like this.

“Okay, okay. I will go in here and do my best to make a love connection. And if these guys are duds, I will send them on their way because I am woman, hear me roar.”

Tasha chuckles, “You’re such a smart-ass. But I love you anyway. Have fun, be safe… and try to get some cream for that cookie of yours.”

My shocked laughter echoes through the line as I disconnect the call. If nothing else, my best friend is crazy as hell, but I love her.

“Okay, Layla. Have fun. You are living your best life, and you are worthy of being loved,” I say as I flip the visor down and check my make-up. I reapply my lipstick and make a kissing face in the mirror. I take a deep breath and get out. I’m glad I didn’t actually have to swipe to get any of my matches here tonight because, apparently, there’s some sort of mixer going on. I would bet my left tit that Tasha already knew that.

I hop out of my car and adjust my outfit. I wanted to go sexy but casual, so I wore a pair of high-waisted, wide-legged pants with a loose crop top. My entire belly isn’t actually showing but the little bit of skin makes me feel sexy. I have my hair up in a top knot with curly tendrils hanging on each side of my face.

I slick my hair up with my hand, grab my clutch, and close and lock the door. I put my shoulders back and stride into the loud, crowded bar.

Right away, I spot a few cute guys I wouldn’t mind getting to know.Okay, so this might not be as bad as I thought.However, as soon as the thought fluttered across my mind, an unexpected sight blurred my optimism.

“Cookie? What the hell are you doing here?”

Right… he doesn’t know my name. I gave him my club name, Cookie.

“Ummm.”

THREE

FRIEND OF A FRIEND

SIMON

“Cookie? What the hell are you doing here?” My surprise is evident in my voice, and I’m happy to see her atfirst.

I didn’t think I would ever see the woman again. I’d never seen her before in my life until we met in Vegas. I honestly don’t know much about the beauty. I don’t know her last name, where she’s from, what she does… nothing.

And I didn’t get a chance to ask her the morning after our tryst because she vanished without saying goodbye. The crazy thing I was inherroom. Now, normally that would’ve been the ideal situation for me. I’ve had my fair share of one-nighters, and getting rid of them the next day can be a complete hassle. But I wanted to wake up to Cookie. I was looking forward to it.

“Ummm.” Cookie looks everywhere but at me.

Her brows are bunched in the middle, and she’s biting her bottom lip. I can tell that the last person she was expecting to see was me.

“So, you aren’t from Vegas.” I look at her waiting for an answer.

“No. I never said that. I was there celebrating my friend.”

I nod, putting things together. Dontae and Zane celebrated at a Vegas club, but they didn’t rent the place out or anything. There were hundreds of people from everywhere. I just assumed Cookie was from there because she seemed so familiar with the strip.I guess that’s what I get for assuming.

“You know Dontae Michaels? Or were you celebrating someone else?” I question.