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“I can’t let you leave the house like that without me.”

“Oh, really?”

He wraps his arms around my waist as I raise a defiant brow at him.

“Can’t have anybody looking at my woman.”

I pull away, guilt racking my body. “Can’t stop people from looking, Christopher,” I tell him.

“Get out, Chris, before I tell Mom. You’re not going to ruin our night.”

“Fine, fine.” He kisses my neck and then strokes my hair. “Have fun, and call me if you need anything.”

“We won’t,” Chrissy says.

“Whatever, sis. Take care of my girl.”

“Boy, ‘bye! She’s my bitch tonight. You’ll be lucky if you get her back once she’s had a taste of me.”

“Gross.”

Chrissy sticks her tongue out at him and I burst out laughing.

“Come on, Ray.”

I grab my leather jacket and we head downstairs. Chris drops us off at Chiquita’s in his dad’s car, kissing my cheek before I get out.

“Call me when y’all are ready.”

“‘Kay.”

We walk in to the sound of nineties hip-hop – Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up,” the clean version. Better yet, let me say, theeditedversion. Chrissy is bouncing like she’s ready to hit the dance floor. A few guys whistle as we walk by and Chrissy wiggles her fingers at them. We’re shown to a table and immediately start people watching as we look through the menu.

“There are some hot guys here,” Chrissy says, eyeing a group of men in a corner.

“I thought tonight was about us girls?”

“Hey, you have two. I’m just playing catch-up.”

“Whatever.”

“Raven, I know you like him and all, but…”

“But what?”

“Don’t you think he’s a little old for you?” she asks, quickly getting serious on me.

“His age doesn’t matter to me. Besides, you know what they say – a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows every corner.”

I wink at her and she throws her head back, laughing.

“So, he’ll be sweeping your corners?”

“Chrissy, I wish I could explain to you how I feel when he touches me.”

“Fireworks?”

“Frickin’ Fourth of JulyandNew Year’s rolled into one.”