“I didn’t say she was cute. I didn’t say anything.”
“Saying nothing meant she was cute, and you didn’t want to confirm it.”
I looked back over at Ari, who was now looking at me. I mouthed “Sorry.” And she mouthed back “It’s okay,” her face a bit flush. I smiled. She was cute when embarrassed. I kind of liked it.
“Fuck, I think I ruined her lunch with her girl,” I said woefully. I stared at Ari. She looked over at me and smiled. Dressed in yellow, Ari reminded me of a Starburst. In fact, Ari’s kisses tasted just as sweet and were just as juicy.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could feel Todd looking at me and then back at Ari, a smug look coming over his face.
“Whatever you have to say, Todd, just say it!”
“Holy shit! Did you fuck her? Your…um…coworker,” Todd yelled. A couple of drinks in, he was getting wound up. Even over the seductive thump of Sean Paul’s “I’m Still in Love,” I could hear Todd’s voice. “Damn, dude! You didn’t waste no time getting in the drawers!”
A table of older women looked over at my brother, mortified. I grabbed his arm and led him toward our empty private chef’s table in a back corner of the restaurant.
“Pipe down, Todd!” I put my fingers on my collar, feeling beads of sweat forming despite the air conditioner blasting full tilt. “Nothing happened. Well, not nothing…”
Todd narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean ‘not nothing’？”
Before I could explain, Devin, Dunn’s River head chef, came out to greet us at the table. Dressed in a gray chef coat with a Jamaican flag on it, he and Todd exchanged a bear hug.
“Yo, Devin. This is my brother, Porter. He’s cool, but forgive him, he went to Hampton,” said Todd. I knew it was coming and laughed. Todd and Devin attended Howard, the other HU, unfortunately.
“Oh, so your brother ain’t shit then, huh?” said Devin. “Just kidding. Nice to meet you, man. Todd talks about you all the time.”
I laughed and gave Devin a handshake. “You too! And it’s all good. We all make mistakes. We will see who is talking that smack come football season.”
“I don’t care about none of that,” said Todd, waving his hand. “I just want some oxtails, dude!”
Devin shook his head. “Always greedy, Todd! Be glad I saved the last of them for you. Just give me a minute. As you can see, it is packed. Before you all ask, this on the house, T!”
I smiled and looked at Todd, who was itching to brag about something. “I did the contract for this spot. He owes me one! Alright, time to get drunk.” He flagged down a waitress and ordered two more drinks. When Todd asked what I wanted, I opted to order a ginger ale.
“So, this new hire at work. Ari. Tell me about her?” asked Todd. “I’m glad to see Riddle and Robinson remember that it’s the twenty-first century and hired a woman. I’m shocked she took the job, given what happened to the last woman there. That place is a meat factory!”
I winced, thinking about Greer’s past actions. “Exactly. I’d imagine for a woman, it would be especially tough. But it’s been almost a month. She hasn’t run for the hills yet.”
“Okay. But are you all vibing? Getting along?”
I put my hands behind my head, leaning back against the wall. “We get along great. Her design skills are amazing. Crazy skilled. Smart. She’s so easy to bounce ideas off. Not to mention…” My voice trailed off. An amazing kisser. The softest lips on the planet. Killer curves. Juiciest thighs this side of the Mississippi… “I mean. She’s quirky. A little guarded but opening up to me. At least I think she was.”
“What do you mean you think she was?”
I didn’t respond. Just shrugged and sipped on my ginger ale.
Todd cleared his throat, interrupting my thoughts. “But you like her? As in more than a coworker?”
With a sigh, I confessed. “I kissed her last night.”
Todd’s eye widened. “You kissed her? Damn. So, was it a good kiss?”
“It was alright.” I was lying through my damn teeth.
“So, you had one kiss! What’s the big deal? You two are grown. It doesn’t matter what you do.”
I looked at Todd, confused. “Shouldn’t it matter? I don’t date coworkers and you know that.”
Todd laughed until he damn near choked. “You don’t date coworkers because you’ve never had one fine enough to date! You like her. Admit it! Otherwise, you wouldn’t have stomped your narrow behind across a crowded restaurant, past a slew of fine women drooling at you, to say hello to someone you can see on Monday. You never could lie worth a shit!”