Chapter 20

“Wassup baby girl!” Hopping into Jessica’s car, I leaned over and gave her a hug, laughing at her overly enthusiastic greeting and the huge smile plastered on her face.

“Hey girl, you doing good?” I asked her, pulling on my seat belt as she started up the car backing out.

“You already know I’m goooood. Got a bottle of Hennesy in the backseat girl! We are going to have a blast!” She ended the sentence with a scream, prompting me to burst out in laughter at her foolishness.

“Yoh, I’m mad happy for Kerry ahh!” I said, connecting my phone to the aux cord and playing Ball For Me by Post Malone ft. Nicki Minaj, waiting to rap along to the best part of the song.

*A few minutes later*

Pulling up to the restaurant, we walked in with the Henny in hand, letting the hostess know which party we were with and walking to the back with her to the outside patio.

“Yooooo,” Jessica and I screamed as we walked out, drawing the attention of everyone that was already there.

“My babes!” Jessica squealed as she tried to walk as fast as she could in her 11-inch heels with her arms open wide. “I’m super happy you guys are here damn!” She whispered harshly to us. “The people on his side are so boujee I can feel all the judgment seeping through their pores with each second that passes.”

“You already know we’ve got you, girl. Let’s go take a shot and loosen you up a little bit.” Jessica whispered as we both pulled her away and took her to a table inside, asking for two shot glasses since I didn’t drink.

After the girls took two shots each, we linked hands and walked back to the outdoor patio, going to be introduced to the new man in our girl’s lives.

“Hey baby, come meet the two most important women in my life,” Kerry called out as a 6’2 man walked up to us with a warm smile on his face.

“Hey ladies, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Caleb. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He said as he shook Jessica’s hand before moving on to shake my hand.

“Nice to meet you too,” I said with a smile back.

“So what are your intentions with our girl? We can’t just release her to any man you know. Plus we don’t really know you like that.” Jessica said with no emotion showing on her face.

“I have nothing but good intentions for her and our future. I never really believed in soulmates until I met her.” He said as he pulled her close to him by her waist, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“Babes you know we are happy for you but this doesn’t seem a little too rushed? I mean you only started talking about him 6 months ago.” Jessica mentioned and I nodded my head in approval of her question as well.

“I actually started talking to him 4 months before I told you guys about him. I wanted to make sure he was more so the one before I brought him and slowly introduced him to you two.” She said, seeming slightly nervous as she looked back and forth between Jess and me.

“Well, you know we only want what’s best for you and we are always going to look out for you. Plus if you know you’ve found the one then you don’t need to wait years. We are beyond happy for you!” I let her know as I rubbed her arm assuringly, feeling her confidence fully come back as she stood taller and placed a smile on her face.

“But boy if you hurt her there is nowhere you’ll run that we won’t be able to find you.” Jess started with her threats which I already anticipated would come with a slight push from the alcohol she had in her system.

“So what do you do?” I asked him curious to know more about him.

“I’m a general surgeon,” He answered back still keeping the same smile on his face. I know he must be tired lol.

“Honey, please come over here with K,” We were interrupted by a woman beckoning him over with the same warm smile on her face.

“Ohh let’s go babe. Hopefully, I’ll get time to talk more with you ladies,” He said as he pulled Kerry along.

“Got get something to eat at the buffet inside ladies, it’s all you can eat,” Kerry’s voice faded as she walked alongside the man of her dreams.

“Girl let’s go, I’m starving!” Jessica pulled me behind her to the buffet display of various foods.

“Amaya, hey girl.”

Hearing a familiar voice call my name, I turned around seeing someone I wasn’t too keen on talking to for the next couple of weeks. In walked Shari and her fiancee, Justine and Jeremiah and another man I never met.

Placing a fake smile on my face, I briefly said hi to all of them, my eyes lingering on Jeremiah before I quickly looked down.

“It’s been too long!” Shari squealed as she pulled me into a quick hug, shooking me and not giving me enough time to hug her back, making things awkward.

“Yeah, well this is my best friend Jess,” I said, introducing her to everyone and watching as she and the man next to Jeremiah exchanged long glances with smiles on their faces.

“We’re here for the engagement party. Are you serving us or?” Feeling my body go stiff I felt my self-esteem go down as Shari looked into my soul.

“Nah, our best friend is the bride and the party is outside,” Jessica said with an eye-roll, looking sharply at Shari before turning around and forcing me as well and picking up her plate and handing me mine.

“Hmm, it’s not far-fetched that you would think she is a server. Look at how cheap and basic she looks,” I heard Justine’s voice, feeling myself grow smaller.

“I know right, with those two-dollar shoes and five-dollar dress,” Shari added.

“I hope this isn’t the nonsense you are going to be on tonight because I will have someone pick you up and take you home in a split second.” I heard Jeremiah’s voice fade as they walked away from us, allowing me to release a breath I didn’t know I was holding in.

“I cannot believe you considered that girl your best friend. Not to worry anymore. You have Kay and me now. Jess said as she picked up her plate and a glass of champagne.

“I have no idea what I have been thinking this whole time.” I let her know as we walked out to one of the tables and sat down, digging into the food that tasted so good.

*20 minutes later*

We had finished eating and were currently listening to speeches being made by Caleb’s side of the family and one thing they made sure we knew is how much money they had. I also found out that he was brothers with Marcel, Jeremiah’s best friend and that’s the reason they showed up.

Feeling eyes on me, I looked up straight at Jeremiah who was on the other end of the porch directly across from me. He was looking at me intently and as shy as I felt, something was not allowing me to pull my eyes away from his. A few minutes later, his head was pulled by Justine and she deeply kissed me, making me look away uncomfortably.

With the party coming to an end, I patiently waited by Jess and Marcel as they exchanged numbers and promised to meet up within the week. Feeling a presence standing close to me, I turned to my right and looked up at Jeremiah once again.

“Hey.”

“I really don’t need the trouble or drama that comes with you talking to me,” I spoke softly, looking out for Justine.

“Look, I’m sorry about all that. She has a disgusting attitude and you don’t deserve anything she has said about you.” He apologized on her behalf, remorse evident in his voice.

“You don’t need to apologize really, it’s fine,” I said softly as I heard Jess laugh loudly, scared that she would draw attention to us and more importantly Justine’s.

“Umm, can we talk maybe tomorrow? Here is my card. Call me at midday and don’t forget.” He said before walking away and pulling a tipsy Marcell with him.

Feeling confused, I watched him walk away before grabbing Jess, walking over to Kay and saying our goodbyes, and walking out to her car. Getting her in, I walked over to the driver’s side and drove us to her place knowing I have a pair of work clothes and everything I needed for the next day.