Page 108 of The Sweetest Devotion

I held my hand up, stopping his soliloquy. “Please, spare me the story of your little pissing contest with my father overmyfuture and life.”

Cain let it go as he put the last tray into his fridge. He glanced at the time and then the TV in the next room before coming back to me. “Crazy Rich Asians, right?”

No. “How aboutScarface? It’s your favorite, isn’t it?”

Cain came around the island and met up with me. “It’s ultra-violent.”

Even better. I wasn’t interested in watching romance with him of all people. “That’s okay, if it’s your favorite, we can watch it.”

Cain thought about it for a moment, and then he held his hand out for me to take. As much as I wanted to turn and run, I didn’t. There was no escaping this man and the fate set out before me. So I placed my hand in his and went with him over to his sofa. The material was soft and cozy, inviting sleep almost instantly. I barely made it ten minutes into the movie before my eyes fell shut and I drifted away.

20

The Cigar Roomwas located in downtown Bedford Heights. It was an exclusive men’s only lounge on Sundays, akin to its sister bar The Lipstick Hub who hosted ladies’ night on Fridays.

Sunday night I gathered around a black lacquer round table as I sat comfortably in a leather armchair talking amongst my boys I’d known since we was kids.

The room was dim as groups of men hung around other tables and booths. Some sat up at the bar, shooting the shit with the bartender or texting on their phones. In private rooms, other groups could be found holding exclusive poker games.

TVs hung up on nearly every wall in the large main space of The Cigar Room. Some were playing football highlights, and others were playing recaps of the latest NBA game.

I pulled my attention from the grueling defeat of the night’s Lakers versus Pelicans match and shook my head.

The Lakers were letting me down this season.

At my table, Makai and Savon were engrossed in whatever Gavin had been saying. Makai was shaking his head and Savon was doing his best not to humor Gav—which let me know Gavin was on one.

“Look, all I’m saying is, if you’re going to suck my dick in the morning, brush your teeth first,” Gavin declared.

I managed a snort as the others let loose and laughed a little.

“Bruh, be happy any woman wants to go near that thing,” Makai joked.

Gavin held his arms out, scrunching up his face. “So, I’m a bad guy because I want fresh breath on my shit? Nah, y’all just nasty.”

Makai flipped Gavin the bird and Gav shrugged it off before taking a pull from his cigar.

Nights at The Cigar Room used to be a casual thing for our group. One person paid for the cigars and another person paid for the drinks and food. We rotated each trip to the lounge.

Tonight, Makai was sponsoring our cigars while I copped the drinks, D’Ussé for the guys and a beer for me.

At one point, our group had been bigger, with the added body of our friend DreSean. He’d gotten married and had a baby girl, and could only break free once in a blue moon. Whenever he could get out of the house, DreSean chose to do so with his wife fordate night. Didn’t blame him, he seemed content. I was happy for D.

Men’s only night or not, that didn’t mean the female staff of The Cigar Room didn’t get to work. Our waitress came over and checked on our table as she issued out a round of smiles at all of us. When her gaze landed on me and lingered, I took the time to appraise her silently. Big beautiful natural coils, smooth butter pecan skin, and a cute smile as she gave me all of her attention.

“Can I get you anything?” she asked the table, but her eyes were on me.

Gavin picked up his Brandy snifter and swirled around its contents. “Nah, I’m good over here.”

Makai waved her off as well. “I gotta work in the a.m., can’t have too much fun.”

“Heard you,” Savon agreed as he raised his remaining D’Ussé in a toast.

On her perky cleavage, our waitress’s name badge could be found.Trish.

I tipped my head toward her, letting her know I was good as well.

“Well, if you need anything, just give me a holler,” she said before she walked away.

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