Page 12 of Continuum

“I just can’t get over the fact that you’re here. You had just crossed my mind a couple hours ago and… here you are.” He shook his head. “It’s been a long time.”

“Sixteen years,” I acknowledged, holding his gaze. “And congratulations on your account.”

“Thank you,” they replied simultaneously.

Eli slid the celebratory drinks in front of us and we each picked up a glass. “Here’s to making money.”

“To making money,” we said in unison before clanking our glasses together.

After a gulp that burned my throat the entire way down, I looked between the two men. “How long have you two worked together?” I wondered.

“I’ve been with the firm for seven years,” Kwame answered.

I tilted my head a bit as I saw a look flash in his eyes. Before I could ask a follow up question, Eli chimed in.

“I don’t know what I would do without him!” He tossed back the rest of his whiskey. “I wouldn’t have gotten this account without him, that’s for sure.” Lifting his hand, he signaled to the bartender. “One more please!”

Holding Kwame’s gaze, I said, “I’ve never doubted Kwame would go on to do great things.”

“Speaking of doing great things,” Eli started loudly. “You two ever hookup?”

“No,” Kwame answered sharply, glaring at him. “The fuck is wrong with you?”

“We’re just friends,” I added, hoping the sting I felt wasn’t evident.

Eli lifted his hands in surrender. “I didn’t mean any harm,” he chuckled lightly. “I was just checking the temperature on what’s going on here because when I was coming back from checking my voicemails, I arranged for a little fun for tonight.”

The confusion seemed etched into Kwame’s face. “What?”

Turning a little so his back was to me, he continued. “Those two hot girls that were leaving out when we were coming in are right over there. They must’ve come back in and they’re alone. We need to strike while the iron is hot.”

Kwame’s brows furrowed. “I don’t know who or what you’re talking about, but I’m good.”

“K, the ones I pointed out with the tits when we were coming in. The hot ones! You’re going to pass that up?”

“Yeah, I am. So, I’m going to catch up with Aisha.”

Eli looked back at me and lowered his voice. “Kwame, dude, seriously? Are you really going to leave me hanging? I thought you were going to be my wingman tonight.”

“You are capable of making bad decisions all on your own. You don’t need me for that.” He finished his whiskey and put the glass on the bar. “I’m catching up with Aisha.”

Eli stepped back, allowing me to be part of the conversation again. He looked between us, pointing. “You sure you two aren’t fucking? Because how are you going to pass up a chance with those two models to catch up with a former tutor friend”—he glanced at me— “no offense, Aisha.”

I quirked an eyebrow and finished the strong liquor in my glass. Eli was walking on thin ice with me as he continued to beg.

“Come on, K… I need you. There’s two of them and there’s two of us. Remember Atlanta?”

“Atlanta is exactly why I’d rather spend time with Aisha than get mixed up with whatever bullshit you’re about to get into,” Kwame responded with a short, dry laugh.

“The only thing I’m trying to get into is her—” He abruptly stopped talking as if he was remembering that I could hear him. He chuckled. “I’m trying to get into aconversationwith one of them and you know her friend is going to cockblock if I don’t have a friend for her.”

“I said no.” Shifting his focus to me, Kwame asked, “You want to head somewhere quiet where we can catch up?”

“Yeah, I’d like that,” I murmured.

“Okay, fine,” Eli huffed, rubbing his hands together. “You two go off and talk about old memories and be boring with your tomato sandwiches. I’m about to work my magic and create some new memories and get wild.”

I shook my head, but I remained silent.

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