Page 167 of Curvy Girl Summer

“Go take care of what you need to take care of,” he told me with a smile. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Before I had a chance to respond, he winked at me and turned to walk away.

I didn’t have a chance to really process the exchange, but his confidence was sexy.

Nina and Jazz grabbed me, and together, we walked into the kitchen.

“Who was that?” Nina scream-whispered, clutching my arm.

“I thought you didn’t have a date,” Jazz chimed in. “But it looks like you do.”

“That was Marcus,” I told them quietly.

“If this is the caliber of man your mom is trying to put you on with, let her know I’m single, too,” Nina commented.

“Oh God,” Jazz groaned with an eye roll. “Keep it in your pants, Nina. Let Aaliyah have something. It’s her birthday, for God’s sake!”

We all laughed.

After tasting the signature drink and confirming it was perfect, I headed to the bathroom on the other side of the kitchen with my two best friends.

“Okay, tell me about your dates,” I demanded as soon as we closed the door behind us.

We did a quick update about Nina’s date that she described asa friend with benefits. We did an even briefer update about Jazz’s “friend.” But from the few minutes I spent with them, I knew they both were in denial. There was more brewing between them.

I eyed them and pursed my lips. “You two were giving me such a hard time last night, and yet, here the two of you are… in love.”

“What?” they screeched in unison as I walked out of the bathroom laughing.

“Love?! You have some nerve,” Nina snapped, putting her hands on her hips. “You done lost your whole mind!”

“Your judgment is clearly clouded,” Jazz assessed. She gestured to my hair. “I think that blowout blew out your common sense.”

“It’s my birthday,” I told them, flipping my hair over my shoulder dramatically. “You have to let me have my predictions.”

They shook their heads.

“Your birthday is over in six hours. We will be circling back to this blasphemy,” Nina grumbled. “Love? Nonsense.”

“Exactly. Just becauseyouwant love doesn’t mean that’s what I want,” Jazz muttered just before we entered the dining room area.

Everyone was already seated and talking among themselves as the server finished filling the glasses. I’d had them remove the chairs that would’ve been occupied by my grandma, my uncle, and my date so there were no empty spaces. I got to the head of the table, and Nina sat to the right of me and Jazz sat to the left. I remained standing and grabbed my glass.

“Hi, everyone,” I greeted the table to a round of cheers. “Thank you all for being here. You all look amazing. The men look dapper, and the women look gorgeous. I appreciate you getting all dolled up and coming to spend my thirtieth birthday with me. It truly means a lot to have you here. Tonight is a celebration of me. But more than that, tonight is a celebration of life.” I made eye contact with my parents and exhaled. “Moving into this new decade of life, I am celebrating the fact that I am me. I am exactly who I am supposed to be. And I am so thankful to have you here celebrating that fact, too.” I lifted my glass. “So, if you’ll join me in blessing the food…”

That was my mom’s cue.

She stood up and blessed the meal we were about to be served, and then the servers brought out the first course.

The hors d’oeuvres set the bar high, and then the appetizer raised the stakes. The salad was good, but it was the dressing that made it delicious. The chicken served with the main course was the juiciest and tenderest I’d had in a long time. By the time our plates were cleared, I wasn’t sure if I was going to have room for dessert. But the lemon tart looked too good to pass up. The only reason I didn’t finish it was because my dress was tight, and I didn’t want to overstuff myself.

As seven thirty approached, the plates were starting to be cleared and photos were being taken. It felt like I’d said goodbye to my mom and dad, and then fifteen minutes later, everyone except for me was outside of the lake house getting the party started. The fire in the pit had been lit, the DJ had started playing music, and the well-fed guests were ready to burn off some calories. All the ingredients for the perfect night were there, and I was so excited to change into my sexy dress and enjoy myself.

So what if I don’t have a date? I don’t need one to have a good time. It’s my thirtieth birthday!

“I’m coming. I’m coming. I’m coming. I’m just going to get changed, and then I’ll be right out,” I explained to Jazz when she came to check on me. “I’m just telling Chef Mason how incredible her food was.”

“Hands down one of the best meals I’ve ever had,” Jazz gushed. “I’m going to have to hire you for something, anything!”

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