Page 180 of Curvy Girl Summer

“I’m going to get a drink and let you ladies talk,” Ahmad announced. He turned to me. “What can I get you?”

“The signature drink,” I answered. “Malibu sunrise.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Malibu sunrise, huh?”

“I like what I like.”

“Good choice.”

He turned to my friends. “What can I get you?”

“I’m good, but thank you,” Jazz said.

“Your brother’s phone number,” Nina joked.

“I only have a sister,” he chuckled. “But I can get you a drink instead.”

She sighed loudly and dramatically. “I guess I’ll take the signature drink.”

“Aight, I’ll be right back.” He took a step away from me and then came back and planted a tender kiss against my lips. “Happy birthday.”

Ahmad had only gotten a few feet before my girls started talking at once.

“You weren’t kidding when you said he was fine,” Jazmyn commented.

“And did you see the way he was looking at her?” Nina chimed in. “Ahmad is in love!”

“And Aaliyah’s in love, too,” Jazz pointed out.

“Yes! She was smiling so hard I could see the sockets where her wisdom teeth used to be.”

I snickered. “I can’t stand y’all.”

“He is a smooth talker, though.” Jazz tapped her chin and then looked over toward the makeshift bar on the dock. “Are we sure he’s cool? He was saying all the right things, so I’m wondering if he practiced beforehand or if he’s just that good.”

“He’s just that good,” I answered. “He’s not like other dudes.”

“Any dude that tells you he’s not like other dudes is the team captain of the other dudes,” Nina quipped.

We all laughed.

“Nah, he’s good,” Jazz relented. “I like him. And I like the way you two look at each other. I like how he showed up today.”

Nina smiled. “I knew he was going to be the one you ended up with. I saw it at the concert. There’s so much chemistry between you two. I don’t think he’s the team captain. He’s got the look, but I think he’s legit.”

“He is legit,” I assured them with an uncontrollable grin. “Now before he gets back, what’s up with your dates? I want to get to know them.”

“It’s not a date,” they both argued in unison.

I pursed my lips and gave them both looks. “Mm-hmm.”

They gave me brief, largely downplayed stories about the men they brought to the party before Ahmad returned with our drinks. We were joined by Nina’s date first and then Jazmyn’s date. Then as a group, we went to the dance floor.

The music thumped loudly, but not at the level that would damage eardrums. The songs were hits, and the DJ managed to put together a mix that kept the dance floor packed. Conversationsfloated through the air from the people in the yard, under the tent, and lakeside. And at midnight, we all stood in awe as the fireworks went off.

It was a good night.

When the party ended, I said goodbye to almost everyone. My cousins Mecca and the man she brought with her, Tamara and her wife, and Jonelle and her husband stayed in the three downstairs bedrooms. My best friends were in the upstairs bedrooms with their dates. And once I’d said good night to everyone, Ahmad took me upstairs to my room and had his way with me.

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