Page 60 of Curvy Girl Summer

“She doesn’t want to go down there to meet men, because she’s waiting for me,” Leon explained humorously as they walked away.

“Don’t mind him,” Ahmad told me with a shake of his head. “That man plays too damn much. And—oh, this is my shit!”

The song that started was one of my favorites, too. We started crooning together as we appreciated the show that was being put on. We talked about the soul in their voices, the advanced choreography, and the energy in their performance. We were so caught up in the music and each other, I didn’t even notice when the guys rolled up.

“Struck out?” Ahmad questioned, causing me to turn and look behind me.

“First of all,” Darius started, poking Ahmad in the chest. “Yes.”

I snickered behind my hand before turning back to the stage. I vaguely listened to their story for about thirty seconds before the group hit a high note that stole my attention.

I was transfixed.

“If you’re celebrating something, I need you to go to the middle of the dance floor in five minutes,” Jade, the primary singer of the group, called out about forty-five minutes into their set.

“Oh, they are going to do ‘Round of Applause,’ I think,” I guessed excitedly, grabbing Ahmad’s arm.

“I’m going down,” Leon announced. “Y’all coming?”

I kind of wanted to, just in case they were going to get invited to meet the group afterward. But my gut told me it wasn’t worth it. We had the best spot in the house.

“No, I’m going to stay here,” I decided. “Have fun, though!”

“I’ll go,” Darius offered.

Ahmad shook his head. “Nah, I’m good.”

The group started harmonizing, and I did a body roll as soon as the beat dropped. “We’ll be cheering y’all on from here,” I called behind them before turning my attention back to the stage.

I sang along, moving my body to the beat. Feeling eyes on me, I glanced over at Ahmad.

I narrowed my eyes. “What?”

“You’re hitting all the notes but the ones you’re supposed to hit,” he joked.

“That’s rich coming from someone who sounds like he’s got a mouth full of marbles,” I replied.

We laughed.

“Outside of my girls and my sister, I don’t think I’ve laughed this much with anybody in my life,” I told him, moving close since the music was loud. “Thanks for tonight.”

When he leaned over so his forearms could rest on the guardrail, we were essentially the same height. We were eye level when he said, “You don’t have to thank me. I invited you because I wanted you to be here, and I’m glad you came. I hope you got what you needed.”

“A night out like this. A laugh with a friend. My dating profile being approved by your panel of friends. The best seat in the house.” I sighed contentedly. “I got exactly what I needed tonight.”

The harmonies of Terra-Cotta sounded like background music as his eyes dipped down to my lips. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“And I appreciate what you said earlier.”

His eyes flicked back up to meet mine. “I meant it.”

The beat from their most popular party song dropped.

“For the people celebrating in the middle of the dance floor, are you ready?” Storm, one of the other members of Terra-Cotta, yelled out enthusiastically.

The crowd roared.

The third member of the group, Nubia, stepped forward with a huge grin. “Since they are ready, I need all of you out there to put your hands together and give them a round of applauseeeeeeeeeee!”

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