Page 4 of His Secure Embrace
It had been almost two months since we’d all seen each other. I was too focused on my growing business to take time out to go out with them. Part of me blamed them, but it was an irrational thought. They couldn’t control where the bullets went. They allowed their flight or fight instincts to kick in, and I had done the same thing.
My thumbs hovered over the keyboard as I fought to find the right words to reply.
ME:
I miss y’all too.
LYNAE:
Wyd tonight?
ME:
Nothing special. I have some wine chilling and was probably going to kick my feet up and read a book.
TAVA:
How about you dust off those knees and come out with us tonight. It’s Nae’s birthday and we would love it if you joined us at the club to celebrate. You down?
ME:
Which club? Also, aw shit! Happy birthday Nae!
LYNAE:
Only the hottest club in CC. I know the owner, so I get a discount on the section and bottles. I’m trying to go up for my twenty-seventh.
ME:
I can’t miss my girl’s birthday celebration. Send me the details and I’ll make sure I pull up on y’all tonight.
LYNAE:
LETS FUCKIN GOOOOO! THE GIRLS ARE GETTING BACK TOGETHER.
TAVA:
*sent one attachment*
I hearted Lynae’s message before I opened the picture Tava sent of the birthday flyer. I reacted with a thumbs up on the image before I closed the thread and placed the phone back in my pocket.
“Alright, crew. That’s a wrap for today. Let’s make sure the order is placed before you leave, Jari. Mikale, send me the receipt once you’ve dropped off all the packages to the shipping company. I set up the direct deposits earlier, so y’all should start receiving your weekly pay starting on Monday.” I said my final spiel before I grabbed my purse, keys, and insulated water cup. With a final wave, I left the small office space and skipped to my car in the front of the building.
When I entered my vehicle, I exhaled. It had been a while since I’d gone out for fun. Everything was a business opportunity these days, so switching gears may be hard for me to do.
Lord, give me the strength to show up for my girls.
“You can do this. Tonight will be fun.” I hyped myself up as I climbed out of the car. I adjusted the long, black dress that stopped at my ankle. The neckline plunged down past my breasts, but they stayed in place thanks to the boob tape I used to keep them from spilling out.
I applied the shiny clear lip gloss as I sauntered across the parking lot to the front of the club. The bass was so heavy I could hear it from outside the door. The line at the entrance was wrapped around the building, but I refused to wait. I walked up to the front, and the closer I got, the more familiar the security guard became. What were the fucking odds?
“James?” I asked as I closed the distance between us.
He looked me up and down. Those dark brown orbs scanned me completely before they locked with mine. He licked his lips. “Brielle.” The hint of a smile pulled at his lips.
“Hey . . . It’s been a minute. How have you been?” I asked as I rubbed my arm nervously.
“I’ve been good. How have you been?”
