Page 19 of Daring to Love You
While they waited at the hostess stand to be seated, she glanced across the crowded restaurant. Hopefully, they’d get a table near the windows so she could check out the city views.
“Did you make a reservation?” Cree asked Essence as they all took a few steps back to make room for a small group of people who were getting ready to be seated.
“I did, but we’re actually a little early,” she said. “Let’s sit on that settee over there or at least move farther away from the hostess stand.”
They did as she suggested, choosing to remain standing instead of grabbing a seat.
“Essence, I’m loving your jumpsuit. Is it new?” Dorian asked.
Her sister didn’t dress up often, but since she’d been losing a little weight, Dorian had noticed the subtle changes to her wardrobe.
“Thanks, Sis. Yes, I went shopping last weekend, and this was one of my purchases,” Essence said as she adjusted the thin belt on the outfit.
The beige jumpsuit with a green and tan geometric pattern had short-sleeve batwings and wide pant legs that complemented her full-figure. It was bolder than what she normally wore, which was mostly scrubs since she was a nurse.
“I’m guessing our dear sister has a man because she’s been dolled up the last few times I’ve seen her,” Cree said with a slight smile and a knowing look.
“Nope. I dress for me and no one else.” Essence might’ve denied their sister’s claim, but the way she blushed and looked away made Dorian think a new man was in the picture.
“Essence?” the hostess called out, and they all stepped forward. The tall, rail-thin woman dressed in a stylish black and white dress offered them a smile. “You can follow me.”
She took them through the maze of tables, and Dorian realized the restaurant was larger than she originally thought. Clearly, she and her sisters weren’t the only ones deciding to squeeze in brunch today. Almost every table and booth weretaken, and tons of servers hustled about taking orders and delivering food.
“Is this okay?” the hostess asked when she stopped at a table next to the wall of windows.
“It’s perfect,” the sisters said in unison, then laughed.
As they took their seats, Dorian’s gaze wandered to the spectacular view outside the huge windows. Though there were a lot of tall condominiums, apartments, and office buildings surrounding the hotel, the view was stunning. It was probably even more breathtaking at night. She could even see a little of Lake Michigan between the buildings.
“How’d you hear about this restaurant?” Raven asked Essence.
“One of the doctors at the hospital had a catered event here in the hotel, and the food was so good. Between that, the ambiance, and the incredible views, I came back again one day for lunch. Like the first time, the experience was great, and now I eat here at least once or twice a month.”
“Well, so far this was a good choice. I’ll have to bring your brother here one day,” Raven said as she opened her menu. “If the food is as good as you say, we’ll add it to the rotation.”
Since they had several family members, including Dorian, willing to babysit the twins whenever they needed a break, Raven and Zion were able to get in a weekly date night.
The server came to the table, introduced himself, then took their drink orders.
“How are my niece and nephew doing?” Cree asked Raven. “I haven’t seen them in a few weeks.”
“Girrrl,they are growing so fast,” she said of the five-month-old babies. “They are giggling, reaching for things to put in their mouth, and they’re more active in playing with toys. Yesterday, while Andrew was on his play mat, we caught him on his stomach, rocking forward trying to reach a toy that was out ofhis reach. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts crawling in another month or two.”
“Wow, I know they’re almost six months old, but isn’t that kind of soon?” Nyla asked.
“Babies develop at their own pace, and some do start crawling at six or seven months,” Essence offered.
She worked in the pediatric ward at the hospital and was wonderful with children. It had been hard for her as a teen mom, but now her son Tray, who had just turned eighteen, was headed to college in the fall. Dorian was curious to see how her sister would handle being an empty nester, especially since she’d been dubbed a helicopter mom.
When their drinks arrived at the table, and the server asked if they were ready to place their orders, only Nyla was ready. The rest of them still hadn’t decided on what to eat and requested a few more minutes.
“I’ll be back. I’m going to run to the restroom,” Nyla said. “If the server comes to the table before I return, order me the skillet dish with thick bacon on the side.”
After she left, conversation started up again, but this time they all perused the extensive menu while chatting. There were so many interesting items to choose from that Dorian was tempted to order more than one entree. She eventually settled on the stuffed poblano peppers and a side of pistachio carrots.
“You didn’t say anything about your date from the other night,” Cree said to her, and Dorian almost groaned.
The only person who knew details about the date, and how mad she was at her mother for the matchmaking, was Raven. Nyla used to be Dorian’s main confidant since they were so close in age, but she was so busy with marriage and running her jazz club, they didn’t talk as much. Dorian found herself chatting more with Raven.
