Finding Joy

Chapter 9

"Hello." I said answering my phone.

"Where you at?" Erin asked.

"I'm on my way there. I had to go home to change." I told him.

"Alright girl hurry up. My stomach been hungry!" He told me.

"Ya stomach always hungry, but I'm around the corner." I told him.

"Alright, what you want to drink?"
He asked.

"It depends, y'all having cocktails?" I asked.

"Don't you know baby!" He said in response laughing.

"Alright, get me a pear and cranberry Bellini." I said.

"Alright. We sitting outside."he informed me.

"Okay." I said hanging up.

Last night, I stayed up all night. Devin called me, saying he couldn't sleep and I was up finishing a paper so, I decided we could FaceTime while I did so. We laughed and talked a little and he helped me out with my paper, thank god.

I smiled walking over to the table. Today is such a beautiful day, the sun baking on my skin and the wind blowing nicely.

"Good Morning!" I said sitting down at the table.

"Good Morning." Kelsey said back and Erin just looked at me.

"We ordered already. I got you the fish, shrimp and grits." Kelsey said.

"Thank you." I said and sipped my drink.

"Oh this is strong." I said grabbing the glass of water and watering it down a bit.

"So, what happened last night?" I asked.

They went on about them going out to the movies and to dinner last night.

"So how was the party last night!" Erin asked scrunching up his forehead.

"It was cool." I said with a smile on my face and shrugging.

Once we were done with our food, they ordered dessert. Macaroons, and Creme Brûlée.

"Can I have some?" Erin asked

"Yeah. Go ahead." I said.

He had a strawberry ice cream and Kelsey had Strawberry shortcake.

Once the check came I grabbed it putting my credit card inside.

"Alright bitvh, what's going on?" Erin asked.

"What you talking about?" I asked sipping my now sprite.

"First off, you came in here all cheesing and happy as if you got dicked down last night, you smiling and laughing at our stories about our men and what we did last night and then you grabbed the check treating us all to brunch too! Oh bitch spill tea!" He said demandingly.

"First off, we all know I didn't get dicked down ever, and if I did y'all would be the first to know. Second, can I not be happy for y'all? And lastly I always pay the check! It's our routine. Sunday Brunch and Tuesday lunch." I said in a duh tone.

"No hoe. Just happy for us my ass." He grumbled.

I laughed him off a little.

"He's right Lau, you have this glow about you. Yesterday you said we were on your shît list and your paying for our food. What's his name?" Kelsey asked.

"You know what, I can't just offer y'all a free meal? Y'all want to pay. Cool with me." I said taking my credit card out of the receipt holder and putting down two twenty dollar bills.

"No we ain't say that. All we saying is that you look real happy. Plus I know your ass had a deadline last night. Usually you'd be stressed and you're not." Erin pointed out.

I sighed giving up when he started to stare me down like I stole something. "Fine" I muttered. "I met somebody." I said with a smile.

"What bitch! Yass!" Erin said loudly.

"Hush people are looking." I said.

"Whatever. You finally got you somebody." Erin said clapping his hands loudly, disturbing the other restaurant goers.

"What's his name? What he look like and where did y'all meet?" Kelsey shrieked.

"I'm not telling you. Heffas you left me at the party to go with your dates. It's okay though, now y'all won't know nothing about him until I'm ready for y'all to meet him." I said.

"Hoe you evil!" Erin said pouting.

I laughed and looked down at my phone.

Devin 'Dope boy' Thomas: Hello beautiful, how are you? What are you up to today?

Lauren Joy: Hey! I'm out to brunch with my best friends right now. You just now waking up?

Devin 'Dope Boy' Thomas: okay, cool tell besties I said hello. But no, I just got out of church.

Lauren Joy: Oh okay.

Devin 'Dope Boy' Thomas: Yeah, I still want to take you out today or tonight. Can we make that happen?

Lauren Joy: Yes, we can make that happen. What time shall I be ready?

Devin 'Dope Boy' Thomas: 5:00. Don't want to keep you out all night, you have class tomorrow.

Lauren Joy: yes I do! Timing is perfect for me. What should I wear?

Devin 'Dope Boy' Thomas: you should be comfortable and casual. You're already beautiful.

Lauren Joy: Aww okay, great. I can't wait.

"I know your ass didn't just sit and ignore us!" Erin said shocked.

"Yeah I did I'm sorry." I said.

"Who was that?" Kelsey grilled.

"Dang y'all. Let me breathe." I said said

"Just tell us please." Erin whined.

I smiled. He never says please.

"Alright, it's the guy from the mall." I said.

"Oh girl you finally dating two at a time? Yes!" Erin said.

"No, the guy from the mall knows my dad. He was at his party last night." I said with a smile.

"And you said he was a dirty boy. Wait, your daddy ain't represent him right?" Kelsey added.

"Yes girly I'm sure." I said.

"So, what's happening?" She asked.

"Well we went out yesterday along with my brothers. Today, it'll just be him and I. I'm a little excited about this." I admitted.

"Girl you gotta go then! Get yourself together. Matter of a fact we going with you. How he want you to dress?" Erin asked.

"He said causal." I said

"So this what we gon do. We gonna play up on your curves. You have thick thighs and they have nave shape, so shorts, you got a lot of breasts so a shirt that's gonna show them off. Or we can have you in a romper. That would be really cute. Romper. What you think Kelsey?" Erin asked. This is so his element. He loves fashion. Not only is he fashionable but he can match what you should wear according to your body type.

"I agree, come on let's get out of here!" Kelsey said.

I smiled and allowed them to take me to the mall.

A/N

Y'all always do so well with the comments! Thanks for that... What do y'all think Devin has planned for himself and Lauren?

If I don't get the chance to update again before today is over, I'll update tomorrow morning and then again in the evening!