Only for You

17: Loyalty

Fatima walked briskly down the sidewalk, her heels clicking against the Manhattan pavement. The weight of her argument with her mother lingered, replaying in her mind. It felt like every time she tried to take a step toward independence, Fiona was there, blocking the path with guilt, bringing up old arguments and subtle jabs. She sighed, they used to be so close—inseparable, really—but things had shifted over the years, ever since her college days. Her mother had never fully forgiven her for those "wild" years, as she called them, and that shadow still hung over their relationship.

Reaching the edge of the street, she raised her hand. "Taxi!" she called, stepping to the curb just as a cab pulled up.

She climbed into the back seat, settling into the worn leather as she let out a steadying breath. The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Where to?" he asked.

"Lexington Bar, please," she replied, her voice firmer than she felt.

The driver nodded and merged back into traffic. As the lights of Manhattan blurred by, Fatima leaned back and closed her eyes, letting the city's nighttime hum wash over her. A few martinis were exactly what she needed.

The cab rolled to a stop outside the bar, and Fatima paid the driver before stepping out, she looked up at the dimly lit sign overhead. She ran her hands down the sides of her jeans—distressed with bold, jagged cutouts that revealed the dark denim underneath, giving her an edgy yet chic look that caught a few eyes as she walked past. Paired with her asymmetrical black top and strappy heels, she looked effortlessly striking.

As she entered the bar, she approached the counter, catching the attention of the bartender almost immediately. "Hi, gorgeous, what can I get you?" the bartender asked, leaning on the counter with a friendly smile.

"An espresso martini, please," Fatima replied, settling onto a barstool and turning to face the rest of the room. Her eyes casually scanned the crowd until a man seated in the corner caught her attention. She offered him a polite, fleeting smile before shifting her focus back to the bar.

Just as she was getting comfortable, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out to see a message from Brandy—a picture of Zac wrapped up with another girl. Fatima's jaw tightened as she zoomed in on the image, trying to make out the girl's face, but her face was out of the frame. Still, the way he had his arms around her set off an instant spark of jealousy.

What is this? Brandy's message read.

Fatima groaned, locking her phone and slamming it down on the bar just as the bartender returned with her drink. "Thank you. Can I get another one, please?" she asked, barely tasting the first martini as she downed it quickly, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Why am I even this mad?" she muttered to herself, tapping her fingernails against the glass. "He's not my man. He can do as he pleases."

The bartender, overhearing her, gave her a sympathetic look. "Rough day?"

"You have no idea," Fatima sighed, glancing down as her phone lit up again. Zac ❤️, the caller ID read. She rolled her eyes, immediately pressing the lock button to silence it.

"Why did I even put a heart next to his name?" she muttered under her breath.

The bartender raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Let me guess—caught him cheating?"

Fatima looked up, caught off guard by the question but saying nothing, her silence answering for her. The bartender gave her a knowing nod and set another martini in front of her.

Fatima finished her espresso martini and set the glass down with a sigh. She gestured to the bartender. "May I get your menu?"

The bartender nodded, reaching under the counter to hand her a sleek, leather-bound menu. Fatima flipped through it quickly, her eyes scanning the options. "Get me two Long Island Coconut Bliss martinis," she ordered, leaning back in her seat as she handed the menu back.