King Of Queens

Chapter One

"Yummm, this looks great!" I proclaimed as I eyed the steaming dish placed before me by the server. Kai and I had decided on a dinner date to finish off the grueling week at the firm. Thank God it was Friday.

"Sooo...," she started, dragging out the "o" while giving me an inquisitive look, "What's been up with you love?....any new men in your life?" She talked as if we hadn't spoken in ages. Leave it to her to jump straight to the gossip.

"No." I smirked and began to cut into my well done steak. I quickly glanced up at her and noticed the pointed look on her face, which told me loud and clear she wasn't feeding into any of my bullshit tonight. What I said was mostly true. After all, I don't exactly do the whole dating thing. Men irked me to say the least  and seemed only good for one thing...but that's something I'll explain later.  

"What about you Kai...no boy of the week?"  She shot me what was supposed to be a menacing glare, but her chewing kind of threw it off. I tried my best to hide the slight upturning of the corner of my mouth while I waited for her to speak.

"One. He is not "boy of the week"," she stated while giving air quotations, " Two. His name is Aiden and Three. Have you seen him? That man is fine as hell" she said with a proud flip of her long curly tresses. Although unbelieving, I nodded my head in agreement and continued to nibble at my steak. We both knew he would be old news by next week but that's just the way little Miss Kai Campbell did things.

The night went on filled with laughter and trivial conversation. We discussed men, our careers, the latest fashion trends and other feminine nothings over smooth cosmos and lime martinis. As I glanced at the gold Rolex adorning my wrist, it was clear our girl's night out was coming to an end. I couldn't help but notice the waiter's lingering glances at my full breasts, his sultry smile when he handed me my check, and the almost imperceptible wink he shot my way earlier whilst giving the night's specials . If I didn't know any better I would think he wanted to sleep with me but conveniently, I did.  To be blunt, he was probably gay. Like all men he assumably thought charming me with his unconventionally good looks and gorgeous smile would earn him a burlier tip. He's in for a rude awakening. I glanced at the cost of our meal and calculated the tip in my head.

"3-0.0-0" I wrote, making sure to create swirls in my zeros. Just 60 cents over the standard 15% tip. I handed the server our check as Kai and I gathered our things. After retrieving my black card, we made our way to the exit. The luxurious ambiance of Delmonico's was soon traded for the breezy New York night.

"Do you need a ride?" I asked Kai, as I handed the valet my ticket.

"No, I think I'll just take the M train back to my hotel." She said, confident in her words. I chuckled at her ignorance and shook my head.

"It's the C train to get to your hotel. Jesus Christ, you tourists know nothing of taking the subway. Hun, don't worry about it , I'll just give you a ride."

"Cari I'm in the complete opposite direction of your condo."

"K.C., I don't care."

"Carter." She said flatly, giving me a look.

"Kai" I replied, returning the same look. We stood there in a staring match until the valet finally pulled up with my car. I turned away from her, retrieving my keys and tipping the valet.

"Get in!" I shouted to her as I made my way around the car. I could barely hear her inaudible grumblings as she scrambled into my G-wagon. I opened the door to get in only to remember I left my jacket in the restaurant  

"Hey, start the car. I'll be RIGHT back" I said whilst tossing a stunned Kai my keys. I walked back into the restaurant, grateful to see the Maître dwaiting with my cashmere cardigan. I gave him a quick thanks before exiting the restaurant once more. I chuckled silently to myself seeing Kai lip-synching and dancing to 2 On by Tinashe in the passenger seat. As I headed to the driver's side, I was blindsided as another person bumped into me, spilling lukewarm coffee onto my $2300 Yves Saint Laurent leather bag. I angrily turned to the stranger, a slew of curse words about to emit from my mouth. In front of me stood a tall, devilishly handsome, dark-skinned specimen decked out in a well-tailored designer suit. I took a quick glance at his feet and noticed the Italian leather dress shoes that looked stark in contrast against the concrete of the sidewalk. He held a black leather briefcase in one hand and a half empty Starbucks cup in the other. Who even drinks coffee this late at night? My eyes flicked to the silver Rolex on his wrist as his strong hands grasped the cup. I looked back at his face to realize he was finishing off a strew of apologies. He dressed well and smelled good, but I wasn't impressed. Due to my lack of response he opened his mouth to apologize some more.

"As I said, I'm extremely sorry. Is there any way I could make it up to you?" He said, giving me an apologetic grin.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, give me your phone number." I watched as his grin turned into a quite attractive smirk.

"Sure thing" he told me, reaching into his suit pocket to retrieve a business card. After giving it a quick once over, I deposited the card into my coffee stained bag.

"Great," I said, flashing him a bright smile, "I'll be sure to get in contact with you in regards to replacing my bag. Have a good night." I couldn't help but smirk as the smirk dropped from his face. With a flip of my hair, I turned and continued my path to my car.

 

"Wait!" He shouted, causing me to turn once more. "I never got your name."

"Carter. Carter Bradley"

"Well, it was a pleasure making your acquaintance Miss Bradley. I hope we get to meet again." He said, giving me a sheepish smile.

I just gave him a curt nod before heading to my car. As if. Most women would fall for that charm but I learned the game from a young age and realized men were pretty worthless. After dropping Kai off  at her hotel I glanced once more at my coffee stained bag in the passenger seat. Hmm... a new bag is definitely due. I smirked to myself as I blasted the radio and pulled off.