Only Once

                    THIRTEEN

   The closer Trinity Sweet came towards us the faster my heart started to beat. I was nervous and a little apprehensive. I must've looked like a dumb-deer caught in the headlights because Dedra snapped.

   "Elliott, Bae, are you okay?"

  "Huh," I grunted.

  "It looks like you just saw a ghost or something."

   "Nah... baby, I... I... was just thinking about how I was going to..."

    "Going to what?" Quizzed Dedra when my words trailed off.

   The waitress and Trinity Sweet approached the table at the exact same time.

   "Mr. Montgomery." Greeted my secret, simultaneously with Roslyn placing the pasta dishes in front of me and Dedra.

   The waitress asked if we needed anything else. We didn't and she left us to it.

  "Ms. Sweet." I retorted after Roslyn was gone with the calm of a Buddhist Monk. I said,    
   "Bae, this is my boss Ms. Sweet, Umm, Ms. Sweet this is my lady, Dedra Banks."

   Dedra smiled and held out a hand towards Trinity. She said, "It's a pleasure to finally meet the woman who keeps my man away from me for hours on end."

   Trinity Sweet sneered, accepted the outstretched hand and chimed, "Please call me Trinity and the pleasure is definitely all mine."

  I coughed, I mean literally choked on nothing more than Trinty Sweet's words.

  "Elliott." Called Dedra.

   She picked up my glass of red wine and handed it to me. I took it and sipped, then gulped it all down. Dedra looked worried and Trinity was still sneering, getting some type of pleasure out of this exchange.

   "Come on baby, our table is finally ready." A strong males voice chimed.

   I looked up then to see who was the owner of that voice. He was tall and definitely visited the gym more than I, a light brown complexion and could've passed for Micheal Ealy if he owned the same pair of eyes.

   Ignore her companion Trinity Sweet chimed, "It was nice meeting you... Dedra was it?"

   Dedra brow knitted inwardly at the shade and she reluctantly nodded.

  Trinity Sweet continued, "Elliott, I hope that you will still be joining us at the party tonight?"

   "What party?" Snapped Dedra. She added, "El, bae, you didn't tell me about a party."

  "He didn't." Trinity practically sang the words.

   "Umm..." Was all that came out of my mouth.

     "No worries, Elliott." She focused on Dedra then, smirked and said, "Dedra you are invited as well... so Elliott make sure that you bring her."

     Her, she had stated like my baby didn't have a damn name.