Deceit

7 - Intoxication

Yamaris:

A couple of days had passed since my devious interaction with Harlem and honestly, I was okay with it. While the awkwardness of his ex calling while we shared a moment was off-putting, I fully understood our situation. There was simply no way around it. His sex was amazing and the more we spoke that night, the more I actually began to like him as a person. It was hard for me to open up about my college days, even more-so knowing that I kept it a secret from Logan, but Harlem was...different.

I didn't want him to get the wrong idea about us so I had been avoiding him at all costs. There was no need in establishing any deeper connections with one another when we'd be going back to our lives in eight days. He would watch me whenever we were in the same room but never tried anything when we were alone. My privacy was important to me and for once, he appeared to get that.

Tonight was Friday and Logan had every intention of us getting lit. First, we'd eat at this new steakhouse just outside of downtown and then meet up with Bunny at one of our favorite clubs. She too was ready to see the gang and was giggly at the thought of meeting up with Rich again. His vibe was always chill and he was extremely helpful around the house too: changing light bulbs, checking my air filter for me, all around a stand up dude.

Bunny deserved someone as good as him, but personally, I didn't know how it would last with her line of work. Hell, I was afraid of getting into my own relationship because of it. Men didn't really understand the concept of dating for pay, let alone how addicting the money could get. I ignored the advances of almost every man I came into contact with because it was just too complicated.

Still, I was going to put my brain to rest and relax for the sake of a good time. Work had stressed me out all week and this was going to be a major relief. We all met downstairs after getting dressed and decided to take Logan's rental truck since all of us would fit. I was wearing a clingy white jersey dress with black knee-high boots. Biyanca opted to coordinate with my scheme and wore a white crop top, high-waist blue jeans, and some black flats. Although her belly was beginning to become pronounced, she still looked like she had just been eating good.

The guys were more traditional in their outfits, with t-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. As handsome as they all were, I wished they'd put a little more effort into their wardrobes. I mean, Biyanca and I were two baddies standing out while they pretty much blended with one another. Harlem looked good in everything he wore. Hell, he looked good without wearing anything.

Once we got to the restaurant and seated, our eyes immediately went straight for the appetizers.

"Ooh they have shrimp bites!" Biyanca exclaimed as she salivated over the menu.

"I was checking those out too," Rich agreed. "But they also have jalapeño poppers. I'm a sucker for spicy food."

"I think the jalapeños might be a little too much, I've only been able to keep down seafood. I know what I'm getting." Bee set her menu down and looked over at Logan's to help him decide.

"Everything looks so good, I want it all." Julio was too happy about food all of the time. Understandably because well, food is life.