The Cartel - Ashley Antoinette Snell [29]
“I know just the place. It’s right up the street,” Breeze responded as they walked out of the store. Breeze had at least five bags in each hand as they walked the distance to the restaurant.
Carter followed her across the street and into an elegant building that was made of marble and glass. He looked up at the sign that read Breezes. He looked at her in confusion.
She smiled. “Poppa bought it for me on my tenth birthday.”
Carter nodded, and they entered the restaurant to have a late lunch. There was a long line of patrons waiting to be served. The establishment was crowded, so they inched through the crowd until they reached the hostess.
“Hello, Ms. Diamond,” the hostess greeted, obviously recognizing Breeze. “Right this way.”
There were groans and complaints from the people who stood waiting, but Breeze and Carter eased right past them and into the lavish environment. The voice of Billie Holiday filled the darkened space, and all eyes seemed to be on Breeze.
As they passed the bar, Carter saw Miamor sitting on a stool with two other women and he winked at her as he passed by. When they arrived at their table, Carter pulled out the chair for his sister and then sat across from her.
Aries’ eyes followed Breeze and Carter to their table. “Miamor, isn’t that de guy from de Casino?”
“Yeah, that’s him.” Miamor’s arched eyebrows frowned at the sight of him. A twinge of jealousy crept through her heart, but she knew that she had no right to be upset. She didn’t even know Carter. Just because she was feeling him a little didn’t mean anything.
“Damn, is that his girl?” Robyn asked.
“Must be,” Miamor replied, her tone a bit more sarcastic than she intended.
“Me know you ain’t green?” Aries teased.
“Hell nah!” Miamor exclaimed. “Jealous for what? I don’t even know the nigga. Yo, for real, it ain’t even that serious. Since when have you ever known me to be that type?”
“Whoever chick is, she’s rocking them Prada shoes.” Robyn nodded her head in approval.
Miamor rolled her eyes and sipped at her drink as she tried not to focus on Carter.
“What are you looking at?” Breeze asked.
“Just a friend,” he replied.
Breeze turned around and stared toward the bar at the three young women that had so much of her brother’s attention.
“You making friends like that already? You’ve only been here a couple weeks.”
“It’s not like that, so get your head out of the gutter.”
Breeze laughed again. It was refreshing to see her smile. It was then that Carter realized that he had never seen his sister’s smile, and it looked good on her. This was the first time that he’d ever seen her happy.
She peeked back at the girls one more time and then whispered, “Which one is she?”
“The one in all black,” he replied as he watched Breeze look back. “Quit staring, Breeze.”
“Shit, she’s staring back,” Breeze shot back. “She must think I’m your girlfriend or something, because her face is all twisted up.” Breeze giggled. After she took a sip of water from her water goblet, she said, “You better go talk to her because she looks mad.”
Carter looked past his sister’s head and saw the look on Miamor’s face. He stood from the table and looked down at Breeze. “I’ll be right back.”
Robyn turned on her bar stool. “Don’t look now, but here come your boy. I think I need to use the bathroom. Come on, Aries.”
“What you mean, come on? Me don’t have to go with you,” Aries stated with a devilish grin. She licked her lips at the sight of the dark man walking toward them.
“Aries!” Miamor whispered.
“Why me have to go with she?”
“Because she doesn’t want you all in her face, bitch. Now, come on.” Robyn laughed and pulled Aries away.
Miamor laughed for the first time since her sister died, and Robyn winked at her as they disappeared around the corner.
Carter slid into the seat next to Miamor. “Why is it that you’re everywhere I seem to be?”
“I don’t know, but if I had known that you and your girlfriend would be here, I would have gone somewhere else,” she replied