Be Careful What You Pray For by Nicole S. Rouse

Author:Nicole S. Rouse
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Urban Books
Published: 2011-04-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Light snow flurries fell from the sky as Maya walked down the street leading to a popular nightclub in the Mount Airy section of the city. Per Lloyd’s instructions, Maya stopped by the storefront window and waited for him to come get her. To keep them from going numb in her suede pumps, Maya moved her feet from side to side and shoved her hands inside her pockets. She’d called Lloyd less than two minutes ago to let him know she was outside, and if he didn’t come out of the club soon, she was sure to get frostbite. Staring up into the night sky, Maya let a few soft flakes drift onto her face, and oddly it had a calming effect on her spirit.

Tired of waiting, Maya joined the fast-moving line at the club entrance. At this point, she didn’t care about the cost of the ticket. She just wanted to get inside the warm building.

“You have a ticket?” the burly bouncer asked when it was Maya’s turn in line. With arms the size of melons, he looked like a weight-lifting champion.

Maya took a twenty-dollar bill from her purse. “How much—”

“I have the beautiful lady’s ticket,” Lloyd yelled from across the room. He strolled to the door in his Fedora and alligator shoes and stood by the bouncer, grinning from ear to ear. “Here you go, young man,” he said and handed him a folded ticket.

The bouncer stamped the ticket then looked at Maya with a slight smirk. “I need to see some ID.”

Maya was surprised. She hadn’t been carded in at least three years, and as she searched through her purse Lloyd grabbed her waist, making it obvious to everyone she was with him. Maya gave the bouncer her license and he studied every detail carefully before giving it back.

“I feel like the luckiest man in the club tonight,” Lloyd said as he escorted Maya to the coat check. “How was your drive in?”

Maya didn’t feel as lucky as Lloyd, but tried to relax. “The roads were slick, but I managed,” she replied, and followed him down a narrow hall. Along the way, she glimpsed at a banner hanging across the wall that read: Happy 50th Birthday, Alvin! and prayed she wouldn’t be the only person under forty in attendance.

“Next time, I’m coming to get you. I was raised to pick up the woman I’m taking on a date.”

“We live in opposite ends of the city. It’s only fair that I meet you halfway.”

“I know you can take care of yourself. But sometimes, it’s okay to let a man take care of you. You don’t have to do everything on your own.”

Maya realized that she may have come off brash, and lightened her tone. “Sorry, some habits are hard to break.”

Lloyd helped Maya take off her coat, and when he saw her strapless dress, his eyes lit up. “You look nice.”

“Thank you,” she said coyly and turned away from him.

While Lloyd stepped away to check her coat, Maya admired the architecture of the building.

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