"You coming?"
"Yeah."
We walked through the crowd, me leading the way. I could feel Yatta behind me, his presence solid and calm. When we got to VIP, I pointed Mya toward where Rah was sitting with some of the GMB guys.
"Thank you," she said, then looked at her brother. "You good?"
"Yeah, go ahead. I'll be around." Yatta told her.
She bounced off toward Rah, and it was just me and Yatta standing there. The music was loud, people everywhere, but somehow it felt like we was in our own little bubble.
"How you been?" he asked once again, his voice lower now.
"Good. I’ve been good." I met his eyes. "I never got the chance to really thank you for that night."
"You ain't have to." He said it simple, like it wasn't even a question.
There was a pause, both of us just looking at each other, so much unsaid hanging in the air. I wanted to ask him why he helped me. I wanted to ask if he thought about that night too. I wanted to ask for his number. But before I could say anything, my earpiece crackled.
"Zurie, we got a situation at the back entrance. Some niggas trying to push through without paying."
Fuck.
I sighed, frustrated as hell that this moment was getting cut short.
"I gotta go handle something."
"Handle your business, Ma." Yatta said, still watching me.
"Yeah, let me handle this shit" I started to walk off, then stopped and looked back. "But It's good seeing you again, Yatta."
"You too, Zurie."
I walked away, feeling his eyes on me the whole time, my heart racing faster than it should.
* * *
An hour later, I finally made it to the bar and allowed myself to breathe. The overnight manager, Tristan, had just clocked in and was doing his walkthrough. The club was still packed but shit was running smooth. No fights, no drama, no bullshit. A successful night.
I leaned against the bar and signaled to Macy, one of my best bartenders. "Let me get a shot of Casamigos."
"You got it, boss lady." she poured me a shot and slid it across the bar.
I threw it back, feeling the tequila burn down my throat in the best way. The tension in my shoulders started to ease up just a little.
"Damn, ma. Why you over here drinking alone?”
I looked up to see a light-skinned dude with waves and a nice smile posted up next to me. He was handsome, I'd give him that. He was dressed clean in all black, smelling good, and his confidence was on ten.
"I’m just unwinding after work," I said, giving him a small smile.
"Let me buy you another one. I’m Cassius." He leaned on the bar, getting comfortable.
"I work here Cassius, so that means I drink for free." I smirked.
"Aight, well let me keep you company then. That's free too, right?" He grinned.
I laughed a little. He was smooth, And after the night I'd had, hell, after the last few weeks I'd had, a little harmless flirting wasn't the worst thing in the world.