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Authors: Tajuana Butler

The Night Before Thirty (9 page)

BOOK: The Night Before Thirty
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Melvin Green cut in. “That's right ladies, it's the Night Before Thirty Relaxation Party Weekend, and you just might find yourself indulging in the beauty of tropical climates while bringing in your thirtieth right! All you have to do is write us one page stating why you deserve to spend your thirtieth birthday lounging in the lap of luxury.”

Catara gulped. Finally, a contest just for her. What were the odds of she and Louisa Montero having the same birthday? Plus, after all the hard work she'd put in at Saks, her ordeal with Rondell, and missing the appointment of a lifetime, she mentally claimed her spot at the spa, the shopping spree, and the cruise. As she trekked her way to her apartment, she imagined what hanging out with Louisa Montero would be like. She couldn't wait until she got home to begin scribbling down why she should be chosen for the weekend getaway.

LECIA ROLLED OVER
and wrapped her arm around William's waist. The San Diego sun was setting over the Pacific Ocean, and the soft, warm breeze blowing from the water onto the terrace of the beachfront suite was turning cool. The two had been lying there in the wide lawn chair for the past few hours and had fallen asleep to the sound of the waves hitting the beach.

Alecia was disappointed—being awake meant that she would again begin counting time. It was their second day alone together, and she didn't want their special weekend to come to an end. She nudged herself closer to him and savored the moment, because William, in that time and space, belonged only to her. She had his undivided attention.

He looked so peaceful sleeping next to her in his swim trunks that she couldn't help but sneak a quick kiss on his cheek. Then she took the back of her hand and stroked his cheek, allowing her hand to brush past his neck, down to his chest. More days of intimate solitude with him would not be enough to quench her desire to belong to him forever.

William awoke with a smile on his face and yawned. “Uumm, this feels good.”

“Me touching you?”

“You, the breeze, the beach. All of it.”

“I know,” she said wistfully. “I could stay like this forever.”

“Me too,” he agreed.

William eased up in the chair so that he could get a better view of his surroundings. Alecia adjusted her position accordingly.

“Breathtaking,” he commented of the red and blue hues that mixed together and surrounded the huge sun as it set, looking as if it were gradually submerging into the ocean.

“Breathtaking,” Alecia sighed.

The two remained silent as they watched the sun gradually sink until it was no more. What had been a fairly active beach earlier in the day had now become deserted and romantic, sexy.

“I love it when it's like this. It feels like we're the only two people on our own deserted island,” William said.

“Uh-huh,” Alecia agreed.

“So do we continue like this, starving, or do we eat?” he asked.

“We starve.”

“We could. But I say we eat.”

“Let's order room service and stay in all night,” she suggested.

“We did that last night. Don't you want to see the city?”

“I've seen the city, several times. We both have.”

“But there's a new spot downtown that I have to go to tonight.”

“Oh, so this is a business trip?” Alecia was disheartened. She had thought the weekend was only about his wanting to do something special for her.

“Not exactly. Well, kind of—John, a client of mine, recently purchased the club. I just have to make an appearance. We can eat on the waterfront, and then we can go to the club.” William squeezed her tight. “You can work me out on the floor, and then we can come back here and you can finish off the job.”

Alecia pouted a bit, but she knew there was no way around it. She had to go.

She lay there a while longer then forced herself up. “I'm taking a shower.” She yawned. “You can join me if you'd like.” She winked at him and posed between the sliding-glass door.

“It's tempting, but if I do that, we'll never get out of here.” William reached over to the table next to the chair, picked up his Palm, and began fidgeting with it.

Alecia hated being ignored, especially by William, and it was tough for her to accept that all the stops had been pulled and there was nothing more she could do except get dressed and join him for a night on the town.

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO
was exhilarating. Once in the midst of the action, she was pleasantly surprised that it was just the change of scenery that she and William needed. There were lots of new buildings, condos, hotels, and restaurants, all nestled in the midst of clean streets and plush green landscaping, only blocks away from scenic views of boats and floating yachts.

The new nightclub was located on Fourth Street, in the heart of downtown. They ate dinner at a quaint little restaurant on the water-front, and afterward, instead of driving their rental to the club, William motioned for a bike-pulled rickshaw. He and Alecia piled in the buggy.

“Fourth Street and D, near Horton Plaza. I'll tell you when to stop,” William said to the driver, who began to pedal down the street. Although he didn't seem strong enough to handle the weight of the two of them, he moved them along at a steady pace. The breeze circulated around them and they sat close, holding hands, taking in the naturally beautiful sights and sounds of the city.

“Some of the men here will have their wives with them. And some of them know …” He paused. He struggled saying her name. “Phyllis. There might be a few awkward moments.”

“What do you mean?” Alecia demanded.

“Well, there might be moments when … well, you know what I'm saying.”

“No, I don't, William.”

“I'm not going to completely ignore you, Alecia. I'm just saying that I might not be able to hold your hand as much as I normally do.”

“I understand.” Alecia felt numb. What could she say? Nothing. She knew her place in their relationship. This, however, would be the first time she would have it shoved in her face.

The two sat in silence the rest of the way. Alecia combated her hurt by focusing on her surroundings. Around her the streets were filled with laid-back patrons walking in and out of restaurants and shops. Although
the downtown was heavily populated, a feeling of relaxation was in the air.

William seemed a bit uneasy.

“I could catch a cab back,” she offered dryly.

“What are you talking about? Sweetheart, I want you with me. Just scratch what I said from the record, and let's have a good time.”

Alecia frowned and pouted, attempting to garner sympathy from him. Anytime she could make William feel guilty, she milked it dry.

“Please, don't be upset, Jewel,” he said, putting his arm around her and kissing her on the cheek. “Don't you worry about anything. You are my princess and I don't care who knows.”

Alecia smiled widely.
I am Alecia Jewel Parker, and men love me. All men love me. And you, William, are no exception,
she thought.

Their driver stopped in front of the club, as directed by William. He hopped off the bike, took Alecia's hand, and gently escorted her out. Then he helped William, who paid him. William then put his hand at the small of Alecia's back and they walked toward the club. He gave their names to the guy at the door, and the two walked right in.

Inside, there was an open, airy feel. The walls were high and the color scheme typical of a nightclub. It was bright, inviting, exciting. The music was upbeat hip-hop, the clientele a mixture of ethnicities and sexual preferences. It was the kind of spot that Alecia thrived in, felt most comfort being in, because of the common link among the majority of the partygoers: most were packing money or power, and she was always up for meeting more people with dinero. It affirmed to her that she was in the right place at the right time. That all was well with her life.

William grabbed her hand. It wasn't as natural as usual, but deliberate. “The VIP room is in the back—let's go.” Alecia followed. When they got to the velvet rope, the owner, John, was talking to another guy in front of the entrance.

“William!” he said cheerfully when he spotted them walking up. “I'd like you to meet my good friend Al.”

William bear-hugged John and shook Al's hand. “Al, Will is my over-priced attorney. Al is a major contractor out here in San Diego,” John said, introducing the two.

“This is the one I've been telling you about, John. This is Alecia.”

“Nice to meet you,” John said. “Absolutely gorgeous.” He took her hand and kissed it.

Alecia smiled, then shook Al's hand.

John said something to William, and then patted Al on the back.

William reached in his pocket, pulled out his platinum card, and placed it in her hand. “Alecia, go inside the VIP room. Order yourself a drink. Start a tab, and I'll be right in.”

Alecia sternly eyed William, not sure if she was being brushed off. He slowly and gently kissed her on the cheek. “Baby, I'll be right in. I know you'll have no problem handling yourself. I'm right behind you.”

Alecia turned away from him and waved at the guy at the rope. He looked up at John, who motioned for him to let her enter, and Alecia walked in.

Few people were inside. Alecia considered it evidence of the elite clientele—because everybody was on the same social level, there was no one to be separated from. She scoped the scene, and no one stood out or caught her eye. It was a cosmopolitan crowd across the line.

She approached the bar and ordered an apple martini. To the right of her was an African who was intensely watching her every move. He seemed desperate to know her, so she made a more concerted effort to ignore him. To the left of her were three women in cocktail dresses wearing clusters of diamonds on their fingers, reflecting years of marriage. They were too mature and would probably be threatened by her, so she didn't even bother speaking to them.

The bartender came back with her drink. “I'll handle that,” the guy standing to her left said in a heavy Nigerian accent.

“It won't be necessary. It's already taken care of,” she said and handed the bartender William's card. “I'd like to start a tab with that. He'll be in shortly.”

“No problem,” the bartender said, and walked away with the card.

“What is your name, pretty lady?”

After checking him out from head to toe, Alecia concluded that although he had some cash, his money was probably not enough. She began going through her limited Nigerian vocabulary, trying to remember if one of her Nigerian beaus had taught her to say “Fuck off ” in their language.

“You are a beautiful American lady. They will love you where I'm from. You remind me of the Ethiopian women in Africa.”

Alecia knew his type and was not in the mood. She knew that if she moved, he would follow, so she weighed her options and decided it was time to make nice with the married women to her left.

She quickly turned toward them and inched closer, searching for an opening line.

“Cute watch. Van Cleef and Arpels?”

“Exactly,” the lady responded, surprised.

“Very nice. I purchased a similar one for my mom for Mother's Day.”

“You have good taste.” The lady smiled. “My husband got this for me 'just because.' ”

She returned the smile.

Alecia's first inclination was to avoid conversing with the women and go back out to where William was, but her curiosity got the better of her.

“This is my first time visiting this club. Have any of you come here before tonight?” She knew it was a corny question, but it was worth the information it would bring.

“The two of us have come here more often than we'd like to admit,” another answered, then took a sip of wine. “My husband recently bought this place. It's like a big playpen for him. But it is Phyllis's first time,” the woman answered, gesturing at the woman with the Van Cleef & Arpels watch. “She's visiting from Los Angeles.”

No way!
Alecia screamed inside.
This can't be. She can't possibly be William's wife.

“By the way, I'm Donna Lake, this is Renee Border, and this is our friend Phyllis Masterson.”

So this is my competition,
Alecia thought. She sized up Phyllis, not able to find any flaws. Obviously well kept, Phyllis was elegantly and tastefully dressed. Alecia would expect nothing less in the woman William married.

BOOK: The Night Before Thirty
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