“Muttering is a bad sign.” Nile refilled Maya’s coffee cup. “And so is binge-eating.” Without staring, she took in Maya’s appearance. Her bangs were trimmed and the champagne-blond hair-dye was fresh, making her hazel gray eyes pop. Her make-up was layered thick—probably to cover the proof she hadn’t slept well. Maya was playing the game of perfectionism; Nile didn’t think she was winning.
“Sorry, Nile. I didn’t see you.” She didn’t ask how Nile knew she’d been binging. Of course, Tigris told her. Tigris took her order...all three of them—turnover, doughnut, turnover...coffee, coffee, coffee...and now, coffee.
“What time do you expect him?”
“Could be any minute. Thank you for doing this.”
“I’m not doing anything.” Nile slid into the booth across from her and filled the cup she brought over for herself.
“You’re observing. You’ll see what I see, what he’s like before...whatever happens. That’s got to help with the decision-making, right?”
“I’m observing because I won’t be around for the meeting. I don’t make those decisions, Maya. Never have.”
Maya’s face fell. The only people who knew what took place in the meetings were the Bishops and their subjects. The subjects never talked about it. The town knew the outcome when they saw the outcome. Someone got to change houses or jobs. Someone left town and never returned. Someone got sick and died.
To cover the unease, Maya changed the subject. “If things work out and I get a...happily ever after with this guy—”
“Doesn’t he have a name?”
Maya inwardly shook herself. She was a psychology major. Obviously, she was distancing herself. Equally obvious, Nile knew it. “Jacob Spegal...Jake... If Jake and I get the happily ever after we want, I’ll name my first daughter after you. I’ve always loved your name.”
“Don’t do that to your kid.” Nile sipped her coffee. “You could get away with Jordan, but Tigris or Nile...would be hard to pull off. Also, it’s a fast way to draw attention you will not want.”
“You’re right. I didn’t think about it.” Maya shoved a forkful of cherry into her mouth.
“No, you didn’t,” Nile laughed. “Best stick with Beyoncé or Venus, or something a white girl can rock.”
“Beyoncé?” Maya cocked a brow.
“She’s half-white. It could work.”
Maya’s chuckle was cut off. In one, two, three fashion, two Harleys and a Yamaha pulled up to the Bishop Avenue light. Maya’s mouth dropped open. They turned the corner, and she buried her head in her hands. “Mother-fucker. Damn it all to hell.”
Jake, Dylan, and Sonny stopped in front of the bakery.
Chapter Four
“Excuse me.” Maya wiped her mouth and threw down her napkin. She slid out of the booth and stomped to the door.
Tigris was to the table before Nile could get out. “Looks like you don’t get to be a bridesmaid after all.”
“Wasn’t planning on it.” She collected the dishes. Maya was done.
“Did she know?”
“I don’t think so,” Nile said. “You saw how mad she was.”
“Maybe she was mad they showed up at the same time. Should we listen?” Tigris lowered her voice.
“No, I don’t want to. We’ll all hear about it soon enough.” Nile carried the stack to the counter.
JAKE REMOVED HIS HELMET and grinned when he saw Maya in the doorway. “Hey, babe—”
“You imbecile!” She hit him. “You ruined everything!”
“Hey! Wait, wait, wait!” He dismounted his CV Limited and held her arms. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong!” She burst into tears and pulled away. Looking right and left at Dylan and Sonny, she said, “Get out of here! Both of you! Go home!”
“Maya. Honey,” Jake reached for her again. “Take a deep breath. Let’s talk about it.”
She did take a deep breath.
“Honey, look at me.”
She would not.
“I rode for six hours to be with you. Talk to me.”
“If you wanted to be with me, you would have listened! I told you to come alone. But no! Now, it’s too late. You ruined it.”
Dylan and Sonny dismounted but remained silent. This was on Jake.
“Ruined what? You haven’t told me anything.”
“I told you to come alone. You didn’t think I had a reason for that?” Her voice shot up an octave. “You think this is random? That I don’t have reasons for asking you to come here?”
“Maya?”
The foursome turned to identify the speaker.
“Listen, buddy,” Sonny said, “this is a private matter.”
“Shut up!” Maya yelled. She focused on the young man standing beside them. “Jordan. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t know for what yet.” Thin and almost an inch taller than Dylan—who was the tallest of the trio, Jordan eyed the group. He dismissed Sonny with a glance. He studied Dylan longer. They wore their hair in a similar shaved fashion, but instead of a ponytail, like Dylan, Jordan sported a mop of tiny locs. Dylan was heavier, more muscular, but Jordan had a fast, lean look about him. Jordan cut his eyes to Jake, but only for a moment. Dylan was the one he perceived as a threat. “You making any introductions?”
“Oh shit,” Maya fumbled and then caught herself. “I’m so sorry, Jordan. I’m out of control.”
Jake took the moment to seize control. “I’m Jacob Spegal, Maya’s fiancé.” He held out his hand.
“Fiancé,” Jordan shook his hand. “You don’t say.”
“No.” Maya shook her head.
Nobody paid attention.
“This is my brother, Dylan, and our friend, Sonny.”
“Like a brother,” Sonny said.
“Like a brother,” Jordan repeated.
Dylan nodded.
“And you are?” Jake asked.
“Jordan Bishop. Maya and I grew up together. Our parents are old friends.” He held out his arm.
Maya stepped into his embrace. “The oldest,” she said.
To Jake’s side-eye, Dylan shook his head once. Let the guy posture.
Sonny didn’t get the message. “What are you, an old boyfriend?”
Jordan laughed. “She wishes.” To Maya, he said, “No offense.”
“None taken.” Her bubbly voice was false. “It’d be like kissing my brother.”
“Why don’t we go inside and get acquainted?” Jordan released Maya and went to the door.
“They’re leaving,” Maya said. “Dylan and Sonny were keeping Jake company for the ride. But, they aren’t staying.”
Jordan opened the door. They were hit with the scent of coffee, cinnamon, and warm bread. He dropped his smile. “They are now.”
Maya whimpered once, rolled her eyes at Jake, and beckoned for them to follow.
Jordan held the door for Maya and Jake, then cut in front of Sonny. Bringing up the rear, Dylan looked back at his CV Ultra. He weighed the merits of going home—like Maya wanted—against, staying there—like Jake needed. More of him agreed with Maya than he was willing to admit.