Page 2 of Three of Hearts

“Don’t I know it.” I smiled lovingly at my husband.

Q smiled back as the three women took advantage of the empty seats across from us. Two of them had stood in Jahquel J’s line with me. We’d spent the whole time discussing which of the men from the Delgato Inferno Caselli universe was the most suitable to be a husband versus which one just put it down the best. Quincy had heard my perspective on this topic one too many times, so he had tuned us out. He was probably extremely grateful I had people to discuss it with—mutuals who actually cared and could compare and contrast with me.

The third woman sitting with them was a new face. A gorgeous one, but she only looked up from her phone long enough to give us both a half smile. Whatever, or whoever, was on her phone clearly had her mind elsewhere.

“I’m so sorry. I’m terrible with names. Remind me again.”

“Raina,” the one who called Q a good man said.

“Gina,” the other one replied.

Everyone waited for the third woman’s name, but she hadn’t been tuned into the conversation enough to catch her cue. After a moment of silence, she looked up and realized all eyes were on her.

“I’m sorry. Nikki. I’m Nikki.”

Her voice was quite possibly the sexiest voice I’d ever heard. Smooth and sultry, it matched her eyes that were now locked onto mine. I almost wanted to ask if she did narration or modeling.

“I’m Denise, but please call me Niecy. This is my husband, Quincy.”

“Ladies.” He nodded, acknowledging them collectively.

“So how does everyone know each other?” I asked.

“Best friends since middle school,” Gina said proudly.

“Aww, cute! I wish I had a group of girlfriends. It seems fun. It’s just been me and my sister.”

“Well, come join us tonight! I know a bunch of people from the event are going to Blue Flame later.”

“Oh, I can’t…” I began, looking over at Quincy.

“You should go.” He cut me off.

“Really?”

I asked, trying not to sound too surprised. My husband didn’t have me on a leash or anything, but we rarely hung out with people. We both preferred each other’s company over anyone we knew, and we definitely didn’t separate while traveling. But for some reason, I did feel like going out tonight. These women seemed like they would be a really good time.

“Yeah, I brought my laptop so I could catch up on some work. Go have fun, baby.” He encouraged me.

“We’re not leaving for another couple of hours. We were heading back to our hotel to change and grab something to eat first,” Raina said.

“Perfect. I’d need to do the same. Where are you staying?” I asked.

“Just across the street at the Glenn Hotel.”

“Oh, us too!” I replied excitedly. It felt like it was meant to be.

We all made the short trek back to our hotel together, coordinating a time to meet back in the lobby. When we steppedonto the elevator, Q pushed the button for the third floor before asking everyone what floor they were on.

“Top floor for Gina and me,” Raina replied.

“I’m actually on three as well,” Nikki said.

“Nik doesn’t do heights,” Gina chimed in.

“Neither does Niecy. How funny.” Q smiled.

“I’m a big fan of gravity. I like my feet on the ground,” Nikki said.