“Cat ain’t got me wanting to do nothing, don’t play with me, Yoshi.”

“I see you eyeballing her.”

“I was not!” Billy faked offense. “I can’t front, she can damn sure work that stage.”

“Billy, your rainbow flag is showing.” Yoshi snickered.

“Every time I see you two you’re talking about somebody.” Marcus walked up on them. He was wearing a white button-up shirt and gray slacks.

“Why don’t you make some noise when you walk?” Yoshi punched him in the arm.

“Hello, Billy.” Marcus turned to her. His warm smile made her blush a little, which tickled him. “You look nice.”

“You, too. Nice shirt.” She gently touched his collar and stroked the material. “Italian?”

“French,” he corrected her. “You ready to go, or did you wanna stay for the next act.”

“Let’s not end the date before it begins,” Billy teased him. “I’ll see you later.” She hugged Yoshi. Taking Marcus’s extended arm, she allowed him to lead her to the exit.

Yoshi leaned against the bar and watched her best friend be escorted out of the strip club with one of the finest men she had ever had the pleasure of meeting. She was happy that her friend had found someone who would hopefully know how to treat her. Seeing them together made her think of Jah.

They hadn’t spoken since the night of their lovemaking, but she knew they would have to confront the issue eventually. She never saw herself falling for Jah, but she couldn’t deny the butterflies he gave her. She just hoped that if she ever came to a point where she could lay her heart in someone’s hands that they would be his.

Marcus led the way as he and Billy navigated the growing crowd inside Shooter’s. It seemed like they couldn’t move three feet without someone stopping Marcus. The DJ even shouted him over the PA system. They really show love to the bartenders at Shooter’s, Billy thought.

When they had almost made it to the door, Marcus was sidetracked by one of the girls who absolutely had to speak to him. Feeling a twinge of jealousy, Billy kept waking. Coming out of the exit, she literally bumped into five men coming in. She recognized two members of Bad Blood, but couldn’t call them by name. She tried to sidestep them, but the ugliest of the group blocked her path.

“What’s good, ma, you leaving off work already?” Pain asked, glaring at Billy’s breasts.

“Please, I don’t work here. Excuse yourself,” she said, pushing past him.

“Hold on, yo.” Pain grabbed her by the arm. “Why don’t you come inside and keep a nigga company for the night?”

“Because she’ll be otherwise occupied,” Marcus said, grabbing Pain’s wrist. The two men exchanged challenging glares, which resulted in Pain letting go of Billy’s wrist.