...with a splash of Kay, page 16
Embarrassing! I know I hadn’t dated Noah in a while, but woah! Fortunately, he just grinned widely, knowing Sisi’s comment was out of line. He looked adorable, and I remembered how he’d always used his light-hearted charm to slip out of the sticky situations he put himself in.
“Just do me a favor. Show Noah around real quick? It’s been a while since he was here, and you know where all the restorations and repairs are,” Sisi said.
“Yeah, sure. Let’s go, Noah.” I waved at him to follow me. I took him through the lounge and the kitchen and showed him the remodeled main floor. Over those fifteen minutes, we held the affable tension I recalled from when we went out together.
“All right, the last thing is the roof. Let’s take the back stairs,” I said.
“Oh, I remember the roof, all right.” I assumed he was referring to one night last summer when the bar died down early. I was working alone when Noah came by. We had the roof to ourselves for a couple of hours and, after a few drinks, had sex overlooking the city. Slow, passionate, and hot.
I shook my head to rid myself of the memory and kept the tour moving. I walked up the narrow stairwell, my butt quickly meeting Noah’s eyes as he followed me. In our silence, I heard the floorboards creak in a way I’d never noticed before. I felt more and more exposed with each step, knowing Noah was staring at my ass.
“So, that’s it!” I said, gesturing my arm toward the roof, relieved when we reached the top. “I assume you don’t have any questions.”
“Well, actually, I do. But not about Lola’s.” He looked at me like, You know what I mean.
“Hm, what about?” I played dumb.
“Kay!” Sisi yelled from downstairs.
“Ah!” I shrieked, placing my hand over my heart. Noah laughed at how easily it startled me. Alarmed, we ran down the stairs.
“Are you done yet?” Sisi asked when we got back.
“Just finished!”
“That’s it? That took no time.”
“This isn’t the Taj Mahal, Si. Anyway, what’s up? You scared the shit out of me.”
“Your munchies are here!” She pointed to the shipment I requested for the party.
“Brunchies, not munchies.” I rolled my eyes. “Wait! They’re here?”
“Yeah, over there. I love their look!” Sisi gestured toward several large, hot pink boxes. They were the physical version of my design concept, inspired by our working session at Pink House. And they looked so good! I unboxed a case of the Miss Mosas, which came out even better than I hoped!
“Those are pretty fire,” Noah chimed in. It warmed my heart to see their reactions. If Noah didn’t believe my “gig” was important before, I’d at least hoped these redesigned cans showed him it was now.
“By the way, I don’t need you all night. Wanna just stay for happy hour?” Sisi asked.
“Yeah, that’s perfect!” Knowing Milo would be working a few more hours, I decided it was better to make extra cash while I waited for him.
“Cool. Though it’s likely going to be slow.”
“That’s fine. I’m going to find fun ways to show off these cans at the party,” I assured Sisi before she went upstairs to the kitchen.
“What party?” Noah asked after she left.
“I’m throwing a Fourth of July party for Brunchies,” I said, holding up one of the Miss Mosas. “You’re the investor. Shouldn’t you know?”
“Hm, maybe you’ll see me a third time this month.” He lifted his eyebrows and smirked flirtatiously. I tried to repress my reciprocated smile and went upstairs for my bar shift, taking the package of Brunchies with me. Oh, Noah, you always have a way of pulling me in.
Before Milo arrived, he asked if I wanted takeout from a restaurant he’d been remodeling. Everywhere Milo went, people loved him. Especially his clients. He managed to bring us delicious meals and treats from them often.
Milo: Here’s the menu. Take your pick! But let me guess, the Greek salad with salmon.
Kay: Mhmmmm. But you forgot the fries.
Milo: Ah, the fries! Be there around eight.
Without a doubt, Milo was boyfriend material. I recognized it more and more over the past weeks. I became less afraid of what it meant to be with him because I knew he’d be a supportive and loving partner, but I was growingly uncertain about our connection. Would I get bored of his safety net?
“Hey, can you put in food for me?” Noah startled me. I’d forgotten he was here.
“Um, yeah, sure. What do you want?” Caught off guard, I wondered why of everyone working, he asked me.
“I actually don’t remember the menu. Let me see.” He came behind the bar, stood arm-to-arm with me, and looked at the computer screen.
“We have a paper menu.” I inched away to pick one up for him.
“That’s okay. I’d like to see the system anyway.” Noah moved his fingers across the digital menu, and it was as if time had slowed down. Next to him, I felt a stream of affinity between us. He tilted his head toward me and hovered his hand above the entrée button.
“Here?” he asked,his eyes pierced through me. I felt a wave of fervor, remembering what it was like to be physically close to him.
“Yup.” I remained casual, but there was no denying our connection. He turned his head back to the screen, his dirty blond hair tossing with it. Even without touching, I knew he wanted me. Our chemistry was electric. Snap out of it, Kay.
I peered across the main floor to see Milo waiting for me at the host stand. Seeing him, I was less than excited. In fact, I was bummed. Dramatic, but standing next to Noah again felt like nothing short of cosmic alignment. I didn’t want to leave… this. Whatever this was.
“Is that the guy?” Noah asked.
“Oh, um. Well. That’s Milo.” As the words uncomfortably left my mouth, I knew I wished Noah didn’t see him. Deep down, I wanted him to assume I was still single. Why, when I finally have a nice guy, am I tested with temptation?
After Milo and I shared dinner, we had mediocre sex. The initial magnetism I felt toward his body and his hips on mine was absent tonight. I further questioned if I needed something more. A little mystery, a little uncertainty, maybe?
I know, I know. We always ask for what we don’t have, but sometimes a girl needs a little danger. And Milo is safe. So safe. I desired this kind of stability for so long, so why was I now so tempted to explore other options?
Milo and I lay together in silence that night. My mind shifted from responding to Adam, to the Brunchies party, to Noah, and ultimately, to maybe not committing to Milo after all. In the morning, he was gone. My first thought was one of relief. My second, How is he? I texted him on my way to work, enjoying the security of knowing that he’d always respond.
Garnished
* * *
For the first time in weeks, I put a lot of effort into my outfit for LaToulle’s. I wore a flowy summer dress paired with a thin gold necklace and wedged sandals that forced me to take the bus.
Today was my first one-on-one video call with Samantha since she left for a sabbatical—I mean, “vacation.” I dialed in for our 8:00 a.m. meeting early to accommodate her European time zone. With just a minute to spare, Andre swung open the door.
“She ain’t makin’ it.” He looked at me blankly, like his words carried no significance.
“What?”
“She canceled all her meetings today. Let me guess, you didn’t check your phone again this morning.”
“Actually, I did!” I got defensive because I hadn’t. I’d been listening to a podcast, trying to practice mindfulness on my commute.
“You really need a smartwatch or something,” Andre huffed and went back to his desk. But true to his word, when I did check my phone, Samantha had messaged me.
Samantha: Kay, need to postpone. I’ve asked Natasha to join you on the Brunchies event. She will be of help on-site. Let’s debrief next week.
Her message was one of only a few I’d received from her all summer, but it irked me the most. She hadn’t weighed in on any aspect of the event, yet somehow Natasha had to help?
Wait, Natasha has to help. At Lola’s. Natasha at Lola’s?
I shared my grievances with Sisi that evening before taking her to a Broadway show, a kind of “congratulations” for her promotion and a thank you for helping me climb out of debt and afford us a night out.
“I’m telling you, Samantha doesn’t care about Brunchies. She sees how well you’re doing and knows she doesn’t have to worry. What you really need to be asking is whether a promotion is worth working for her.”
“But what if—”
“But nothing! She’s not going to change. It’s been her firm for decades. Plus, how much more money do you think you’ll make there? I haven’t heard of her treating anyone how they’re valued. Hasn’t Andre been in the same role for, like, twenty years?” I wanted to convince her Samantha wasn’t so bad, but my phone buzzed.
Olivia: We’re having a party on Saturday at Tap. Come!
I showed Sisi and told her about Olivia’s new haircut and business relationship with Bryan, and that she even helped me with ideas for the Brunchies party. Sisi wasn’t impressed.
“Oh please, it’ll always only be about Olivia. Olivia, Olivia, Olivia. Period. But I do want to see her hair, so show me!” I pulled up Olivia’s recent TikTok. “She does look good, I’ll give her that.” She took my phone to scroll through the comments when I got another message. “Seriously, you’re talking to that dude?”
Adam: Where’s Kay?
“Not even! I haven’t heard from him for days.”
“So you’re not messaging him?”
“Well, no.”
“Why so sus?”
“No, I haven’t, I swear! But honestly… I’ve thought about it. Look, before you give me crap, I get that Milo is great. I know that, you know that, I think the whole world knows that. But Si, it’s easy and safe and, well…”
“Boring?” she asked.
“A little…” I sighed, knowing how unfortunate the circumstance was. “I finally have a great guy who I really love spending time with, but I’m just not sure…”
“Then just see Adam.” Seriously?
“Seriously?” I asked again, this time out loud.
“You’ve been so unsure about Milo—which is crazy, by the way—so why not go and get this loser out of your system? Maybe if you’re with Adam again, you’ll finally realize how good you have it and move on.” I didn’t have a chance to respond because we arrived at the theater and the usher hurried us to our seats.
“The show is starting!” She whispered angrily. When we sat, I texted Adam back.
Kay: What’s up?
I wasn’t sure what it would lead to, but Milo was out of town this weekend for a beach trip. I figured now was a better time than ever.
During intermission, I got confirmation from Milo that he’d arrived at the beach, though I was more excited to see a flurry of messages from Adam.
Adam: Finally. Thought you were dodging me.
Adam: I want to see you again.
Adam: When are you free?
Adam: Can I see you?
Kay: Maybe.
As tempted as it’d been, I didn’t think I could carry through. Sure, Milo and I weren’t “official” yet, but it didn’t dismiss Adam’s intolerable actions just a few months prior.
Throughout the second act, I tried to remember this, though truthfully, I couldn’t resist thinking about what would happen if I turned my maybe into a yes. Either way, Adam didn’t need to know that yet.
Bottom’s Up
* * *
The next morning, I lay spread out across my mattress and stared out my bedroom window. I found pleasure in having my apartment to myself again, without Milo. It didn’t seem normal to feel contained at the start of a budding relationship. I tried to shake the feeling.
On the other hand, today was the perfect day for the Brunchies event. The sun beamed, and the temperature was warm but not too hot. I made a strong coffee, worked out, and dressed in my best outfit for the long evening ahead. After the Brunchies event, I promised Olivia I’d go to her and Bryan’s party at Tap, a chic club downtown.
I wore a strapless blue and white top that tied like a bow at my chest with dark blue, shimmery shorts. I omitted red so as not to appear too matchy, and I made sure my outfit wasn’t too revealing. Myra would be at Lola’s, and I wanted her to know I was more professional than our situation rendered.
Sisi insisted I come as a guest, not an employee. In return, I’d make sure all the drinks were placed where they needed to be. Kind of my job anyway as the PR rep, but also my best option so Natasha wouldn’t uncover my second job. I predetermined the best thing to do would be to play it cool. It was unlikely Natasha would find out anyway, between her withdrawn attitude and that she’d only be managing the guest list.
The party started at 3:00 p.m. and would end after the 9:00 p.m. annual fireworks, which we’d watch from the rooftop. When I arrived, Sisi, in a blue and sparkly latex romper and white boots, directed an electrician to install red, white, and blue light fixtures across the rooftop.
“Yes, like that! That’s perfect!” she told him before showing the hired burlesque artists where they’d perform in a few hours.
I got to work immediately, strategically placing the Brunchies cans inside matching buckets with decorates aligned to the flavor, like sprinkling peach candies with the Peach-a-lini. The entire staff also worked together, listening to pop music, rolling silverware, and preparing the cash registers. It was the excitement before an ensuing night that was often the best part.
“Are these seriously the new drinks you want us to serve? There’s no alcohol in them.” One of the waitresses said to Sisi and I, just as I was greeting Natasha. Perfect timing.
“What’s wrong with it?” Sisi asked.
“Just weird.” She shrugged and walked away. Ugh. Her comment ruminated with me, and I felt like I’d been sucker punched. Sisi rolled her eyes and turned back to me.
“These bitches and their opinions,” she said before storming off to address another matter. I only hoped Brunchies would be better received by our guests, especially in front of Myra.
And to no avail, they were. About an hour into the party, the rooftop was full but not overcrowded. Natasha fulfilled her role of managing the guest list effectively. Each lounge area had a group of five to ten friends who purchased a table in advance.
It was a calmer environment than the jungle themed party, and everyone seemed to take to Brunchies. I even heard a few people give compliments like, “How cute are these?” and “Perfect! I didn’t want to get wasted today.” As I was saving their quotes on my Notes app, Myra arrived.
“This is very impressive,” she said, looking around.
“Myra, it’s so nice to see you again!” And it was because she was happy, which made me relieved. Regardless of Samantha’s nonattendance, there was no denying my event was a success.
“I think this is great. I know you said this isn’t only about photos, but I’m going to snap a few.”
“Oh, please, go ahead! I also put a Polaroid on each table instead of hiring a photographer. Thought it would better capture the mood we want to strike.”
“Ah, agreed. Love it!” she said.
—
Another hour later, the doors closed, Natasha left, and the burlesque performance began. A man juggling knives and eating fire started the routine, followed by a drag performance and ending with two women dancing in panties and pasties. I looked around at the fun-loving crowd until my eyes met with Noah’s. I felt a jolt in my heart. He actually came?
I pretended I didn’t see him and checked in with Myra, who stood with me at the end of the show. As we watched together, she clapped with the crowd, which made the nearly visible boobs swinging in front of us a lot less awkward. And just as the performers reached the peak of their act, someone tapped my shoulder. I jumped, worried it was Noah.
“Ah! Girl, it’s been a damn minute.” It was Lilly, the writer at Moxy, her English accent more pronounced than ever. “How are you?” she asked before hugging me. “And Myra, hello! Brunchies is fabulous!” she said before air kissing her.
“Lilly, what are you doing here?” I asked, knowing she was supposed to be in the Hamptons this weekend.
“Ah, we decided not to go. The traffic was out of control, and we’d never make it to our party in time.” She said “we,” speaking to the woman next to her, whom I didn’t recognize.
“Hi, I’m Tiffany,” the woman introduced herself. She was a middle-aged Black woman, elegant in her expensive jewelry and designer dress, assured in her warm greeting and a firm handshake.
“Tiffany is the head of commercial marketing for Moxy Media,” Lilly told us. “And I am just lucky enough to be doing a feature on her and her fabulousness.”
“Oh, please,” Tiffany rebutted humbly. “Great event here. I like it,” she continued. We introduced ourselves and our line of work, which Tiffany was very interested in. She especially wanted to learn more about the event.
“So, who’s throwing this party? It’s really just fabulous, and I love the way you’re debuting Brunchies,” she said.
“LaTou—” I started to answer when Myra interrupted.
“It was all Kay. She put this together,” she leaned in, covering the side of her mouth to sarcastically whisper, “even though her boss is terrible.” I nervously laughed, her comment more uncomfortable than the swinging burlesque boobs.
“Unsupportive bosses get you nowhere. Lilly, send Kay my email,” she ordered. “I’d like to tell you about a role we have on my team. I think there’s a place for this kind of talent at Moxy.” I was in disbelief. Her offer came so quickly, but Tiffany had that type of captivating presence. I imagine she was someone who rarely heard the word “no.” So, I nodded, even though it felt like I was cheating on Samantha.
