A pear and apple salad with a honey-lime vinaigrette chilled in the fridge, while my famous diced tomato short ribs, creamed potatoes, and sautéed spinach travelled through the house. For an added bonus, I baked Levi’s favorite yellow cake topped with chocolate almond icing for dessert, and set it next to the centerpiece flower arrangement.
Taylor and Levi arrived on schedule. Mash welcomed them inside, and Taylor’s eyes could not stop sizing him up. She became fixated with his hand around my waist, and hardly parted her lips, while Levi participated alone in the conversation. “Why are we still standing here?” I asked, “Let’s get some drinks in those hands.”
As we walked to the living room, Mash thanked them for bringing me to London. Levi was his normal modest self, cool and collected, and dismissed the notion they had anything to do with fate. Taylor, on the other hand, replied, “You’re welcome.” I knew then we were in for a long night.
The men set off to smoke cigars in Mash’s studio, while Taylor and I took a quick view of his house. Subtle sounds murmured behind me as she looked around each room, never offering a compliment. When we made it to the kitchen, she stared at me as I carefully proportioned the dinner plates, smirking and shaking her head. “You seem right at home. Playing Susie Homemaker,” she chided.
“I made the apple and pear salad you like,” I deflected.
“He seems to really like you,” she continued.
“Taylor. I’ve never fell for someone this fast before.”
“Fell? As in?”
“You know.”
“You can’t be serious. You two are so, different.”
“Have you seen how fine he is?”
“He’s okay, but still. He’s… and you’re…”
“Yeah we are. And it doesn’t matter. We click. I don’t care about color. Only him as a person, and how he makes me feel. And he makes me feel damn good. I’m in love.”
“Girl stop playing.”
“Judge me. Tease me. Do or say whatever you want. I’ve been bitten and I’m smitten.”
“Okay calm down Foxy Brown. It’s been what four days?”
“I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true.”
“Do you love him like you loved Dylan?”
“Dylan who?”
Taylor stood with her mouth slightly parted, and a look of disbelief on her face. Mash and Levi’s voices grew closer entering the temporary dining room, snapping Taylor out of her zone. She surprised me and carried the salad to the table, and I trailed her with the dinner plates, enjoying the sounds of the men getting on so well.
I considered Levi one of my male best friends. He was always a delight, a great role model for the youth, patient, and respectable. Being the great conversationalist he is, he kept the table talk interesting with discussions of business, sports, books, politics of the west, and entertainment knowing it was Mash’s field. “If you don’t mind me asking, how much does all of that equipment run you?” Levi asked.
“Quite a pretty penny. It’s taken me years to get everything I needed for a fully functioning lab, but it was worth it. Studio time costs an arm and a leg. Now I can work from home and save my coins.”
“You seem to be doing well for yourself for a deejay,” Taylor added.
“Babe, that’s inappropriate,” Levi scolded.
“It’s okay. I do more than deejay at clubs and spin records. I do sound engineering, sound mixing, radio guest spots, and produce music. My next project is producing the score for a movie coming out this winter.”
“By score you mean add the music to the scenes, right?” Levi asked.
“Yes. It will be a major accomplishment for me.”
“Have we heard any of the music you produced in the U.S?” Taylor asked.
“Probably not on the radio, but satellite radio spins them. Techno is bigger over here than it is in the states.”
“It amazes me how different things are here. I can’t get past the driving on the wrong side of the road,” I said.
Levi, Mash and I laughed at my comment, while Taylor stewed at how great we were getting along. “You’ll get used to it,” Mash replied sharing a look with Levi. “Nadia, you did good with this one,” Levi said. I nodded and rubbed the back of his neck.
Taylor rejoined the conversation, and changed the subject to discuss the wedding. Mash didn’t know Taylor well enough, to know she was baiting him. Unaware of her trap, he thought it would be good to say something about the wedding to appease her. “Is it okay if I come to the wedding as Nadia’s plus one?” he asked.
“Weddings are for people you are close with. You know family and friends, and we don’t know you like that,” she bitched.
“Don’t listen to her man, of course you are welcome. Baby, the man has invited us into his home. Don’t be rude,” said Levi.
“That’s the second time you’ve chastised me tonight.”
Levi and I put our forks down, knowing where the night was headed. We had years of experience with Taylor’s flip side. Her ugly head had arrived, looking for a fight, and wouldn’t stop until she got one. “Am I the only person here who realizes how crazy you two are being? Nadia, can you honestly say this isn’t moving too fast?”
“I told you it was moving fast, and I’m on board. I’m happy.”
“And you?” Taylor pointed her fork towards Mash. “Is this your first interracial relationship Mash? What is your real name?”
“Wow. No, it’s not. And my legal name is Maximus Sharper.”
“You live half a day apart—by plane, how serious can you be with my friend?”
I tapped Mash on the leg, and shook my head no, so he didn’t answer her. Levi and I shared a look, then I faced Taylor, “Don’t speak to him like that. He invited you here, and you’re being beyond rude. What’s up with you?” She was blown away I confronted her behavior. She huffed, “This is all insane to me. You two are acting like you’re so in love. You know nothing about each other.”
“I know enough, and I do love her,” said Mash.
I lifted my head and shared a smile with him. He leaned over and kissed me gently, then looked to Taylor, “And we don’t owe anyone an explanation of what is happening between us.” She looked to Levi to speak on her behalf, “I’m not chastising you Tay, but baby he’s right.”
Taylor threw her hands up, “Apparently, it’s 3 to 1, so I’ll go back to minding my business. I’ve said what needed to be said.” I scoffed, “Let’s agree to disagree, but everything is cool. I know when you bit my head off earlier, you were feeling like I’m stealing your thunder. I promise you that is not my intent. I’m here for you. We just want to spend as much time together as we can before I leave.”
“Baby, apologize to them,” said Levi.
“No need. I know she’s stressed out about the wedding. We’re cool,” I said patting her hand across the table.
“Well I’m glad we got that cleared up, because I think I found my first bromance,” said Levi pounding fists with Mash. “Now can we cut this cake?”
Chapter Six
Shots
Naked I lie in his arms, my eyes closed enjoying his caress against my back. My hands pressed against his firm chest, my head next to his. “Morning,” he says. My eyes greet him and I smile. “Five more minutes,” I say.
“Then five more minutes it is.”
The morning was opposite of the night prior. With friends we laughed, danced and drank ourselves into slumber, but woke to the realization our secluded days had come to an end. This day was inescapable. He walked me inside and we said our goodbyes at the elevator. I did a quick change into my purple Team Bride t-shirt, and I was back on duty, fulfilling Taylor’s every wish and command.
London weather was fickle. Sunny with wicked winds, making it chilly and warm depending on the hour. The overcast and breezes didn’t serve well for some of the planned family activities. During the downtime, we stood around and gossiped, half-assing around
when it came time to pick up where we left off. The constant stop and go killed the competition, and purple versus green ended earlier than planned. With lunch an hour away, improvisations were made as the family selected someone to sing a solo, forced the younger children to entertain, and fought one another for the microphone to speak about the wedding—the ones who weren’t asked to be a part of the ceremony.
The caterers arrived and like good worker bees, the wedding party saw that everyone was seated and fed, before ourselves. The bridal party table was then allowed to clock out, and we gathered at our assigned table lastly, a few feet shy from the elderly section. The memo hadn’t been received to everyone, that Taylor was feeling a certain way about my absence, as her cousin Janine pried into my business, “Where have you been?” she asked.
“Around,” I answered.
“I haven’t seen you. I thought you were jetlagged or something when you didn’t come with us to Paris.”
“No, I wasn’t jetlagged.”
“She was in Spain,” Isla blurted.
“I didn’t know we had the option to choose where we wanted to go,” said Janine.
“We didn’t,” said Isla. “Did you and Taylor work everything out?”
“Yeah. I think she had a good time last night.”
“Oh, so there was drama,” Janine inquired.
“No, there wasn’t any drama, but since everything is cool now, I have to know. What is it like being with a white man?” Shannon asked.
“So, it was you they were all whispering about,” Janine interjected.
“They were whispering about me?”
“It wasn’t like that. When we went to Paris, Taylor was upset when she found out why you weren’t there is all. They may have overheard a thing or two, but it’s nothing to fret about,” added Khai.
“Now that that’s squared away. Give us the deets,” said Shannon.
“My lips are sealed. And don’t ask me anything about the past couple of days.”
“Then tell us about the nights,” Shannon joked. “Come on Nadia. You’ve been gone for like three days. If it was whack, you wouldn’t have stayed over there so long. Now quit playing and give me something. You got down with the swirl, now tell your girl,” she pled.
“Why do you think I fucked him?”
“Did you? Can you verify if London men are the worst lovers?”
“No comment.”
“I know you did it. From now on Nadia, I’m calling you GK. Grandma Klump. That’s the only white man make me moist!” Shannon voiced as the character she quoted.
The entire table burst into laughter. Tears formed in my eyes as I cried laughing at her antics, and uncanny rendition of that scene from the Nutty Professor movie. “Do not call me that!” I begged wiping my eyes.
“He is a hottie. I know that much?” said Shannon.
“How do you know that?”
“I looked him up online. Hell, everyone’s met him except me.”
“Pull up his picture. I want to see too,” said Janine.
“Shannon did more than look up his picture,” said Khai.
“He is a celebrity. They always put their personal information out there. What people make per movie, net worth etc... You’re in good hands,” Shannon explained then showed his picture to Janine.
“Oh yeah. I’d ride up to his house butt naked on a horse covered in honey,” she added.
Her comment led to more tears and crying laughter amongst us. A few of us gasped for air. The others searched for napkins to wipe their lids, and the elders at the table nearby all smiled at us. Isla remained indifferent.
“What is your problem?” Shannon asked Isla.
“Why do you think I have a problem?”
“Because that was funny, and you are over there all stoned face.”
“It wasn’t that funny.”
“Don’t worry about her Shannon, her beef is with me. She’s called dibs on my guy, which is ridiculous.”
“Is that why you’ve been starting shit? I’ve been peeping how you’ve been getting in Taylor’s ear. Not cool,” said Khai.
“Isla, how do you call dibs on a man? Please do tell,” Shannon inquired.
Snickers filled the table as all eyes were upon Isla. “If you will excuse me,” she said, removing herself. Shannon began her line of questioning once more, asking for details of my sexual conquest, and the appearance of my lover’s lumber. I refused to share the details, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She began explaining why her curiosity was getting the best of her, “I just want to know if white men look like black men down there. You know, like you can be with a light skinned dude, but his thing will be brown, or you can be with a dark-skinned dude, and his thing will be reddish brown, or…”
“We get the picture Shannon,” said Khai giggling with the rest of the table.
“Seriously, what color is it? Inquiring minds want to know.”
“I would say hummus,” said Janine.
“Hummus? Hummus tastes just like it sounds—Hum-Ass,” said Shannon.
The table paused in silence for a moment. A mixture of chuckles from Shannon’s pun, and images of Janine’s description pictured in our heads. We all looked at each other, guilty and tickled. Several hmm’s and huh’s were expressed, and collectively we burst into loud cackles, creating a stir and landing the attention of Taylor. She waltzed over with Isla at her side, “Y’all better not be over here laughing at me.”
“Don’t worry. We’re not,” Khai assured her.
“What’s so funny?”
“Shannon,” we all said.
“I promise I’m behaving,” Shannon replied in defense.
The laughter wasn’t as boisterous as before, but it continued, and Taylor begged to be in on the joke. Janine took it upon herself to speak up, “I was being my delightful self, telling your friends a few stories and what not. You came over just in time. Tell us, who could be the vanilla in your sundae?”
“You do realize our grandmother is sitting right there,” Taylor pointed.
“Your grandmother might have a story she wants to share,” Shannon teased.
“If she doesn’t, I do!” shouted the grandmother’s sister.
Shannon and Taylor’s great-aunt snapped their fingers at one another, then shared a head nod of solidarity. “She knows what’s up,” said Shannon, “Now let’s see if it runs in the family. Who is on your list?”
“Nick Jonas,” Taylor whispered.
“Is he legal?” asked Isla.
“If he isn’t he will be when I’m done with him.”
“Yeah let’s hurry up and get you married,” said Khai.
“I’d do Brad Pitt,” said Shannon.
“Did you see him in Snatch,” Janine asked.
“Hell yeah. The scene when they burned his mama’s van is why he is on my list. Come to think of it. He was smoking in Mr. & Mrs. Smith too. Since you’ve already dipped your toes in the clear ocean, would you do it again?” Shannon asked Janine.
“Most definitely. Seth motherfucking Rogen.”
“I can see that,” Shannon concurred.
“He’s like a total package for me. Funny, cute, high as hell, cool, and a head full of curly hair. Hell to the yeah.”
“I have always thought Thor looked like he packed a punch,” said Khai.
“He was wearing a piece in Vacation. It was not real,” said Shannon.
“How do you know?”
“I researched it.”
“Well he’s still my pick.”
“And a damn good one,” we assented.
“Don’t leave out Captain America either,” added Janine.
“Yeah, he’s very seasoned,” said Taylor. “What about you Isla?”
“I support black love. I’ve never given it much thought.”
“You told me you would fuck Jon Snow.”
“I told you that in confidence.”
�
��Like you would ever meet him,” Taylor teased.
“Jon Snow and Daario Naharis,” I cosigned.
“Which Daario?” Isla asked.
“The first one.”
“Yes lawd. That Daenerys is a lucky bitch.”
“Who the hell are y’all talking about?” asked Shannon.
“It’s a Game of Thrones thing,” we synchronized.
“Why are we talking about this again?” asked Taylor.
“You know why,” Isla snarled.
Levi pulled Taylor away for what looked to be a serious chat. Hand gestures, pouting, and pleading appeared to be the theme of their conversation. Taylor returned to the table, gave me a dirty look, then accused Mash of being a troublemaker. She was upset he invited Levi, and his groomsmen on a party bus with strippers, for a night out of fun and bar crawling. She pressured me into calling him so he could rescind his offer.
Under severe scrutiny, I dialed him. ‘Don’t answer,’ I sang to myself.
Heavy music blasted through the line. No greeting, just vibrating bass and chatter in the background. “Sorry about that. I wasn’t at a stopping point. Is everything okay?” he answered.
“I don’t think so. Taylor would like to have a word with you.”
Before I finished my thought, Taylor swiped my phone demanding answers, “How many people can this bus hold? How well do you know these strippers? Who are these people coming with you?”
“It’s a party bus. Quite a bit I imagine. And I’m bringing the artist I’m working with at the moment. whom I need to get back to.”
“Except all of us tonight. We’re crashing the party.”
“Taylor, I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. It’s my way of helping him celebrate before the wedding.”
“What time do we leave?”
“7.”
“See you then.”
An Affair Abroad Page 7