“My what?”
“Quarantini. It’s a martini cocktail that we drank during the apocalypse brought on by that dreaded bitch Miss Rona.” He set the glasses and bottle of vodka down by a sleek cash register. “Dirty? Dry? Shaken? Stirred?”
I smiled. “You pick and I’m sure I’ll love it.”
“Good. I’ve got some dry vermouth in the back with some green olives and lemon peels.” He clapped. “It’s a celebration, Jade.”
I laughed.
He left.
Frowning, Kamal called after him. “Nice seeing you too, by the way!”
“You just get that platinum card out, Navi, while Jade and I drink our worries away. I’m about to put on Mrs. Beyoncé.”
Kamal headed off to the right of the store. “Make sure you keep your lips to yourself, Ross!”
“Of course. It’s a virus going on. I’ll have to kiss her again another time.”
Following him, I chuckled.
Kamal turned my way and frowned.
I shrugged. “What?”
“Don’t encourage this craziness.”
“I can’t imagine you two being roommates.”
“Why not?”
“He’s crazy fun and you’re. . .”
He leaned his head to the side. “Boring as fuck?”
“You have more of a chill demeanor.”
“Hmmm.” He checked out a pair of black jeans hanging from the stringed lights. “By the way, get whatever you want.”
I gazed at the women’s section. “I probably won’t. It’s not like I’m going a lot of places this month.”
“Get something. Especially some new pajamas.”
“What is up with your hate for Hello Kitty?”
“I don’t hate Hello Kitty. I dislike the thin material of the top and the tiny length of the shorts.”
I paused from what I was doing.
Not noticing my reaction, he continued, “No complaining on the beautiful view of your legs, but they will be a distraction from work this upcoming week.”
I can be a distraction for him? That’s news to me.
“Okay!” Ross returned with a bowl of lemons, a jar of olives, and plastic gloves on his hands. “It’s Quarantini Time!”
Kamal grabbed several jeans. “Have fun. I’ll be in the back trying on clothes.”
“Sounds good.” I walked over to Ross, but I still couldn’t get his small admission out of my head.
My legs are a distraction. That’s an interesting turn of events.
Ross stood on the other side of the counter stirring up two glasses. “Navi doesn’t get a quarnatini since he’s driving.”
“How did you know he drove?”
“He just bought the Beast. Of course he drove.”
I chuckled. “That’s what he named his car?”
Ross nodded and pointed to the glass closest to me. “That’s yours.”
“Thanks.” I grabbed it.
“And Navi is a perfect gentleman. He would feel weird letting a woman drive.” Ross picked up his own glass took a few steps back and sipped his.
“You’re drinking with me, so you don’t have to drive?”
“No. I live a few blocks down.”
“Lucky you.”
“He said you’re shopping too.” Ross sized me up. “I have some nice suits that will fit you perfectly.”
“I’m actually looking for some pajamas.”
“Hmmm.” Ross looked up at the ceiling as if in deep thought. “I have a few things that could be pajamas. I’ll bring them out after we finish. I just needed some alcohol.”
“I get it.”
“This drink is not the best for the immune system, but after a few glasses who cares anymore?”
“That’s facts.” I took another sip.
Ross checked the back.
I looked in that direction and didn’t see Kamal.
“So. . .” Ross lowered his voice. “What happened with Amber and him?”
“I was hoping you knew.”
“Damn it. He didn’t tell you either?”
I shook my head and drank some more.
“I wonder what she did.”
I leaned forward. “You don’t think he did anything?”
“No. Kamal stepped into 2020 on some Luke-Skywalker-building-his-empire sort of deal. He was thinking of marriage and kids.”
I wasn’t sure if that metaphor worked, but I nodded.
“Amber totally did something. She’s a hot mess. Glamorous on the outside, but horrific on the inside. He said she was popping pills like it was candy and being all hysterical, throwing shit around like she was getting a check for it.” Ross wagged his finger. “If I didn’t have a penis, I would have gone over there and wrung her neck. I knew if I told Zora, she would have.”
“More facts. I’m glad you didn’t tell her.”
“Zora doesn’t play when it comes to her brother.”
“Not at all.”
Kamal appeared from the back. “I need a bigger size. Do you have anything in the back here?”
Ross and I turned his way.
Damn.
Kamal stepped forward, barefoot and without a shirt. I almost choked on my drink. The top of the jeans hung under perfect abs. His chest was more chiseled than I had imagined.
Ross snapped. “Baby, you don’t need a bigger size. You need a saddle attached to the front and a sign saying, ‘Twenty dollars for a ride.’”
Kamal scowled. “Let’s say I don’t want to be an amusement park ride. Do you have any other sizes?”
Ross pouted, put his glass down, and marched off. “Fine. I’ll check, but it’s going to be a half-hearted search. You were born to wear tight jeans.”