You and You Only: Chapter 1

Three years later(after Ivy's engagement)
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Nia's POV
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I tapped my fingers impatient against the smooth countertop of the bar table. Sharise danced in a group with our friends waving her diamond fingered in the hand as she did so.

Why I had come to town when I could've been at my own apartment relaxing and watching t.v......was a stupid question to ask myself. I came because of Sharise and because She wanted me to have fun and not the other way round.

Nightclubs were still not my thing as well as the dress I had on and the thin high heels. Sharise convinced me to buy that black strapless dress months ago....and I hated it. It was nice...yes....difficult to walk and sit in....oh yeah. Every time I stood up I yanked it down....well enough not to flash anyone. My brown hair was pinned back into curls and Sharise had taken the time to make my face up...and I was glassless.

Neshia and Miranda weaseled their way out of the dance floor and sat at bar stool on either side of me. Neshia a married woman of two years had on a dress similar to mines...how her husband let her out of the house like that was beyond my comprehension...especially with the looks she was getting. Miranda was a lot more conservative than me, in fact instead of a dress she had on a pair of black skinny jeans a lacy white top and black heels. Her red hair was gone and now fell around her shoulder in shiny dark brown curls.

"Hey why aren't you out there!" Miranda yelled over the music.

"I don't dance! And why'd yall leave Sharise out there alone?"

"Alexia is somewhere. Now. Move ya ass Girl!" Neshia microphoned with her hands.

"Nooooo."

They took a arm each and dragged me on the dance floor....
I still couldn't dance..

On my 25th birthday and I still couldn't dance.

"Come on just move a little bit."

I panicked and froze.

"Move your hips girl."

Neshia got behind me and put her hands on my waist moving them for me.

"Yeah do that...Nia. Come on, move ya ass girl!"

I would've rather spent my birthday sleeping.

I closed my eyes and hummed along with the music and moved my hips from side to side slowly.

"Good...go with the flow."

That wasn't the first time I had been to the club, and neither was it the first time I had danced....but it was inconsistent and I lost the feeling of rhythm each time.

Big hands circled my waist and my butt accidentally rubbed against a mans crouch! His head rested in the crook of my neck and Neshia did nothing but stared gape mouthed. Miranda whistled.

"There you go Nia!"

No way. I unclawed the hands and pushed the man away. I turned around and looked at him prepared to tear him down to the lowest degree possible.

A bright African-American man beamed down at me. Cleaned cut, but something about him screamed 'One-Nighter'.

I smiled at the man, "thank you, but no thanks. I don't do grinding...."

Anymore...

Hah...that was junior year in college.

"Come on sweetie....one dance." He tried to dazzle me with his over experienced smile and reached for my hands.

"No..no no...thank you."

I mouthed , 'we need to go' to the crew and made my way back to the bar table.

Ten minutes later all four of the women made their way back to the bar table.

"You're not having a good time are you?" Neshia said sliding onto a stool with her blue halter dress.

"No, I'm not....sorry. these men are disgusting."

"Your future husband is out there somewhere." Alexia joked.

I looked at the men, for the most part they were nice looking....but it was that one man who made my skin crawl.

"If you're talking about the Leeches, then I'll pass."

"Well come on."

"Where are we going."

"Something more your style. Jazz Cafe it is! Happy 25th birthday Nia!"
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The Jazz Cafe was more of my style. We had our own table reserved for the five of us and ordered drinks as we listened to the musicians for the night. The establishment was dimly lit and modern looking, overall it had a relaxed atmosphere. That calmed my nerves.

"I gotta eat. You know big girls need to eat." Alexia said.

I rolled my eyes at her and smiled. If anyone was big it would be me, she was the opposite of big..which was small, perhaps even a little too small. She was taller than me, bright skinned with hazel eyes and a affinity for good weave....long, curling and blondish brown to match her skin tone. She was the eye catcher of the group, still single, yet dating all the time.

Hell I wanted a date...

It had been so long since I'd even had a kiss.

"Ahhhh can't believe I'm getting married!" Sharise exclaimed after we had ordered our food and drinks.

"Shhh." I giggled, "How long have you been dating Ricki? It is about time."

She put her hand in front of her face and examined the ring.
I'm pretty sure everyone at that table silently thought that she should've gotten married to him years ago. It was no secret she and him were already sexually active and had been for years. I was surprised she waited until twenty one to lose her virginity....the way those two eye f*cked each other it was a wonder that they kept sane in public.

Let me tell youuuu. He put it down last night."

I covered her mouth, "Sharise, don't be telling everyone your business. We already know."

"Ok ok. Damn, there's no alcohol in my system and I'm already off the walls."she spoke when I took my hand away.

I shook my head.

"He ain't the only one putting it down." Alexia gushed.

I slid down in the booth and looked around to see if anyone was listening. I could understand why Alexia and Sharise were such good friends, but if she didn't watch Alexia she would probably back out of the wedding.

"Ok, we know whose putting it down and whose not. Can we behave like women tonight??? College years are over." Neshia said.

That's my girl!

"I'm with Neshia."

"As do I." Miranda agreed.

The drinks came and we sipped as we listened to the music. Neshia eyed my glass.

"No you didn't get cranberry juice."

I cupped my hands around the glass to hide the content of it.

"No....I didn't."

"Nia. Drink a little, it is your birthday, do something wild."

I took a sip of my juice, "You don't want to see me be wild."

"You would last Nia." Miranda laughed.

I scrunched up my face, "Thanks for the support."

"Honestly. Goody-goody. You never do anything wild."

I took another sip of juice before speaking.

"I should've stayed home."

"No, you're staying at my place to night Nia. I never get to see you. You're out of town and I'm here with these bums.." She giggled
and nodded at all the girls, they laughed along with her.

"Well. I've been thinking about moving back....I'm looking for a new job and I want to be closer to my family. I've missed you guys a lot. After college we all just split apart, we should make this a regular thing."

"I'll toast to that." Miranda raised her glass and we all clinked simultaneously.

Later after I had eaten I walked outside and sat in one of the outdoor chairs on the balcony. Footsteps made me look up and I could see a silhouette of a man in the dark as he approached.

"Mind if I sit here?" I could see his face now, soft and friendly,dark, handsome...he looked older than my twenty five years.

"Go ahead."

Although I didn't see the point of him sitting there.

"I saw you and your friends....I wanted to approach you, but thought it would be best if I do it alone...and now I have the chance."

I blushed, he had caught me off guard and I wasn't sure of what to say.

"Mr....."

"Smith." He spoke softly and then smiled showing me his straight pearly whites.

"Its nice to meet you." I held out my hand and he took it, but instead of shaking it he kissed it slowly. Uncontrollable shivers went up my arm.

"And the same to you."

I clamped my legs together, the short dress was bothering me again, more so because I could see that even though he may not have wanted to his eyes bore holes into my dress.

You seem kind of young to be drinking, how old are you?"

Drinking? He must've assumed the juice was alcohol.

"I am actually making twenty five today...and that was cranberry juice and not alcohol."

He chuckled and I stared at him oddly.

"I'm sorry it is just that....in that dress I wouldn't picture you as such a safe woman."

He obviously didn't know what pain I had to endure to get into the dress.

"And why is that?"

"Well." I surveyed him quickly, blue jeans, buttoned down polo...and I was the safe one?

"Cranberry juice means you don't drink alcohol."

I nodded.

"And there you go."

I laughed at that, "That was fast Mr. Smith."

"You know my name. Can I have yours?"

"Call me Beyonce."

"Haha, I would think there's another name better suited to you than that."

"Nia."

My cell phone buzzed in my hand.

"I would love to continue this conversation with you, but my cousin is asking about me."

I stood up and he did the same, almost abruptly.

"I hope to see you again soon."

I dazzled him with my rare toothy smile, "Maybe so."

He caught my hand as I walked and kissed it again.I blushed like a school girl and waved goodbye to him before going back into the cafe.