Giving Summer a tight squeeze as she hugged her, Ginger sent Summer on her way to think things over.
Summer now referred to Ginger as her angel. At that time, all she could think about was how cold and uncaring Nick had treated her. She couldn’t understand how he’d just made love to her one week, then turn around and dump her the next week.
A lump formed in Summer’s throat as her mind traveled back to over a year and a half ago when she met him at a benefit to raise money for cancer awareness in the African American community sponsored by the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP.
The night they met was a beautiful, crisp, fall evening. Summer and her friends, Starr Avery and Ava Peretti were so excited about getting tickets to the benefit. Ava’s cousin, a disc jockey at the local R&B station was able to hook them up with tickets being they were staff nurses on an oncology unit at Thomas Jefferson Hospital. They could not believe the number of dignitaries, politicians and celebrities in attendance. “Tell me that is not Will over there,” Summer squealed.
Summer was gorgeous in a bronze, form fitting evening gown, with a V-shape bodice that dipped in the front, flaunting a curvaceous size six figure.
When Summer, Starr and Ava sauntered into the plush ballroom, several male eyes were drawn to the trio of gorgeous women.
As a waiter came by with a tray of sparkling white wine Summer grabbed a flute. “Mmmm, this is good,” she said savoring the taste of the sweet wine.
Giggling, Starr nudged Ava with her elbow. “You better watch her; she’s enjoying that bubbly a little too much. You know after two of those she’s gonna try to find the nearest corner to climb into to get her sleep on.”
Summer wasn’t the least offended by Starr making fun of her. It was true; the slightest bit of alcohol rocked her to sleep like a newborn baby. Summer’s face broke out into a lively grin as Ava pointed out, “Aw, leave her alone and let her get her drink on. Because you know we won’t be getting any tickets to this shindig next year.”
In unison the trio snapped their fingers and bobbed their heads. “I know that’s right! Haaaay!”
Realizing they were somewhat loud and now the center of attention from a small group of distinguished looking men who’d overheard their conversation, the young women eyed each other before breaking out into laughter. One of the men looked at them as if to say, “What are they doing here?”
Putting a manicured finger to her lips, Ava emphasized as she held her head high and pointed her nose in the air, making fun of the stiffs nearby. “Sssh. Let us conduct ourselves like highfalutin ladies” a wicked smile replaced the serious expression as she added, “of the night.”
The man nearly choked on whatever it was he was drinking.
This sent them into another fit of laughter. Summer nudged Ava, “Crazy, speak for yourself! I ain’t a lady of nobody’s night!”
“Ditto!” Starr screeched.
Summer and her friends were having a fabulous time as they chitchat and spotted the movers and shakers of the city. Summer declined every invitation to dance, whereas Ava and Starr got their jam on every chance the offer came their way, which was often. It wasn’t that Summer was stuck up or anything, she was just painfully shy when it came to men.
Coming off the dance floor, they returned to the spot where they’d left her standing.
“Girl, you better dance the next time a fine brotha comes over here. What’s the matter, your dance card all full with the invisible man as your partner?” Ava ribbed her.
Summer rolled her eyes. “You know I can’t dance, Av.”
Throwing a hand on her hip, Ava challenged. “Come on Summer, every black girl has a little bit of rhythm.”
Starr added her two cents by putting her thumb and forefinger close enough not to touch as she squinted her right eye. “Just a little bit.”
Sucking her teeth as she place an empty flute on a passing tray. “If MC Hammer one and two will excuse me, I have to go to the ladies’ room.”
As Summer turned to leave, a familiar face caught her eye. Looking over her shoulder while walking, she attempted to get Ava’s attention. That new cute doctor at the hospital Ava had the hots for was on the other side of the room. However, Ava was too engrossed in a conversation with a man she’d danced with earlier in the evening to notice Summer was trying to get her attention.
“I’ll tell her when I come back,” Summer mumbled low to herself.
Turning her head back around in the direction she was walking, Summer collided into what felt like a brick wall. She was startled not by the solid form in front of her blocking her view and path, but more by the chilled fluid rolling down her cleavage.