Star Struck(20)

“Last time I checked you weren’t my daddy.”

He held up the glass. “Go ahead. Bottoms up.”

Trevon and Shareeka stood in front of the room before Hailey could respond. She ignored the drink and turned her attention on the couple. The band stopped playing music. The band leader handed a microphone to Trevon. The noise level around them died down.

“I want to thank you all for coming tonight to share with us as we celebrate our upcoming nupitials.”

Hailey wanted to puke as Shareeka smiled and seemed to hold on to Trevon’s arm a little too tight.

Shareeka took the microphone from him. “We know that this last minute engagement party is coming a little late with the wedding not far off, but we just wanted to show our appreciation for you all.”

Cheers were heard around the room. Hailey took the glass that was sitting in front of Garrett and gulped down the contents. She ignored his concerned look.

“The food is ready, so eat up and let’s party,” Trevon said.

“I’m not having buffet style at my party,” Hailey stated as Garrett helped her stand up.

Her head was feeling a little woozy. Maybe she should have listened to Garrett and not drank that last glass. She leaned on the chair for a few seconds to catch her balance.

“Are you okay?” Garrett asked.

“Oh, I’m fine.”

She smiled and spoke to people as they made their way to the buffet line. She did her best to stand up straight and not wobble. Garrett’s hand on her back seemed to hold her up.

Garrett said, “Why don’t you go back to the table and I’ll bring you a plate?”

“I’m better.” Something tugged at her heart when she heard the concern in his voice.

After piling some of everything on their plates, they returned to their table. Hailey wasn’t too thrilled to see Trevon and Shareeka sitting at their table. Every time she took a bite, she felt eyes on her.

Garrett’s gesture of feeding her seemed to turn things up a notch. She took the opportunity to feed Garrett too. They giggled and wiped each other’s mouths with one another’s napkins as if feeding each other was a normal thing.

She could feel the tension at the table. If it wasn’t Shareeka looking at them; Trevon was sneaking a peek. It seemed they were so concerned about her and Garrett, that neither one of them barely touched a thing on their plates.

Garrett said, “I have to hand it to you, the food is good.”

“Thanks,” the couple said in unison.

Hailey added, “Yes. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

“I didn’t think models ate real food,” Shareeka commented.

“Well this model does,” Hailey responded.

“You are a little beefy,” Shareeka said, while placing her hand on top of Trevon’s arm.

Hailey rolled her eyes. “I’ve been blessed with good genes. I’ve been told I could afford to gain a few more pounds.”

Shareeka grunted. “I thought models had to be no bigger than a hundred pounds.”

Garrett intervened. “She gets finer and finer every time I see her.” He kissed her on the cheek.

“Just like my sweetie,” Trevon said.

Shareeka looked disappointed when Trevon didn’t show any other type of emotional gesture.

Hailey smiled. “If you were a little taller, you could have been a model.”

“She’s my model. Isn’t that right baby?” Trevon said.

Hailey added, “I mean with a few cosmetic changes. I could see you gracing a few covers.”

Garrett placed his arm around Hailey’s chair. “You both are beautiful just the way you are.”

“Exactly. Let’s talk about something else,” Trevon said, as he squeezed Shareeka’s hand.

Hailey looked at Garrett and before she could lose her nerve, she planted a kiss on his smooth chocolate lips.



~ 13 ~



Garrett was caught by surprise as he felt a jolt run through his body when Hailey’s lips connected with his. He was no longer pretending. Hailey was getting to him in more ways than one. He had to get a grip on his hormones. This was no longer a game to him. He wanted Hailey and he wanted her badly. His friendship with Trevon was the farthest thing from his mind.

Trevon cleared his throat several times. “Excuse us, but there are more people at the table than you two.”

Hailey used her fingers to wipe the red lipstick from his lips. Tasty was what he thought of her. “Sorry Tre. Garrett’s just tasty.”

Garrett twinged. It was like Hailey was reading his mind.

Shareeka said, “Tre, why didn’t you tell me Garrett and Hailey were dating?”

Tre stuttered, “Maybe because I didn’t know.”