Free All Up In My Business by Lutishia Lovely

menu. Zoe swayed from side to side as the Commodores serenaded her with sweet love, followed by a love ballad from L.T.D. She’d narrowed her choices down to two when someone came up behind her and whispered in her ear.
    “The greens are good, but be careful of the cabbage. … I’m just sayin’.”
    Zoe smiled. “You know you better keep your
sauce
out my shit,” she whispered in an equally conspiratorial tone. “What you still doing here, girl?”
    Chardonnay waved at one of her regular customers. “Workin’ a double for someone who called in sick.”
    “I’m trying to decide between Marvin’s Mellow Meat Loaf and the Tempting Temptations T-Bone.”
    “The meat loaf, hands down. Chef put his foot in it today, real talk. Plus, that special comes with three sides.”
    “Dang, my mouth is already watering.”
    “I’m getting ready to take my break. So I’ll go ahead and put in the order with Chef, tell him to hold it for ten, and then you can join me in the parking lot for a cigarette.”
    “Bet. Hook me up with the greens, fried potato salad, and, of course, the mac and cheese. Oh, and add a slice of that sweet potato pie.”
    A couple minutes later, Zoe and Chardonnay sat in Zoe’s Toyota Camry, puffing on Newports. “It’s hot as Hades out here!”
    “Yeah, they say this is going to be the hottest August Atlanta has seen in a long time.”
    “Sure feels like it.” Zoe took a drag from her borrowed cigarette. Her New Year’s resolution had been to quit smoking, but so far she’d only managed to quit buying her own. “Shyla been back?”
    “Naw, that skank ain’t been back in here. But this fine brother walked up in here today. His name’s Q. He’s a personal trainer and also owns a gym.”
    “What, you’re getting ready to start exercising?”
    “Yes, but probably not in the way you mean.”
    “Ha! You’re a mess, girl.”
    “Uh-huh. Toussaint’s been back, too, with another heifah on his arm.”
    “That boy has a woman for every day of the week.”
    “Shit, I wouldn’t mind a day of the week with his fine ass.” Chardonnay took a long pull off her Newport, followed by a swig of cola.” But you were probably right with what you said. Brothah like him would never look twice at a chick like me.”
    “C’mon now, I didn’t mean that in a bad way. I was just saying—”
    “You don’t have to explain that shit,” Chardonnay interrupted.“I know I’m not high black society, model material, rich or whatever. I know I’m a single mother with two bad-ass kids by two different fathers. But my pussy is still tight, and I can rival a video vixen when it comes to giving head. So don’t count me out. ‘Cause no matter what circle you travel in, an expert blow job is clout all day long.”
    “You’re good peeps, Chardonnay. And one of these days a brothah’s gonna see that.”
    At that precise moment, the back door to the restaurant opened and Bobby strolled out. He looked rugged and work-ready in a cool white top and loose jeans.
    “Aw, hell,” Chardonnay said. “Here comes trouble.”
    Zoe watched as Bobby approached. She took in his plain facial features while noting his tight, albeit thin, body and the muscles evident through his sleeveless white tee.
There’s something about him
…
    “What’s up, ladies?” Bobby said once he’d reached the car and Zoe had rolled down the window on Chardonnay’s side. “Tobacco all y’all smokin’?”
    “What else would I be smoking with three more hours on my shift?” Chardonnay shot back. “You one ignorant-ass mutha—”
    “What’s that tattoo on your arm?” Zoe interrupted, overriding Chardonnay’s insult.
    “Aw, that’s in memory of my moms. She loved flowers, roses especially. When she died a few years ago, I got this rose,” he said, turning to show off the tattoo more effectively, “with the sun in the background on account of how she was the sunshine of my life. And then the cross running through it is because