Читать книгу Love Has No Time or Place with Lola and Friends - VL Walters - Страница 9

Chapter 3

Nine o’clock loomed on the clock like a beacon coming to give notice. Toni was at the hostess station looking for a first glance of Sterling. As Lola approached her and Mason from the back, she saw him step inside after a group of couples came in.

Toni was greeting everyone with, “Good evening, everyone, welcome to Sandy’s.”

At that moment, Lola stepped in front of a chocolate dream. She said, “Good evening, Sterling, welcome to Sandy’s.”

He threw this wonderful smile after assessing her outfit, and said, “Good evening, Lola, thank you for having me.”

“Not a problem,” she said. “Trent will take your coat, and I will give you a tour of the place. But not before you meet Toni and Mason, our host and hostess for the evening.”

“Did I hear my name, Lola?” Toni asked.

Mason threw his eyes up and said, “Maybe.”

“Sterling, this is one of my dearest friends, Eurydice Toni Malone, known as Toni. Toni, this is Sterling Dane Stanton.”

“It is nice to meet you,” Toni said, “and this is Mason J. Parker.”

“Nice to meet you, man,” Mason said. The phone near Mason rang, and he handed it to Lola.

“Lola speaking.”

“Is he here?” her mother asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Okay, I will be peeking in a few.”

“Did you take care of that order?” Lola asked.

“Of course we did, you know your sister does not play. It seems they owe us a shipment that has been paid for in full. Go Misha!”

“My sister knows her stuff. Where is she? I want her to meet him.”

“She is heading your way right now.”

Misha appeared like a black jewel of the night, wearing a beautiful grey velvet dress that had a design shaped in a horseshoe in the front of the dress, and a drop-shaped backless back. Her hair was out and hanging straight down her back. She had completed the outfit with black velvet pumps with a silver grey pin on them. Misha could break down all of the vendors. She was Sandy’s secret weapon.

“Sterling, this is my sister, Misha Dominique Bridges. Misha, this is Sterling Dane Stanton.”

They exchanged handshakes.

“It is nice to meet you,” Misha said. “Is this your first time coming to Sandy’s?” she asked.

“No,” he said, “but it has been a while.”

“Then you are in for a treat. With the new facelift and the great show tonight, you should have a newfound memory of the place. It was nice meeting you, and I hope to see you again, enjoy yourself.” As she winked at Lola and started heading over to Bella at the bar.

As they turned to follow her in the same direction, Melinda and Sasha appeared.

“Sterling, here are two more of my dearest friends.” She introduced them and they started walking toward the bar. Lola noticed that Toni, Melinda, and Sasha were all huddled, like a serious conversation was going on. Eyebrows went up and winks exchanged as she turned and looked at them. Shameless hussies, Lola thought as she smiled to herself. She asked Sterling what his pleasure was that evening as Bella waited for his request.

“How about a rum and coke? What would you like?” he asked.

“A white wine for now.” Bella knew immediately which one Lola was referring to.

Lola asked, “Would you like to sit at the bar? Or would you like to take your drink and continue the tour? We can sit in the booth. I can point out the rest of the club.”

“The booth seems like a safer bet since your place is starting to get busy.”

Lola agreed. Once settled in the booth, she pointed out the different things added to the club’s facelift along with the restrooms and dining area. After she finished pointing out the different areas of the club, she turned back to Sterling to see him staring at her with a look of awe on his face.

“Did you pay attention to everything I just told you?” she asked.

“Yes, I paid attention, but the true beauty of the place is you. Lola, I do not know how to say this, except to say I am totally mesmerized being in your presence. This place is awesome, your sister and your friends bring a cool feeling to the place.”

“Thank you,” she said. “We try to make it a memorable night every night. Now it is time to get a menu out so you can decide on what grabs your taste buds. I have to check on the group since they will be performing soon. Showtime is ten o’clock and at twelve midnight,” Lola said.

Just like magic, Melinda appeared to take their order. “Oh, great,” Lola said, “I will have white turnips, barbeque pork shoulder, and sweet potatoes. Okay, I will be right back.”

As she stood, so did Sterling. She could not help but notice his perfectly correct etiquette. Nice, she thought. She made her way backstage. She knocked on the door and was greeted by welcome smiles.

“We love this room. So chill. How did you know we needed this after traveling?”

She smiled and said, “I had a feeling a large comfortable living room to plop down in is always the way to go.” Lola had the room painted in tranquil greens with sofas that encircled the room with fat pillow sofas. A mural of an exotic garden was hanging on one wall, and an artist guest list on the other wall was signed by many entertainers in gold ink on a deep green wall. There was an assortment of snacks, cold water, teas, and coffee so they could totally chill. The room also held a private bathroom, with a shower, and a dressing room. There was a small stage area, and a stereo system with cassette decks for sound checks all the comforts of home without a key.

“As long as you are all comfortable, I have to get back to my dinner guest. Looking forward to the show. It is starting to get crowded,” she said. “Toni will be in with the raffles for the first show.”

As she stepped out of the room, she immediately wondered what Sterling was thinking. Lola was happy to see that Melinda had kept him company, and had also brought him one of their famous appetizers. He stood up as soon as he saw her.

“Sterling, I hope that you chose something light for dinner, because my father’s famous stuffed shrimp can be quite filling.”

He smiled and said, “I had skipped lunch so I will eat only two. Melinda said that you love these and will help me eat them.”

Lola looked at her and smiled. Melinda then said, “I have to check on your orders and get back to Sasha. The place is really filling up for Roy Ayers.”

“I see,” Lola said. “It should be a wonderful night.” All the while, Lola could feel Sterling’s eyes on her. She turned to look at him as Melinda walked away.

He said, “Your friends are exotic creatures, and some awesome ladies. What a find! Sandy’s seems to hold a lot of special and hidden treasures.”

“Thanks for yet another compliment, I will let them know. So are you enjoying yourself so far?” she asked.

“Very much, Lola, very much,” he replied.

Ten o’clock loomed like a sparkling star. Lola had the honor to introduce their guests. Uncle Russell had surprised her with this during dinner. As he put it, “You fought tooth and nail, and finally your request was answered. It seems only fair,” as he winked and walked away.

Sterling was sitting there looking quite sated as she excused herself to do the intro. Sasha had checked the group to let them know it was show time. The curtain had been closed as they sat in their preferred places. Chris dimmed the lights to a blue and pink hue as Lola approached the microphone.

He gave the signal as she smiled at him and said, “Ladies and Gentleman, Sandy’s is pleased to see and have you as our guests this evening. We are also truly honored to have Roy Ayers and Friends performing here tonight. Without further delay, ladies and gentlemen, Roy Ayers and Friends.”

The crowd went wild as the curtain went up. They applauded for at least two minutes. It was on and popping. Roy performed the vibraharp with complete mastery. The group did not miss a beat. Melinda was spellbound as were Sasha, Bella, and Toni who just beamed. Misha was grooving with Sterling and Lola. The first show was off the hook.

The crowd went wild when they did “You Send Me.” Roy had announced that this was a personal request for Ms. Lola Bridges. Chris had the light fall on her table as this was announced. They tore it up. People were actually dancing. All you heard after the set was, “I am not leaving I am going to call Rob so he can come and see them.” The lines to the phones were off the chain. Lola had gone back to the group with the dessert cart and fresh beverages.

“How was that?” Roy asked.

“Like a heavenly dream.” Lola said. “People do not want to leave.”

“Again, many thanks, Lola, for having us. This was awesome.”

“No, thank you and enjoy. See you all at about twelve. Oh, by the way, my mom made all of the desserts chow.”

Lola returned to Sterling, and since Misha had him occupied, she went to check Toni and Mason.

“How did the raffle draw go?” she asked, approaching Mason.

“Pretty good. We have a winner. Toni will be announcing it in a few minutes.”

The winner had a free dinner for two, and a bottle of champagne, with a free show during the months of December and January, compliments of Sandy’s. Toni was saying it was a great night when her lover appeared at the door, looking like a model from a magazine cover. Unique James Goodwin was a good man that put sweet dreams in your mind when you came upon him. And he knew it; unfortunately, Toni knew this as well, and knew how to put the dreams out. He totally respected her, because she was not a fan she was his lady.

“Hey, Lola, how are you this evening?” he said.

“Fine,” she said, “Are you here for the second show?”

“Would not miss Roy for the world.” As she escorted him to his table, Lola saw Toni roll her eyes in his direction. It was obvious that she was not too happy to see him. Oh, well, Lola thought to herself, another drama is about to unfold.