Zhi was happy to let Lark talk while he pondered the contradiction of DJ Spin d’Elle.
Elle. It was a pretty name. He wondered if it was hers. It didn’t suit her.
He knew so little about the woman. But again, she didn't know the whole truth about him. Still, he felt like she knew him best in the world at the moment.
In the rearview mirror, their silent communication continued. Spin rolled her eyes at one particular story of Lark's. Zhi raised his brow at another story that was particularly incriminating about the two women. Spin narrowed her gaze as though to say she'd neither confirm or deny the tale.
"When are you two headed back?" he said. “Not that I’m kicking you out. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”
"I need to get back by Wednesday,” Lark answered. “I have a show Thursday.”
"So, you'll stay another night?" Zhi asked.
"We can't impose on you," said Spin.
"It's no imposition at all. We all love having you, especially my mother. She doesn't get out much with ... my father being ill."
Zhi’s gaze darted to Lark. There was a question on her brow, but she didn’t ask it. So, Spin had kept his secret, even from her closest friend. He felt humbled that he’d gained her loyalty in such a short time.
"We're here," said Spin, her gaze out the window.
Even though it wasn’t’t technically open yet, there was a line snaked around the corner of Omar's club. Zhi turned his car over to the valet. Before he could reach for the back door, Spin had already alighted from the car. He narrowed his eyes at her, but she shrugged and moved past him. Zhi went around and handed Lark out.
"Don't mind her," said Lark. "She thinks chivalry is an 80's band."
Zhi chuckled and offered his arm for Lark. She took it gratefully. They came up to Spin in the line.
"You're welcome to wait in the line,” he said to her. “Or you can take my arm and go inside."
Spin huffed out a breath and crossed her arms. Zhi shrugged and turned on his heel with Lark. As they approached the front of the line, he felt Spin's hand on his arm. Again, his body went alive at her touch.
"This is total elitism," she muttered.
They entered the club. Strobe lights nearly blinded Zhi. The base pulsed through him. But it didn't cause an immediate headache. He was able to pick out the various parts of the beat this time, all because of his time making music with the woman at his right arm.
Looking down at Spin, he saw that light in her eyes. The one where she was clearly enjoying the music. Already getting lost in it. He wanted to go there with her, but someone came into his view.
"You guys made it."
Zhi tore his gaze away from Spin t
o find Parker coming toward them. Parker pulled everyone in for a hug, starting with Spin. When she opened her arms for Zhi, he went to her. Parker was thin in his arms, and warm, but there was no fire of electricity. At least not at the moment.
"Isn't this amazing?" Parker said when she pulled away.
"Yeah, it's pretty lit." Zhi snuck a sideways glance at Spin.
She gave him one of her half smiles of approval.
"It's PLUR all over the place here,” he went on.
An elbow to his ribs shut his mouth. The look on Spin’s face clearly told him that he was now overdoing it. So, he shut his pie hole.
"You're looking pretty fly there, your dukeness.” Parker ran a hand down his shirt sleeve.
"Thank you," he said. "You're looking pretty dope yourself."
“Come join us. We're over here."