“Carmen?” Porsche said looking strangely. “Carmen Taylor! What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you, Porsche.”
“For me? You're looking good, Carmen. Sit down, what you drinking?”
“Bacardi on the rocks.”
“Reggie, get her a Bacardi on the rocks and bring me another double. So how you been, Carmen?”
“I'm good, Porsche. How you doing?”
“I'm doing better, Carmen. But you, looking so good,” Porsche commented staring at Carmen. She exhaled deeply and shook her head. “I tell you what, you are the last person I was expecting to see, and looking for me. First of all, how did you find me here?”
“Denny told me you'd be here.”
“What you looking for me for?”
“I wanted to talk to you about Dez.”
“What about Dez?”
“I wanted to know if you talked to her anytime before she died?”
“No, Carmen. I hadn't talked to Dez for a couple of month before she died. We didn't fall out or anything like that. I was going through some shit. But I'm doing better now.”
“What was wrong?”
“Hitting that pipe, Carm. That rock had me fucked up for a while. Had to go to rehab. That's where I met Denise.”
“Who's Denise?”
“Simone. The one dancing on stage now.” Carmen turned to look. “If Denny told you I'd be here, I know he told you what I was doing. How is Denny anyway?”
“He's doing fine.”
“Tell him I said hey.”
“Can you think of anybody else she might have talked to before she died?”
“Dez kept her personal business to herself. Only other person Dez really talked to was Suzanne and she's dead too. I'm sorry I'm not any help, Carmen,” Porsche said as Simone joined them at the bar and kissed Porsche on the cheek. “You know, if there was something I could tell you about Dez, Carmen, I would,” Porsche said with tears in her eyes. “I loved Desireé. I miss her so much, Carmen. I know you miss her, too.” Porsche hugged Carmen and Simone smiled at her. “I gotta go girl, but I'd like to get together sometime before you leave. How long are you staying?”
“I might be here for a while.”
“Where are you staying?”
“I'm moving to an apartment in Virginia Highlands tomorrow.”
r /> Porsche handed Carmen a card. “That's my number, Carmen. Call me soon. It was so good seeing you again,” she said hugging Carmen again and kissing her near the lips, before she walked off. Simone winked at Carmen and followed Porsche into the dressing room. Carmen stood at the bar for a second before finishing her drink and rejoining Marcus.
“You ready to go?” she asked and Marcus stood up, finished his drink, and followed Carmen out the door. Once they were out of the club and in the car, Carmen turned to Marcus, “Maybe it's my imagination, maybe not, but I think I was just propositioned on the down low.”
“You girls were looking quite chummy over there, with all that kissing and hugging y'all were doing.”
“I'm surprised you noticed.”
“What's that supposed to mean?” Marcus turned on the radio and started to move to the beat.
“You were practically drooling over Simone. But I don't think you're her type. Not the way she kissed Porsche and kept winking at me. I thought something was in her eye.”