“Take a guess?”

  “Big or small?”

  “Small.”

  “Jewelry.”

  “You’re good.”

  She was smiling hard as hell. “A ring?”

  “Not quite.”

  Trey brought the package to the front where she could see it.

  “David Yurman.”

  “Yes.” Trey passed her the bag and she removed the two boxes. Inside she found two bracelets.

  She placed the boxes in front of the Sonicare toothbrush and leaped into his arms. He struggled to hold her, not because she was heavy, but because she surprised him. She planted kisses all over his face.

  When he released her, she embraced him again and said, “I love them.”

  “I’m glad”

  “Why’d you do it?”

  “I appreciate you.”

  “Awww.”

  She kissed him again and said, “So, are we official?”

  “What do you mean official?”

  “Are we a couple?”

  There was an awkward silence. Trey didn’t know how to answer her question but he could see how giving her gifts could relay that message.

  “So, I guess that means no?”

  “No…I mean that doesn’t mean no.”

  “So it means yes?”

  “No.”

  “What does it mean?”

  “It means we are adults. Do we really have to have labels? As long as I love you and you love me, what difference does it make?”

  “It means a lot. It means I’m in a relationship, and I will have certain boundaries that I don’t cross.”

  “I was in a relationship with Starr and I crossed boundaries with you. So saying that you’re in a relationship don’t mean shit.”

  “Can we ever have a conversation without you bringing that bitch up?”

  “Look, I’m sorry.”

  “No you’re not. I’m not stupid, Trey. That’s who you really want to be with.”

  Trey pulled Shantelle into his arms and said, “Don’t feel like that, baby. I want to be with you.”

  They kissed and he held her for a long time.

  Chapter 13

  Black and Sasha met at the Atlanta Bread Company. She ordered clam chowder and a cup of water. Black had a coke and a turkey sandwich. Sasha was looking spectacular as usual. She was wearing a high-waisted pencil skirt that made her waist look extra skinny and it was shellacked on her showing her curvy figure. Her hair was in a do that highlighted her face.

  Black watched her ass sway from side to side as he followed her, while carrying the food. Finally when they made it to the table pulled her chair out. After she was seated, he said, “You are fine as a motherfucker.”

  “Is that a compliment?”

  “Damn right it is.”

  She laughed. “You are too funny.” She stared at him and she could tell he wanted her. She felt a little horny too, but she was pressed for time; otherwise, it would be nothing to deep throat him in the backseat of her car.

  “So what’s up? How you been?” Black asked.

  “I made a list of the companies that I would like to seek franchise opportunities with.”

  “What are they, and how much is it going to cost?”

  She laughed and said, “The black man always wanting to know the bottom line.”

  “I don’t know about other black men, only this black man, and I need to know how much I’m spending.”

  “I feel you on that one.”

  Her phone rang and she said, “Excuse me, I gotta take this call.” She stood up and dipped into the ladies room. Five minutes later, she was back at the table.

  “Sorry about that,” she said.

  “Was that your boo?”

  “No actually it was my dad. Man, he’s getting on my nerves. He’s going to have another press conference and he wants me there to support him.”

  “A press conference?”

  “Yeah. Supposedly there’s some heroin on the street that’s killing people, and he, the police commissioner and the DEA are having a press conference.”

  “But didn’t they just have a press conference about that?”

  “They did. Just a few days ago and it’s really pissing me off because black people are dying off drugs and killing each other all the time; now, a few white people die, and it’s like we gotta do something about this. But when you’re in politics, you know how it goes. You move for the people with the money.”

  “He’s a puppet,” Black said.

  “Huh? Did you say my dad was a puppet?”

  Black sipped his coke and said, “Look, I’m sorry.”

  “No, it’s okay, I never thought about it like that, but I guess you’re right.”

  Black bit into the turkey sandwich. He knew damn well that this new heroin was not the same as before, but it carried the same name, and though it was killing people, the name was branded and that’s what people wanted because they believed it was the best.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about what you said.”

  “What part?”

  “Oh, the part about how now that white kids are OD’ing off heroin, all of a sudden, drugs are a priority for the city.”

  Sasha said, “Drugs are paradoxical for black people.”

  “Para what?”

  “What I mean is, black people want drugs off the streets but when we give the dealers a lot of time, we scream that it ain’t fair.”

  “True, but the time should fit the crime. I think that’s all black people want. I mean, don’t give me a hundred times more time than somebody else that does the same thing or worse.”

  “True.”

  “Let’s talk about something else.”

  “Have you ever done time?”

  Now this bitch was being nosey. He really didn’t want to answer the question, but hell, he was who he was.

  She was staring at him, waiting on him to answer.

  “Yes, I’ve been to school a time a two.”

  “School?”

  “People like you got schools like Spelman and Georgia Tech, and then there is people like me that attend other schools. You know the kind of schools where niggas don’t know what paradoxical mean.”

  She was laughing her ass off. “You are one funny dude.”

  “Let’s discuss business,” Black said.

  “I have a list of the franchises that we can decide on.”

  “What are they?”

  “Smoothie King, ColdStone and Wingstop which I think would do great in the Atlanta area.”

  “Okay, what will I need to come up with?”

  “I will let you know in a few days. Well, after we decide which one we’re going to pursue.”

  “One more thing, my sister will be your partner. She’s totally legit. Knows what paradoxical means and everything.”

  “Really?” Sasha eyed him like she didn’t believe a goddamned word he said.

  “Yes, she’s a physician’s assistant.”

  “A physician’s assistant or a medical assistant? There is a difference, you know?”

  Black laughed and said, “Man, you trying to play me. I know the difference. My sister is right under a family practitioner.”

  “So she’ll be my partner on paper.”

  “Absolutely.”

  Sasha’s phone rang. It was her dad again. She stood up from the table and said, “I gotta go get ready for this damn press conference.”

  Chapter 14

  Craig: Can you get me three more grams?

  Jada: Are you kidding me?

  Craig: I need them like yesterday. Can you help me or not?

  Jada called him and he picked up right away.

  “Why are you texting me this bullshit over my phone. I’ve told you this over and over. Plus, you told me your wife had some kind of tracking device on your goddamned phone. I don’t want to be dragged into your divorce proceedings. I don’t want my motherfucking name to come up. Is that clear?”

  “Look Jada, I’m sorry, but I need to see you. Can we meet up?”

  “No, I’m busy.”

  “Okay, you’re too busy for me?”

  “Look, I’ve just moved into my new place and I was getting everything situated. Unpacking and stuff.”

  “I can come over.”

  “No.”

  “Why? You don’t want me to know where you live, huh?”

  “Do I know where you and your wife live?”

  “Look, she kicked me out of the house, so I’m living in a hotel. I told you that.”

  “I can’t meet up with you.”

  “Well, you told me if I needed the money that I gave you, that you would give it back. Well, I need it back.”

  “Can it wait till in the morning?”

  “No. I have a proposition.”

  “What kind of proposition? I’m not fucking you for money. I’m not a goddamned prostitute. You need to call Skyy for that.”

  “Not that kind of proposition.”

  “Why don’t you just say it?”

  “I would, but you get all weirdabout cell phones.”

  Jada took a deep breath. She really didn’t want to leave the house and she knew Shamari would be back soon. Even though they weren’t officially together, she didn’t want him to be giving her the side eye.

  “Look, I can meet you for thirty minutes then I gotta go. Where are you?”

  “I’m at the Days Inn on Spring Street. Can you come here?”

  “No. Let’s meet at Cheetah’s.”

  “Perfect.”

  Janelle Monae’s “Prime Time” played as they sat at a table next to the stage. A scrawny-ass black girl in a neon green thong and tits that looked like they belonged to a thirteen year old, danced on stage. Craig was admiring the woman and Jada said, “You like that?”

  “No, I just like the way she’s dancing.”

  “The girl looks like a fucking adolescent teenage boy. But you will fuck anything.”

  Craig smirked but didn’t respond. There was no time to argue with her, he had more important matters.

  “So, tell me, good doctor?”

  “Tell you what?”

  “Tell me what the fuck was so important that I had to run out of my house?”

  “I need a fix.”

  “But you said you wanted the money back and by the way I didn’t bring it.”

  “It’s okay, but can you get me something to snort?” He sniffled and snot was now on his upper lip.

  “Clean your nose.”

  He scooped a napkin from the table and dabbed his nose.

  “I’m not going to get you any more coke. Fuck that! You can get high, but you’re going to have to get high on your own. I’m not going to be the one that helps.”

  “Okay.”

  The scrawny girl stepped off the stage and approached the table and hugged Craig.

  “Hey, handsome. You want a dance?” the girl asked.

  “Not right now. Come back in a few moments.”

  When the woman was gone, Jada said, “Why didn’t you get a dance? I saw you looking at her.”

  “With what?”

  “You want coke. Where were you going to get the money from?”

  “I was hoping you could get it for me.”

  “Are you fucking serious?”

  “Very.”

  “Look, I cannot believe you’re that broke.”

  “I have a little bit, but my wife is trying to take all of my goddamned money. Can you believe she just told the judge that she can’t live off eleven thousand dollars a month? She wants sixteen thousand.”

  “What?”

  “That bitch just wants to take everything I have. She wants to leave me with nothing.”

  “Damn.”

  “I’m selling two of my cars tomorrow. I need some money.”

  Jada flagged the waitress, and then asked for a Ciroc and Coke.

  “So what did you want with me?”

  “I don’t know. I was thinking I could do some more work on your boyfriend’s face. Give him a brow lift maybe some fillers. To make him even more un-recognizable.”

  “He’s not going to go for that, and I don’t like the way he looks now.”

  “You didn’t think it was good work?”

  “It was great work, but I don’t like him looking like that. I liked him better when he looked rugged.”

  “But he’s friggin hiding.”

  “I guess.”

  The waitress dropped the drink and Jada took a sip and said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think we can help you with that.”

  “What about the rhinoplasty you wanted?”

  “I decided I don’t need one,” Jada said. “Wait a goddamned minute! What’s going on with your business? Why are you trying to get side business?”

  “Well, my partner is counting every goddamned coin that comes into the account.”

  “So, you want to do some work under the table?”

  “Exactly.”

  “There is nothing I can do for you,” Jada sipped her drink. “Did you ask Skyy to get some of her stripper friends?”

  “Most strippers are broke, you know that.”

  “You ain’t lying.”

  The scrawny bitch was eyeing them from across the room, looking desperate for a dance. Jada waved her over, handed her a twenty, and said, “Give him a dance, honey.”

  JheneAiko’s “Comfort Inn” was playing. Jada’s mind was racing, trying to think of someone who might need some under-the-table work. Lani’s view on surgery was that she would have it after kids. Jada doubted Starr would want any surgery. She was stacked like a brick house, naturally. The skinny bitch finished dancing and asked Jada if she wanted a dance.

  “Gain a few more pounds, sweetheart.”

  The woman frowned and thanked Craig.

  Jada said, “I’m the one that paid for the dance, skinny bitch.”

  When the woman was gone, Jada said, “I’ve been thinking, and there is nobody I can think of that would need your services right now.”

  Craig’s face got serious. “Can I help your boyfriend in some capacity?”

  “Huh? What the fuck did you say?”

  “Can I help Shamari?”

  “Help him how? I already told you, he’s not going to get any more surgery.”

  “No, I didn’t mean like that.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “I was thinking I could be a mule.”

  Jada spit her drink out thinking about him being a drug runner. “First of all, who uses those terms except the goddamn police?” She was laughing her ass off thinking of his corny ass trying to traffic drugs.

  “No seriously, I could bring the drugs back. Look at me? Who would think of stopping me? I’m a middle aged, professional, white male. No cop is going to stop me.”

  She looked at him seriously and said, “This ain’t Breaking Bad, white boy. This is serious and you will go directly to prison if you get caught. You need to reconsider it.” She sipped her drink and said, “Actually, you need to find you a twelve-step program. Get your ass clean and then get back to being the top plastic surgeon in Atlanta.” She looked at the snot crawling down his nose again. “You have fell way off.”

  “I hear you and I do want to get myself clean, but that doesn’t take away the fact that I need some money now, Jada. I don’t think I will get caught.”

  “But if you do?”

  “It’s not going to happen.”

  “But if it does?”

  “If I get caught, I’ll take my licks.”

  “This ain’t grade school. There will be no licks. There will be time.”

  “I understand.”

  “But he’s not going to go for it because you have a habit.”

  “What does that have to do with anything? And he doesn’t have to know.”

  Jada passed him a napkin and said, “Wipe your nose again, please.”

  Craig cleaned his nose and said, “Are you saying that I would steal something from him?”

  “Fuck no! I’m not saying that at all. Just saying you’ll get pulled because your nose is running like a goddamn faucet.”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  “Look, I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t think he’s going to go for it. He don’t like you. He don’t trust you.”

  “I understand that, but he’s a business man and as a business man you have to put your emotions aside.”

  “I’ll ask him.”

  “That’s all I’m asking. It’s worth a try.”

  Jada stood up and was about to leave when he asked, “Can you bring me a gram back?”

  Jada said, “You need to stop your nose from bleeding.”

  He dabbed his nose with thenapkin as Jada made her way to the exit. When she looked back, the skinny bitch was on his lap rubbing his back.

  *****

  Shamari had unpacked most of the boxes, set up the bed, and hung the bedroom TV when Jada arrived home. Jada sensed that Shamari thought he would be moving in. While she didn’t mind him staying for a while, she would have to make it clear that this was not his home. She would do anything she could to help him, but he was wanted by the Feds. When she entered the bedroom, he looked up.

  “Hey, baby,” he said.

  They kissed briefly.

  Jada said, “Have a seat. I need to ask you something.”

  He looked at her and said, “I think I know what it is and I don’t plan on being here long. I love you, Jada and I always will, but I know that the Feds are after me and that’s not your problem. Even though I have a new face, my fingerprints are the same and I still have tattoos that they can identify me with.”

  Jada smiled and said, “Well, I’m glad to know you love me and that you’re thinking about me.”

  “Is that what you wanted to talk about? Me leaving?”

  “Well, I was going to have that talk eventually.”

  “Look, you don’t have to explain. You’ve done enough for me.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Plus, I don’t want you to get a harboring a fugitive charge on you. You were my girlfriend. It’s just a matter of time before they come here.”

  “Ok, but that’s not what I wanted to talk about.”

  He looked confused.

  “I wanted to ask you how you were transporting your work.”