by Kayla Perrin
Jay shook Naderia loose from Vivian and shot her a warning look. To Vivian, he asked, “When did this come up?”
“Does everyone know you?” Destinee gave Vivian a questioning look.
“Well,” Vivian said, gathering her bag. “We met tonight. They’re all really cute couples. I’m the odd man out here, so I’m going to say good night. It was nice meeting you all. Take care,” she told them, and could barely get her foot in her leg warmer before making a break for the door. Well-wishers delayed her escape, but as graciously as she could, she finally got out of the building.
She was Naderia’s friend? Hell had frozen over.
In the parking lot, she lost her bearings, forgetting where she’d parked. Walking up the aisles looking for her car, she hurried before tears exploded all over the parking lot.
She could hear Jay calling her, but she couldn’t turn around. He’d see her pain and her fury. But most of all he’d see her jealousy.
Hurrying to her car, she shoved the key in the door and tried to open it. The key didn’t move, but she kept wiggling it, wishing the lock would give before Jay caught up to her.
“Will you please wait? Vivian, I know you’re angry.”
“Out of all of you, Naderia is the only one who spoke up and claimed me as a friend? How pathetic is that?”
“Vivi, baby?”
“I’m not your baby!”
“Since when?”
“Since you decided not to claim me. You let your fake girlfriend have me first.”
“She’s manipulative and you know that. After she said that, didn’t you see everyone’s face? Here we are trying to keep up this lie for Destinee, and then Naderia goes and tells this whopper. Nobody wants to tell more lies just to keep up one lie. Plus, the dance is still supposed to be a surprise for the bride and groom, remember? And will you stop trying to break into this car? It isn’t yours.”
Freezing, Vivian looked inside the car and saw that it was spotless. Her car, on the other hand, was full of dance clothes, magazines and shoes.
Pissed, she scurried past him, and he caught her arm.
“You didn’t claim me, Jay. I want a man who wants me.”
“I do want you. I was just surprised. I’ll go back inside right now and blow all this out the water, if it’ll mean you’ll stop being angry with me.”
“No. I want to go home. Where’s my car?”
“At the studio. You rode with me. Come on.”
“What about the others?”
“They’re getting a ride with Destinee.”
“What does she think is going on?”
“She thinks we’re planning a surprise shower for her.”
“This is all too weird,” Vivian said, getting into his SUV. “I can’t do this in the name of false appearances. This is crazy. And she kissed you! Oh, my goodness. I can’t do this.”
“What? Fight for me?”
“Exactly, Jay. Women kissing you. You letting it happen. What if I let Terico kiss me on the lips?”
“Then it happens, Vivi. I would expect in your business that you would, from time to time, kiss someone on the lips. But it’s the intent behind it. We all know Naderia is out of her mind. I’ve denied it so often. I would think that you know that she would do anything to drive a wedge between us.”
“What us, Jay? As far as she’s concerned, I’m just your dance teacher. You’re paying me to teach you to dance and nothing more.”
“Everyone can tell there’s something between us.”
“Everyone but you. I’m not a groupie or a fan of yours. I’m a real woman who exists in the real world. Men don’t kiss me on the lips when I belong to someone else. Not in my world. And they damn sure don’t kiss my man on the lips, either. Until you get that straight, among other things, you belong to the world and not to me.”
Chapter 12
Jay finished shooting promos at 6:00 p.m. and was glad to leave work. He headed for Chow Baby on Ponce near the old City Hall East. Sitting down, he drank his black rum straight.
The man who sat beside him smelled of Usher’s new cologne.
“You need to grow up. You been wearing that scent too long,” Jay told his best friend, Troy.
Troy ordered from the waiter. “Patron straight.” The drink arrived and he sipped the shot then threw it back. They ordered again, and their plates arrived. They began eating.
“What’s your problem?” Troy asked Jay.
Troy was a big man at six feet four inches, 260 pounds, and nobody messed with him. He was an attorney moving quietly up through the district attorney’s office, but he had a sixth sense when it came to his friends. “You’ve been acting funny and last night at the rehearsal dinner, you acted like you wanted to bounce Naderia on her head.”
“I’m seeing somebody, and Naderia got in the way. We’re not together, we haven’t been but we’re keeping up appearances for Destinee’s sake. That’s about to ruin me. I could’ve lost someone very special.”
“Then don’t. Destinee can’t dictate your life. This wedding is about to kill me. She’s emotional and upset. What should be a happy time is turning into a war, and it’s all because she’s pregnant.”
Jay choked on his rum and Troy pounded him on the back. “Not Ms. Goody Two-shoes Destinee.”
“Hey, we’re very happy. We could have timed this a bit better, but she’s only about a month along.”
Jay laughed, staring at his friend. “Congratulations, man. And here I was so worried about offending her. No lie. I was truly scared that she’d be angry that I don’t want anything to do with Naderia.”
Troy threw up his hands. “Man, get her crazy butt up the aisle, and as far as I’m concerned, you don’t even have to touch her walking out of the church. Your job is done.”
Jay dropped his head in shock. “No dance at the reception?”
The big man’s entire body shook. “Man, have we rehearsed a dance? I can’t dance. We decided on a family dance so everyone can participate.” Troy made the sign of the cross. “Man, you’re free. Do your thing. Hey, bring your girl to the islands. I’d like to meet her. What’s her name?”
“Vivian. She’s in New York right now, but I want her with me for the wedding. I think I can get her to come, but I have my work cut out for me.”
After Troy climbed into a taxi and Jay into Ashton’s car, he called Vivian and prayed she’d answer. Her phone went straight to voice mail, which never used to happen. “Vivian, baby, please answer the phone.”
The phone buzzed in his ear while he was leaving the message. “Hello?”
“Hi, it’s me.”
After three days of not talking to Vivian, her voice hit his chest heavily. Fuzzy from the rum, he sat forward and put his hand on his head. “Baby, how are you? How are the auditions?”
“Good. Okay. I’m still in the running.”
She didn’t sound hopeful or happy.
“Are you okay?”
“No, Jay. Everyone is younger than me. They’re more limber and more exciting. I thought my dance was great and theirs are better.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t know what I was thinking. Oh, my...” He heard her tears, and he closed his eyes at her anguish.
“Vivian, you can’t give up. You’re a champion.”
“Am I?” Even her sniffles broke his heart.
“Yes, baby. You’re stunning. Experience is the best thing you have over them. You’re going to get this, and you’re going to be amazing.”
“Voice call back for Franklin. Franklin?” The woman’s voice in the background said she was tired, too.
He signaled for Ashton to turn the truck around. Ashton looked at him like he was crazy.
“Baby, go and be amazing. Call me tonight if you want to talk. I’ll be up all night
.”
“Okay, bye,” she said, and her phone went dead.
“I’m going to Hartsfield-Jackson airport.”
“You’re seriously going to New York? Are you even thinking straight?”
“Yes,” he said, dialing the travel agent the company used. He specified what he needed and got a flight within ten minutes.
“What about the segment tomorrow?”
“I expect you’re going to shoot it with a guest host while I’m out with strep throat. You’ll wish me a speedy recovery.”
Ashton started grinning like a fool and pounding on the steering wheel. “You’re sick. That’s awesome, man. I’m the lead.”
“Hey,” Jay snapped, getting his attention. “Don’t get comfortable in my chair.”
Ashton let him out at the departure gate. “Naw, man, of course not. I’m just keeping it warm. Safe travels.” His exultant scream out the window as he drove away wasn’t lost on Jay who dashed into the airport.
Jay checked in, bought a power cord for his phone and checked his email on his computer. No messages from Vivian. Hopefully everything was going well.
He’d been booked into a nice executive hotel, and he texted Vivian that his phone would be off for a few hours. Landing in New York, the weather was much cooler than Atlanta, but it was a little late to shop, so he hit the stores in the airport, buying only what was needed for an impromptu trip. He turned on his phone and received a message from Vivian that she was turning in early. He called her but she didn’t answer.
Unwilling to have come to New York for nothing, he texted, asking for her address and she finally replied, but said that she was going to bed early and that she would call him in a day or two.
He hopped into a taxi for the ride to Vivian’s walk-up.
Chapter 13
Tapping on the door drove Vivian to throw her sneaker at it. “Go away, you idiots!”
Music pounded from the studio apartment above her, and the dancers below her were having a smoke out. All she wanted to do was sleep, but she couldn’t do anything but cry. “The kids” were tormenting her again tonight. Many of them had been eliminated from auditions, but they’d paid their rent through the end of the week, so they were staying and didn’t care that she needed her rest. The rent was three hundred dollars for seven days, but it was the best deal in town.
The pounding intensified, and she got her bat and approached the door. Tonight she was taking off heads. Snatching the door open, the bat raised, she braced to swing.
“Baby,” Jay said.
Seconds of silence hung between them. Was Jay really here...in New York?
“I was just looking at you on my phone.”
He stepped toward her and gently took the bat. “Get your stuff for tomorrow. We’re leaving.”
Vivian went to the foldout bed she slept on and sat down. She slipped her feet into her shoes and put her coat on, rolling a scarf around her neck. Jay was really here. The truth was sinking in and her heart was beginning to race.
“Jay?”
“Yes, baby?”
“You’re really here in New York, right?”
“That’s right.” He pointed at her dance bag she was hauling to her shoulder, but pulled it over his instead. “You don’t need anything else?”
She shook her head.
Stepping into the hallway, she used the key she kept around her neck and laced her hand through his. “Are you staying far away?”
“No.”
Jay looked so good. Vivian hadn’t known how much she’d missed him. His hand was warm and his body was solid and she couldn’t wait to take a bath and be next to him. He came all this way to be with her. He was her guy.
In the taxi, she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. He felt so good. She wished this feeling could last forever.
“Vivi, we’re here.”
Opening bleary eyes, she stared up at the hotel. She looked down at herself and then at him. “I can’t go in there with you. It’ll be a Pretty Woman moment if I ever saw one.”
Jay nuzzled her cheek and kissed her. “I do not give a damn. You are my woman, and we are going into the hotel. Now get out.”
Hustling her from the taxi, they walked inside hand in hand.
Check-in was far less eventful than Vivian had envisioned as there were more exciting guests in the lobby. Jay and Vivian were escorted to their suite, and Vivian’s jaw dropped at the beautiful skyline. “This place is incredible. How much is this?”
“Three ninety-five a night.”
“I’m paying three hundred a week!” she exclaimed as Jay set their bags down and walked toward her.
“That place is a dump. You shouldn’t be there.”
“That’s all I can afford with my mortgage at home and the studio. I have to be realistic.”
“You’ve got dark circles under your eyes.”
Vivian pulled her jacket closed around her body. “I’m sorry I’m not as pretty as you’re used to, but it’s grueling here.” Tears gathered in her eyes. She was so near the breaking point, if she moved a toe she’d fall over.
He gathered her to him. “You’re still beautiful to me.”
“I’m not,” she whispered. “If I don’t get this, I’ll be a huge failure.” Her defenses began to crumble. Jay let her cry it out on his shoulder. When she was done, he was still holding her, rocking her, still ever-positive Jay.
“Come on now. You’re tired. I’m taking a shower. Wanna come?”
She caressed his cheek. “That’s the best offer I’ve had all week.”
They showered, and Vivian washed her hair in fragrant soap and warm water. This was the first time in a week the water had been hot. She dressed in a brand-new T-shirt Jay had bought, and when she came out of the bathroom, the sheet was to his waist, and there was a spread of wine, fruit and tiny sandwiches on a tray on the bed.
Vivian ate until she was full, then she sat at the foot of the bed facing Jay, moisturizing her dry legs. His eyes lit up like Christmas-tree lights.
Jay removed the tray of food from the bed. Then he took the lotion and squirted it into his hand. He removed her T-shirt and smoothed it over her skin. She reached for him and admired the power in his arms, the muscles and tendons, the beat of his heart in his sculpted chest, and the strength in his hips and legs. He lifted her with one arm and she moved with him, peppering him with affectionate kisses. She’d missed him, and she didn’t know if she could be away from him again. Desperation flooded her and she clasped his neck, pulling him to her.
Jay collapsed on top of her and he rolled them to their sides, and looked at her. “Hey,” he whispered. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Okay. I don’t want you to.”
“You’re really close to your dream. Baby, it’s coming.”
She nodded.
He was at her opening and her body welcomed him. They both smiled, kissing.
“Hi,” he said, kissing her.
“Hi.” She kissed him back.
Their movements were slow and passionate, their lips meeting as often as their sex joined. Jay lay her on her side and curled his body around hers, entering her from behind. His body claimed hers, and she gasped with each thrust until she could hold back no longer and let her body sail free.
Jay needed her to face him, and she knew his favorite position. She turned in his arms, and straddled him. His smile was sleepy and sexy. “Oh, Vivi, I’m in love with you.”
“Say that when you’re not buried in me,” she teased, bouncing up and down on him. She held her breasts, his hands on her waist as he aimed for Nova Scotia inside her body.
“Give it to me, baby,” she begged him.
“I’m coming,” he said, and sat up, grabbing her as he throbbed, growling throu
gh his climax.
Holding him, Vivian knew that she wanted to hold him forever. She heard his even breathing and looked down. He’d fallen asleep inside her.
She kissed the top of his head and slid off him, making her way to the bathroom.
The man had crossed eight states to be there with her. He was allowed to be tired.
Cleaning them up, she hurried back to bed and as soon as she covered both of them with the sheet, he wrapped her in his arms and they went fast asleep.
Chapter 14
Jay waited in the hotel for Vivian to return. Today she’d find out if she’d gotten the part of Bess. This was a huge role for her to undertake, but one she was ready for. They’d prayed this morning, something he’d never done with anyone outside his immediate family, but she’d asked him to and it seemed right—was right.
Anxious, Jay grabbed his phone and checked the ringer, making sure it was on. It was. What was taking so long?
The phone rang and it was Ross, his boss. Answering, he shook his head. He couldn’t lie about his life. This was too big a deal.
He explained everything, and Ross was surprisingly supportive, offering options Jay hadn’t considered. Like relocating to New York and shooting there, or while Broadway was in season living in New York and spending the off-season in Atlanta. Jay hadn’t known Broadway had a season. But first, Ross reminded him, she had to be chosen.
The room phone rang and he answered it. Vivian was downstairs.
“Ross, I’ve got to go. She’s here.”
“When you two get back in Atlanta, come out to the house and have dinner with Miriam and me.”
“Thanks, Ross. We will.”
Jay ran to the elevator and couldn’t wait to get to the lobby.
In the lobby, Vivian was sitting near the piano player, lost in thought. He had to tap her shoulder to get her attention. “Hey, what happened?”
She stood up. “I didn’t get Bess.” She blinked at him. “I got Clara. I’m going to be singing the famous song ‘Summertime.’”