“I forgot we had dinner plans, I guess,” he said, nonchalantly.
“What do you mean, you forgot, Duke? You were the one who made the damn plans, remember?”
“You’re right, I did. But, shit kinda changed last night—”
“What the hell do you mean, Duke? I swear, I can’t believe you sometimes. All of a sudden, shit kinda changed last night? And if it changed last night, why the hell couldn’t you mention it last night? Oh, I guess because your ass didn’t come home until this morning. But, wait, I tried talking to you this morning before I left and you were too conveniently passed out to mention shit had changed then, right?”
“Look, Avery, I ain’t gonna go back and forth with you over the phone, and you know that,” Duke’s voice escalated.
“Fine, we’ll deal with this when I get home.” Avery hung up before he had a chance to respond. She could not believe him. Instead of Tabitha calling and making sure she had done well on her test, he should have been the one calling. Taking her to dinner should have been the only thing on his mind, especially after last night. And even though she had nothing to apologize for, she had done so, just to be the bigger person, but did he appreciate that? No, he brushed her off and decided to go to the club instead of coming home to be with her. This was getting ridiculous and she was getting tired. They had arguments and fallouts in the past, but they always worked through them. Now, their tiffs seemed to be more frequent and harder and harder to overcome. But wait, she loved Duke, and she knew that their relationship was just being tested. She had a lot going on with school and work and he was dealing with a lot on his job. Avery reminded herself of what he meant to her, and calmed herself down. Fine, just because Duke didn’t want to take her to Jasper’s didn’t mean they couldn’t eat Jasper’s. Avery called the restaurant and placed a to-go order, and picked it up. She stopped and picked up some candles and a bottle of wine from the store and by the time she made it home, she was in a totally different frame of mind and ready to makeup with her man.
“I’m telling you, if you think things are bad now, wait, they’re gonna get worse.”
“They can’t get worse, we already working in hell!”
Avery heard the loud voices before she got in the door and she stopped dead in her tracks. Duke didn’t mention he had people at the house. She put the bags on the floor and walked into the den, where she found Duke along with five of his friends, screaming to hear each other over the basketball video game they were playing and Tupac blaring from the speakers. Half-empty bottles of beer were scattered on the floor and the room was filled with cigarette smoke. Duke knew she didn’t allow smoking in the house.
“Yo’, Avery! What’s up, baby?” Los, Duke’s cousin, yelled when he saw her standing in the doorway.
Duke glanced up. “Hey.”
“Hey,” she said, then quickly asked, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Duke followed her into the bedroom and she counted to ten before saying anything.
“What the hell is going on, Duke?”
“Nothing,” he said. “Los had some issues with his girl, so he asked could he move the fight party over here. I told him as long as he brought the food and the liquor, it was cool.”
“So, you agreed to all this without even talking it over with me?” Avery snapped.
“I didn’t think it would be a big deal.” Duke shrugged and took a swallow of the drink he was holding. Avery easily recognized the green liquid as incredible hulk, a mixture of Hennessy and Hpnotiq, which he loved.
“Well, guess what, now you got some issues with your girl,” Avery told him. “First of all, you made plans with me, then change them without saying anything. Then, you agree to have a fight party at our house without saying anything.”
“Well, like I said, I didn’t think it would be a big deal,” he sighed.
“And who the hell is supposed to be paying the extra sixty bucks on the cable bill for this fight?” Avery asked.
“What?” Duke seemed confused.
“You know the fight ain’t free. So, who’s gonna pay the bill for ordering it?” Avery folded her arms. She knew by his reaction that thought hadn’t even occurred to him. Next, he would probably accuse her of tripping, which was his way of ducking out of a situation.
“You’re tripping,” Duke said.
“Oh, really?” Avery shook her head as she watched Duke walk out the door.
Frustrated, she sat on the side of the bed and tried to think of what to do. She definitely wasn’t going to stay home and listen to all that racket coming from downstairs. She didn’t want to even be at home anymore. She dialed Tabitha’s number and agreed to meet her at the mall. She jumped in the shower and changed into some jeans, a cute top, and her Uggs. As she was putting on her makeup, she could hear the guys laughing and talking.
“I told you shit was gonna change,” Los laughed.
“Ain’t nothing changed,” Duke said. “I got this.”
“Yeah, you think you got it,” another guy teased. “The same thing happened with my brother’s wife. She went back to nursing school and then shit changed. She started complaining about him and it was like he couldn’t do anything right. Next thing you know, she’s sleeping wit one of the doctors at the hospital she worked at.”
“That’s not gonna happen to us. I love my girl and she loves me. I got this,” Duke said.
Avery couldn’t help laughing. She was glad he wasn’t feeding into the negativity his boys were throwing at him. They were all losers who were just jealous of her and Duke. None of them had girls who were as accomplished as she was and all of them had two or three kids that they could barely take care of. Misery loved company.
After she was dressed, she made a big deal out of going downstairs and into the den where they were all assembled. She walked right over to Duke and sat in his lap, kissing him tenderly and then saying, “Bye, baby. I’m gone to hang out with Tabitha. I’ll be back later.”
Duke seemed shocked, but a slow smile spread on his face. “Okay, baby,” he said. “I love you.”
Knowing all eyes were on them, she stood up and said, “I love you too.”
“Damn, boy, I guess you’re right,” she heard Los say as she walked out of the house. “You got that, lucky bastard.”
“There are hardwood floors throughout the downstairs, and Berber carpet upstairs in the bedrooms. The countertops are granite and the fireplace is gas,” Bobbie, Tabitha’s real estate agent said as she gave them a tour of the huge condo that Tabitha was looking at. Avery instantly fell in love with the place as soon as they entered.
“I’m thinking I like the place we saw last week,” Tabitha said. “It seemed a little more chic.”
“Well, this one doesn’t have all of the amenities that the other one had, but this one does come with all stainless steel appliances and it’s closer to your price range,” Bobbie said.
“I will be able to afford the other one once I get accepted into the JMDP at work. I’ll get a raise then. What do you think, Avery?” Tabitha asked, opening the closet door.
“I love it,” Avery said, wishing she could buy it. It was exactly what she wanted. She could picture herself lounging in the living room, her home office set up in one of the extra bedrooms. The condo was perfect. If only, she thought to herself as she walked into the shiny new kitchen, if only things were different. Like, if only the decision was solely up to her, which, in some ways, it should have been. Especially since it was her income that paid the majority of the bills. If only. Duke could see how nice the condo was.
“Maybe you should consider buying it, Avery. You’ve been complaining about your house for months now, and saying you want to move,” Tabitha suggested.
“Is that so?” Bobbie asked. “Do you own or rent now?”
“I live with my boyfriend in a house that he inherited,” Avery replied.
“Really? Where?”
Avery paused before answering. “On the east side.”
“Okay, do you think he would be interested in putting the house on the market and moving?”
“I doubt it,” she said. “He grew up in that house and if he has his way, he will die there.”
The three women laughed. Although it seemed like a joke, Avery knew it was very much the truth, and deep down she was saddened. In some ways, she wondered if she too would end up dying in that house with Duke.
“Well, I can get your information and prequal-ify you. There’s no harm in that,” Bobbie suggested. “And there’s no harm in having your own place, either. I mean, it can be an investment.”
“You got that right. I don’t know why she doesn’t just buy a place. She works with me,” Tabitha volunteered. “So there’s no doubt that she can afford it.”
Avery thought about the idea of possibly owning the condo and agreed to apply for the loan. After all, it was only an application. A prequali-fication. Bobbie was right, there was no harm in that.
“Okay, I’ll apply.” Avery shrugged and filled out the paperwork the agent pulled out of her leather briefcase. While she was writing, her cell phone rang. She saw that it was Kurt and she quickly answered.
“Hello?” It sounded more like a question rather than a greeting.
“Hey, Avery, are you busy? Is this a bad time?” he asked.
She glanced over and saw that Bobbie and Tabitha were engrossed in a conversation about marble versus granite countertops and she told him, “No, I’m not busy. What’s up?”
“Listen, it’s my parents’ anniversary this week and I’m trying to come up with somewhere nice to have a small dinner party. Nothing extremely fancy, but really nice. Got any suggestions?”
Avery wanted to ask him why he called her of all people but decided to just go with the flow. “Well, you can always go to Jasper’s.”
“We go there all the time. No Cheesecake Factory, Bravo, McCormick and Shmick’s. My whack sister, Sharice, has suggested all of those places. I want to go somewhere a bit nicer and different.”
She thought about Steinhilber’s, a new seafood restaurant she wanted to try, but Duke had refused to go because they required a shirt and tie. It amazed her that he had no problem dressing up when it came to functions he wanted to attend, but when it came to something she wanted to do out of the norm, it was always a problem.
“You should call Steinhilber’s. They are really elegant and I’ve heard the food is great. You have to make reservations, though.”
“Oh yeah, I heard about that place. Thanks, Avery. Hey, how did the midterm go?”
“It went great. I’m confident that I passed.”
“So, my advice worked?”
“Yes, it did. I owe you, big-time,” she said, smiling.
“I’m gonna hold you to that,” he replied.
She felt herself become flush and heat rising on the back of her neck. Had her complexion been lighter, there was no doubt she would be blushing.
“Let me ask you a question,” she said. “Why did you ask me about a restaurant, of all things? Is it because I’m a big girl?”
“What?” He laughed. “No, Avery, I asked because I know that you have great taste, and I value your opinion, crazy.”
“Okay, I was just wondering.”
“Thanks again,” he said. “I will see you in the office later this week, but you know I’ll e-mail you and check in before then.”
“I know,” she said and hung up.
“Well, whoever that was put a smile on your face, Avery. You’re red as a beet. Was Duke seducing you over the phone?” Tabitha teased.
Avery shook her head. “No, he wasn’t.”
Chapter 8
“You and Douglas Manning, I would’ve never put the two of you together,” Demi said. She and Avery had arrived at work at the same time and parked beside each other.
“Yeah, they say opposites attract. I guess it’s true.” Avery smiled. “We’ve been together for seven years.”
“He still looks the same,” Demi said. “Fine as hell. Lucky you. Did you think any more about applying to the JDMP?”
Avery shook her head, wondering why Demi was so determined to get her to apply. “No. Why is my applying so important to you, anyway? I know how important mentoring is to you. Have you thought about mentoring Tabitha? She’s applied twice and is dying to get into the program.”
“Tabitha? Are you crazy? Why would I do that? I have no desire whatsoever to mentor her.” Demi’s eyes widened so big that Avery thought her gray contacts would pop out.
“Why not? Because she’s white?” Avery was bold enough to ask as they walked into the building and entered the elevator.
“It’s not about race, Avery. I told you I’ve been where you are and I want to help you to get where I am. If that’s somewhere you would like to be. Tabitha doesn’t need any help. And have you considered that maybe she’s trying to sabotage your chance of getting ahead?”
It took all she had not to laugh hysterically. “Now that’s crazy. Tabitha is my friend and she’s encouraged me to apply to the JDMP too.”
“Well, every time I hear her she’s either trying to get you to go to some club instead of studying, or asking you out to eat or bringing you some sort of edible gift,” Demi said.
Avery looked at Demi like she was crazy. “You are funny.”
“I’m serious. Coffees and lattes, calorie-filled lunches and snacks. Let me ask you this, when is the last time she suggested that you all take a walk during lunch, or hit the gym after work. She goes to Pilates and yoga, but has she ever invited you?”
“No,” Avery mumbled.
“Exactly,” Demi said, with a satisfied look on her face. “But how many times have you all hung out at a restaurant? And did she order a complete meal, or just a salad?”
Avery thought about going to Bardo’s, a tapas bar, after leaving the condo Saturday night and indulging in various appetizers while Tabitha nibbled on crackers and brie. She hadn’t really thought about it until that moment. As ridiculous as it sounded, Demi might have had a point.
“Think about it,” Demi said as they got off the elevator and went their separate ways.
Waiting at her desk was a small cake, decorated like an ace of spades, with the words Congrats Avery, our Ace! along with a card signed by Tabitha and Malcolm, who were smiling at her as she sat down.
“Thanks, guys,” she said, placing the card on her desk. She appreciated the gesture, but somehow, it was tainted, mainly due to Demi’s conspiracy theories.
“What’s up, girl? Have you heard from Bobbie about your application?” Tabitha asked.
“What application?” Malcolm questioned.
“Avery fell in love with one of the condos I toured,” Tabitha told him.
“Wow, Avery, that’s what’s up. And you thought Duke wanted to stay in that house forever.” Malcolm leaned back in his chair. “Can you hurry up and cut that cake? A brother is kinda hungry this morning.”
“Stop being greedy, Malcolm. That’s why I got her a personal-sized cake, so she wouldn’t have to share,” Tabitha told him.
Avery looked down at the cake, and saw that although it was small, there was plenty to share. She wondered if Tabitha really did think she would eat the entire thing by herself.
“Did you see the e-mail about the gala next month? I can’t wait. I already found the perfect dress at Nordstrom,” Tabitha gushed.
“Are you bringing a date?” Malcolm asked.
“Are you?” Tabitha responded.
“Maybe,” he said, shrugging.
“Stop fronting. We all know you’re bringing Sharice,” Tabitha laughed. “And who knows, I may have made my move on Kurt by then.”
“I doubt that,” Malcolm said. “Word on the street is he came and cleared his desk out Friday night. He’s transferring.”
“Oh my God, he’s really leaving to go and be with that heifer in the southeast office?” Tabitha gasped.
“He did not clear out his desk.” Avery shook her head, am
azed at how fast rumors made their way around the office. “He came by and picked up some files, that’s all.”
“How do you know?” Tabitha frowned.
“Because I was here studying,” Avery replied.
“Oh, that’s right.” Tabitha relaxed.
“He is working out of the southeast office, though. At least for a while,” Malcolm added.
“Yeah, he is,” Avery said, nodding.
“He’ll be back here on Wednesday night, though, because it’s his parents’ anniversary and they’re having a dinner party at some overpriced place.” Malcolm informed them.
“You think anywhere without a drive-thru is overpriced,” Avery laughed. She looked up and saw Demi staring at them. She looked down at the cake on her desk and tried to cover it, but she knew it was too late.
“Can you all keep it down a little?” Demi asked, giving Avery a knowing smile.
“Sorry, Ms. Hayes, we’ll try not to be so pleasant in the office,” Tabitha’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
Demi didn’t say a word; she just cut her eyes at Tabitha and walked away.
“That was mean, Tabitha,” Avery told her.
“That bitch is mean,” Tabitha replied. “I’m telling you, she’s a snake and I don’t like her. Have you noticed that she’s always looking at you?”
“She’s always looking at everyone,” Avery said. “I think her contacts make her look that way. She’s harmless.”
“That’s what you think.” Tabitha turned and walked back to her desk.
Avery opened her e-mails and saw the company announcement regarding the gala. She was looking forward to attending the event herself. She had missed the previous ones because Duke didn’t want to rent a tuxedo, but she had decided that this year she would definitely attend. She needed to start networking with some of the other company execs, especially if she wanted to apply for the JDMP in the next year. She needed to get a gown and some shoes, which she was sure Tabitha’s shopaholic self would have no problem helping her find.
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