“Actually, no. This was the last batch and the order specifically requires …” His dark eyes zeroed in on my blotchy red cheeks and pouting lips. “What’s the emergency? Did someone die? What’s going on?”
“I need a fake peace offering to get in Sirena Lassiter’s house so I can get past her entourage and threaten her life.”
Vince didn’t know whether to bust out laughing or do a backhand to snap me out of crazy mode. “If you make a threat, you better be willing to carry it out.”
“God … would you stop with the mob-boss talk. You’re a flower arranger.”
He took a long, deep breath. “You’re too good for whatever you’re planning.”
“No, I’m not. I want to push these flowers in Sirena’s face and tell her to stay away from my husband. Mya got beat up in school because of her selfishness. I’m sick of it. And it’s all her doing.” I plopped down on the stool at the work desk. “You know what I realized about these so-called celebrities? They live and breathe scandal. They need to be front and center or they don’t exist.”
I leaned in. “Trevelle is no exception. She’s basically the epitome of what I’m talking about. No cameras, no focus on her and she’s a figment of our imagination. Poof, she’s disappeared.”
“I assure you, she’s real,” Vince said, suddenly interested in what I had to say. “She’s dealing with a fall from grace. That’s not easy.”
“Would you stop feeling sorry for her? She’s a user. She’s a vampire of energy. She’ll suck you dry and leave your body in a heap of dust.”
“Don’t talk about Trevelle like that, Venus.” He folded his solid arms over his chest. “As a matter of fact, let’s stick with the subject of you.”
“Sorry I brought her up. Okay. I’m just crying out for help and no one can hear me.” I let my head fall into my hands. Vince touched my shoulder, then squeezed.
“I hear you, kiddo. All I’m saying is, you’re barking up the wrong tree. A man knows what he wants and will go after it with full gusto. If he’s too stupid to know, then he’s roadkill, and any scavenger can have ’em. You get me?”
“Yes, but I know plenty of women who feel the same way. They’ll go after a man with reckless abandon, not caring who they hurt. I think Sirena might be one of those women.”
“Takes two to tango.”
“What if she can dance good enough for the both of them?” I didn’t wait for his grand pooh-bah knowledge. “Still his decision,” I answered, knowing he was absolutely right.
He nodded and said quietly, “Sirena’s not your problem.” The caring in his voice reminded me of my father. My father, who still hadn’t called me back. I was starting to fear something had happened to him. Or worse, he really wanted out of the forty-year marriage with my mother. If there was no hope for them, no one stood a chance.
“I got a date,” Vince abruptly remembered out loud. “You go home. Take a hot bath, relax. Let this day end.”
“Lady Trevelle awaits?”
“No. She won’t go out with me in public, yet.”
I nearly choked on my disgust. “What do you mean, she won’t go out with you in public? Who does she think she is? Are you serious?”
“Listen, no. It’s not like that.”
“Well, how is it?”
“We’re friends. She doesn’t want any rumors started that could hurt her return to the ministry. That’s all.”
“And you fell for that.”
“Look, until I get on bended knee and offer her a ring, she’s not playing the dating game. I respect that. I understand what she’s saying. I’m an old dog, and she’s right. A man knows what his intentions are.”
I snapped my fingers in front of Vince’s face. “Vin, you in there?”
“A man knows what his intentions are,” he repeated so I would get the message loud and clear. “See you tomorrow, li’l lady.”
“Yeah, heading straight home,” I said, still not so sure my plan was completely thwarted.
What a great plan it was. Walking up to Sirena’s door, pretending to deliver flowers, then pushing them in her face with a warning. Stay away from my husband.
I gave the lively fresh bouquet one last glance. Someone was going to have a beautiful delivery in the morning. Why waste them on Sirena Lassiter anyway?
Mayday
Music played loudly through the door of Jake’s studio that he’d had built in the back of the house. I didn’t bother knocking.
Pushing the heavy wood door open I pictured him with Sirena by his side, collaborating, the way I’d found them last year about this time, laughing nearly nose-to-nose. I remember the way my heart skipped, landing in a puddle of doubt. He’d explained, made me understand there was no other way to get Sirena to buckle down. She needed attention, admiration, and constant compliments.
“You working?” Those were the only words I’d spoken to him in the past twenty-four hours. My silence, not speaking to him, seemed to hurt only me.
In his studio, he was alone. Absolutely no one in his ear or by his side to bounce ideas off. Ironically, he looked quite comfortable that way, working alone, focusing on what he wanted to focus on without coddling or babysitting.
“Look at you.” He nodded with admiration. He flicked a couple of switches and the music went to a low decibel. “Where do you think you’re going dressed like that?”
“Oh, this old thing.” I smoothed a hand down the fifty percent Lycra, thirty percent cotton, and twenty percent other stuff I couldn’t name. Definitely fitting in all the right places. “Miriam’s bachelorette party. I’m obligated. I have to go.”
“That dress is quite an obligation.” Raised eyebrows and then a sly smile.
“What?” I stroked my wild hair, then did a small pose balancing on one full hip. I knew I’d picked up some pounds since wearing the dress last. That’s what the Lycra was for. “Miriam wants to have a good time. I can’t show up in a nightclub looking like Mary Poppins. I’ll see you later.” I bent over, giving him a bird’s-eye view of my smooth cleavage. I kissed him on the lips. He grabbed me and didn’t stop, moving his tongue gently around my mouth. My head swam. My body warmed—as well as my resolve to stay mad at him.
“Don’t wait up,” I said when I was finally free.
“Oh, you best believe I’ll be up waiting.” He leaned back in his chair. “I can think of other obligations you have.” His left hand dropped slightly to his chest, then down, down, disappearing behind the workstation.
“See you later,” I said, making my mad dash to the door. A few more seconds and Jake would’ve had me on top of the grid, making me forget my plan to make him jealous. He needed a dose of his own medicine. This time my mother’s advice was on target.
Like It’s 1999
Getting my club groove on and wishing someone would ask me to dance were distant but painful memories. Obviously people didn’t dance anymore. I was sandwiched at the crowded bar in the upscale Davinci’s nightspot waiting for the wedding girl and her party. It was nine thirty-five and I could’ve been home in bed fretting over my laundry list of woes. To send Mya back to Whitherspoon or not. To find a way to confront Sirena, or ask Jake not to take the next film project with her.
“Hey, sexy-can-I.” The medium-height—almost cute if not for his crooked teeth—guy smiled at me. “How you doin’?”
“Great.” I would’ve turned my body in the other direction if there were room. My crossed legs and high heels were pinned forward. I kept checking my phone for a message from Miriam.
“I like your hair. Sexy, kind of wild, like the jungle.” He bumped his pelvis against me, surely by accident.
“Oh … I think I see my friend. Excuse me.” I really did see Miriam. I’d gotten used to her wig making an appearance before her. I waved as best I could over the crowd. “Oh … thank goodness … you’re here.”
“Of course I’m here. It’s my party.” She raised her arms like Diana Ross. “I’m the guest of honor.” She did a sexy wigg
le in her pink tasseled minidress, showing off a mountain of thigh. The equivalent of throwing red meat into an ocean of sharks.
“So where is everyone?”
“We’ve got a VIP section. Come on, I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
The first person I laid eyes on was Robert Stanton, the only male in a group full of women in sexy party dresses. He was happier than a pig in … well, let’s just say he was in his element.
“Everyone, this is my good friend Venus, who I’m forever grateful for talking sense into me. I wanted her to be my maid of honor but she’s busy being the wife of JP,” Miriam sang out. “JP, the sexy hot actor.” She clapped her hands in giddy fashion. “Now of course you know our HHF, hot hubby friend, Senator Stanton.”
“Please, here I’m just hot hubby Rob. You can leave off the ‘friend.’ ”
I rolled my eyes. “Who let you out of the house?”
He winked and sipped on his martini, glaring over his drink. “One more of these, I’m going to show you my moves.”
“Yeah right.” I rolled my eyes. His precious reputation would be at stake. I wasn’t going to miss it though if he did let loose. Maybe pictures and a threat of blackmail would keep him in his place.
“And this is my cousin, Jeanette …”
I noticed her right away, even in the moody lighting of the nightclub. The hair, the face, the resemblance to Miriam, only younger, sleeker. The new version, the very woman I’d seen at the hotel with Ben.
Maybe I’d seen it all wrong. My mind playing tricks on me. The way she held his hand at the check-in desk. The way he’d let his hand trail her back. Surely I could’ve been seeing things. But hadn’t Miriam said she’d seen him, too, with another woman?
“Miriam … I … Can I talk to you?” I held on to my clutch bag and tilted my head like a confused puppy. Smile for everyone, though my teeth were clenched.
“You most certainly cannot. This is a party. No talking, only dancing.” Again with the raised arms and shimmy-shimmy of her tassels.
“That’s right. No talking, time to dance.” Robert stood up and did a little twist.
I covered my face, refusing to be a witness. As much as I needed blackmail photos, I couldn’t watch. “Someone is going to get you on tape, Senator.”
“Good, that means I’ll be president someday. All the great prezes know how to dance.”
Jeanette came between Miriam and me. She bounced up to Robert Stanton and started snapping her fingers.
“Miriam, I really need to talk to you. I won’t feel right the rest of the night until I do.”
“Venus, life is way too short to worry about—”
“I know, things we have no control of.” I eyed Jeanette and tossed the idea around of saying something to her instead, but I could hear Vince’s voice in my head. I was once again going after the wrong person. “You’re right, let’s have a good time.”
Miriam caught me eyeing her cousin. “Jeanette planned the bachelorette party. She’s also my maid of honor. Don’t worry, she’s just playful. I promise she won’t go after your man, hot Rob.”
“She can have him.” It’s your man I’m worried about.
Jeanette squinted. “Have we met before?” It dawned on her we were staring. She had left Robert to dance alone.
“I don’t think so. I’m a florist and event planner. What do you do?”
“Event planning,” she excitedly reported. “I’ve only lived here for the last few months. I graduated from the University of Miami. I was staying with Ben and Miriam until I got on my feet. Still no job, but I have my own place now.”
“I bet you do,” I said under my breath.
“Do you need any help in your establishment? I’d be happy to give you my résumé.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary. I can see what you’re qualified for.”
The music was too loud. “What?” She squinted and tossed her hair back to hear better.
“I said, I know you’re qualified. But I’m not in a position to do any hiring right now.” I searched for relief over my shoulder. “I need a drink.”
The music was thumping through the floor. To my surprise it was even louder in the bathroom where I’d gone to cool off. The transparency of Miriam’s cousin … of all the two-timing, cheating, backstabbing, gold-digging, man-stealing—
I stood at the mirror and watched as Sirena went flying past me. Speak of the she-devil, or at least the leader of the group.
I waited with folded arms against the granite counter. She looked me in the face and saw no recognition.
“Sirena, how are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” She washed her hands and fluffed her ever-growing length of hair. “Oh, my goodness, Venus. I didn’t recognize you. Is Jay here?” The question took a life-or-death tone.
“No, I’m out and about all by my lonesome.”
She laughed smartly. “So you’re a party momma. Wifey likes to get her groove on occasionally. I heard that.” She threw the paper towel in the trash and dug for lipstick.
“Peacock, how you doin’?” The man’s voice pushed past the small distance after he’d opened the door to the ladies’ room.
“I’m cool,” she yelled out. “My bodyguard. Can’t leave home without him.”
“Really? Was he in the hotel room with you and my husband when you took half-naked pictures of him?” I raised my hands, already regretting what I’d said. “You know what? I’m sorry. That was inappropriate. Jake is the one married. It’s his responsibility to act like it.”
Sirena smacked her lips, making sure the color was even. She dropped the black case back in her purse, then pulled out her phone.
“These little things are just so convenient. Sometimes you can’t resist.” She pointed it at me, then squeezed the trigger. “You ever been followed around, somebody taking your picture all damn day long? Don’t matter where you go, what you do … someone’s always taking your picture.”
She snapped again. I flinched. “You get used to it,” she continued. “Becomes a way of life. Doesn’t steal your soul like tribal taboo. You just live with it.” She snapped my picture again.
I could only imagine each shot with me more angry than the last, then another, and another. “Okay, that’s enough,” I ordered in my mature voice. The one that said, I’m bigger than this. I’m better than this.
“My point is, it’s not against the law.” She put the phone back in her purse. “Besides, he wasn’t naked. He had on those sexy silky boxers he likes to wear. Old-school BVDs with plenty of the black-on-white writing.”
The first thing I felt was a thick wirelike tube. I’d completely skipped the length of her hair and my hands had dug into her scalp with clawlike precision. Her scream echoed loud enough to hurt my ears, but I wouldn’t let go.
“Get your hands off me, bitch.” Sirena dug her nails into my arms. I wouldn’t let go. The scuffle lasted mere seconds, and then I felt the air leave my chest. I was being squeezed to death.
“You all right, Peacock?”
“Quincy, I’m fine. Put her down.”
“Nah, who is this trick putting her hands on you?”
A woman came in and screamed. She ran out just as fast. If I could’ve moved my lips I would’ve screamed for help. It felt like my head was going to pop. His hard thick arms pushed against my neck.
Suddenly he dropped me like a sack of potatoes. My knees hit the hard bathroom tile. Quincy crashed to the floor, right next to me.
“The little boys’ room is next door. Think you made a wrong turn,” said a familiar male voice.
“He’s my bodyguard,” Sirena yelled in defense. “And this woman was attacking me. You need to call the police.”
I felt an arm loop around my waist, pulling me up, and I cried out in pain. “It’s okay. I got you,” he said.
“Vin … what’re you doing here?”
“My job.”
“She attacked me,” Sirena yelled. “You need to call the police.
I want her arrested.”
At the same time Quincy was getting to his feet, rubbing the growing knot on the back of his head. He lunged toward both me and Vince, still unsteady. I’d never seen Vince move so fast. He threw elbows and the bodyguard was facedown; this time not a budge. The solid weight flattened in retreat.
Sirena leaned over him and tapped his face. “Quincy, get up.”
“I’d let him stay down if I were you.”
“Oh my God … Venus, are you all right?” Miriam was at my other side. The crowd in and around the bathroom door was hard to push through. I got jostled, making the pain around my chest hurt worse. Vince wouldn’t let go.
“He’s inside the ladies’ bathroom,” Vince told two other bouncers scrambling to get through the chaos. I could hear Sirena still screaming she wanted someone to call the police.
Miriam hugged me when I got to the nearly empty lounge seating. Everyone else had run to see the commotion. “Are you all right? What happened in there?”
“Sirena Lassiter.”
“You and her. Fighting in the woman’s room. No.”
“More like two against one. Her bodyguard almost squeezed the life out of me.”
“Let’s go. Come on. We need to get you home.”
Vince came back with a glass of water and a wet towel he placed on my knees. I hadn’t even realized they were scratched up from falling to the floor.
“Since when are you a bouncer here, at Davinci’s?” I asked Vince.
“Need the extra money … if I want to buy that ring.”
“Vin.” I shook my head in pity. There was no winning. In the past twenty-four hours every married couple I knew had proven faulty. And here he was ready to take the plunge.
The wedding party began to trickle back. “I ruined your bachelorette party. I’m sorry, Miriam.”
“You didn’t ruin anything. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Do you need me to take you home?” Vince stood firm.
“No. I think I’ll stay. Let her go home.” We all turned to watch the sea part as Sirena made her way out of the club.
Un-Nappily in Love Page 16