by Peyton Banks
“I met Jada when her car broke down on the side of the road one night.” He headed into the en suite and flipped the shower on to allow it to warm up.
He glanced in the mirror and saw the few days’ worth of beard covering his jawline. It didn’t look too bad. Maybe he would just let it grow out.
“Someone whose car broke down can afford to bid a hundred grand?”
“No. I paid the bill. I didn’t know she was going to be there. I was trying to have a backup bidder so I wouldn’t have to be won by a crazy stalker woman,” he explained. “I asked her, and she agreed to do it for me.”
“But why the kiss?”
He paused, confused on her line of questioning. It dawned on him at how she had asked her question.
“Is it a problem that she’s black?” He never thought he would have had to have this conversation with his mother. He had just realized how she had asked her initial question. He couldn’t care less that Jada was black and he was white.
“Of course not,” she rushed out, but there was a certain catch in her voice.
His eyes narrowed on his reflection while he braced himself against the counter. “But?” he urged her on. He knew there was a deleted ‘but’ from her sentence. Growing up, he’d had friends from all races. Some of his closet football buddies were a mix of races, and all had been to his parents’ farm back home in Texas. There had never been a problem before.
“Well, she just didn’t fit the type of girl you usually date.”
He tapped his fingers on the counter. Steam fogged the mirror in front of him as he counted to ten to keep from saying something that he would regret later.
“Are you really going to go there? You are throwing out the race card?”
“I’m just saying, she’s different. I’m not throwing out the race card. How do you know she’s not after you for your money?”
“I don’t, but Jada’s not that kind of girl. She didn’t even know who I was until the night of the auction.”
He knew that Jada was not a gold-digger. There was no way she was that good of an actress. He’d come across his fair share of money-hungry women who wanted nothing more than to dig their claws in him. It began in high school as the star athlete and followed him to college then worsened the minute he was drafted into the NFL as the number-one pick.
Jada was nothing like those women.
“Well, you know people are going to talk. I just want to protect you.” She sighed.
His heart softened a little at the sound of regret on her voice.
“You know I’m not racist, but people will talk. In my day, mixed couples had it bad. I don’t want that for you.”
“Mom, our society has grown since your day,” he said gently, not wanting to insinuate that she was old. He ran a weary hand along his face and blew out a deep breath. Their country had made strides in race relations. It was totally acceptable for people of all races to find love with whoever they wanted. “Society is more accepting of interracial couples.”
“Are they?”
He paused and knew deep down in his heart that he wanted to pursue Jada. He didn’t care what the world had to think. If something blossomed between them, then what was between them was their business.
Fuck the world.
“Hold your ear down for me,” Jada instructed her client. She grasped the hair she had parted and brought her flat irons up and caught the hair.
Even though she was the owner of the Dalton Design Team, she could not give up her passion for perfecting a woman’s hair. As a cosmetologist, she loved being able to bring out the beauty in her clients. Her job was more than just doing their hair. It was being a counselor, a mediator, a shoulder to cry on, a hype girl, confidence-booster, and many other facets that her clients may need. Her favorite was helping a client see their true beauty.
“How was your weekend?” Kim asked. She was one of Jada’s faithful clients who had been coming to her for years.
“It was good.” She felt the small smile appear on her lips that had yet to leave her. She moved to another section of Kim’s head, trying to control herself.
“Oooh, I think it was more than good,” Kim joked, peeking over at Jada.
Jada sat the flat irons down on her station so she could try to act busy by combing her client’s hair.
“Let’s say our girl had a fucking fantastic weekend!” Trissa laughed from over at her station.
“Come on, don’t be shy. We all want to know.” Kim giggled.
Jada’s cheeks warmed since the entire salon seemed to pause and look at her. She let loose a sigh and tossed her long hair over her shoulder.
“I may have met someone.” She smiled. She knew her employees had been trying to hook her up with guys. She was probably the only one who didn’t have dates lined up around the building. She had invested herself in running her salon and just didn’t have time for love. She’d figured after her salon grew in its clientele and she finally became comfortable in her finances, then she would try for love.
Squeals of delight filled the air as everyone celebrated and bombarded her with questions.
“Who is he?”
“Don’t hold off on details?”
“Did you sleep with him yet?”
She laughed and shot daggers at Trissa, who just chuckled and shook her head while she continued working on her client’s hair. She looked around at her employees who stood waiting for her reply. Amber, her lead nail tech, her stylists Erica, Athen, Tiana, and even Tyrese, the only male stylist, ambled over to her to hear the story.
She didn’t really want to spill the beans yet. She’d met Reiner twice and she hadn’t even heard from him since the auction. What if he forgot her? Changed his mind? He was a NFL superstar. What could they possibly have in common?
“I really don’t want to say anything. I don’t want to jinx it.” She pouted.
“Aw, come on, Jada! You can give us a little something,” Erica begged.
“Yeah, Jada. Give them something,” Trissa taunted.
Jada’s gaze flew to her friend. She would have to think of some form of torture to pay her bestie back.
“I met him when my car broke down. He was a gentleman, let me hang in his truck until roadside assistance could come tow my car.”
“And we’re just now hearing about it?” Tyrese asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.
Jada rolled her eyes knowing that Tyrese was the worst gossip in the whole salon. If you wanted word to get out, he was the man for the job. His brain just didn’t comprehend the notion of secrets.
“Well, I didn’t think I ever would see him again,” she admitted.
“Well then, honey, this means it’s meant to be.” Kim twirled her chair around. “The world isn’t that small.”
“She’s right, Jada.” Tiana nodded. “Don’t let this one pass you up. We want a wedding to have to style you for!”
“Hold on.” Jada snorted, raising her hands. “I said, we’ve met twice, and now you’re trying to plan my wedding?”
They all looked at each other before turning to her with grins on their faces. “Yes!”
“Get back to work.” She giggled, wiping tears of laughter from her face. She shoo’d them away. Her employees were the best. They were determined to see that she was happy and married off. “Kim, let me finish your hair so you can go.”
A few hours later, she was meeting with Remy, her receptionist, to go over the next major purchase order that they needed to submit.
“I liked that new peppermint strengthen shampoo. Let’s go ahead and put that on order, too,” Jada instructed as they hovered over Remy’s computer together.
She tried to always ensure that she had the best products to offer her clients. If she was to continue pulling in good paying customers then she wanted to provide them with the best products and the best experience when they walked into her salon.
The door opened, grabbing Jada’s attention while Remy continued typing. Jada gasped as she watched a man walk
in with a large arrangement of red roses.
“Can I help you?” she asked, standing from her seat at the desk.
“Yes, I have a delivery for Jada Dalton.” He smiled, carrying the arrangement to the counter.
“That’s me,” she sputtered. The smell of fresh roses filled the air.
“They are beautiful,” Remy gushed, standing up so that she, too, could breathe in the aroma.
“I just need you to sign here.” He motioned to his small tablet for her electronic signature.
She used her finger to sign her name and handed the device back to him.
“Last thing,” he said. “Don’t want to forget to give this to you.”
He held out a sealed envelope for her. She took it and waved goodbye before he jogged out of the salon.
“Who are they from?” Remy asked, leaning in to take another whiff.
“I don’t know,” she murmured. She had an educated guess of who had sent her the flowers. She tried to hide the smile from forming on her lips, but Remy caught her.
“They’re from the mystery guy, aren’t they?” Remy smiled, jumping in place and slapping her hands on the counter.
“Don’t worry about it.” Jada smiled as she gathered the large arrangement against her chest.
“You need help?” Remy stared after her with a wide grin.
“Nope, I got it. Go ahead and send in the order,” she called out over her shoulder before walking back toward the main part of the salon.
Wolf whistles and jokes followed her while she strolled straight to her office. She sat the monstrous arrangement down, feeling her heart race. She flopped into her chair and held the envelope up to see her name scrawled on the front of it.
“Is that from he who you aren’t naming?” Trissa asked from the doorway.
“Yes.” She sighed and held the envelope to her chest.
“I didn’t know you weren’t going to be telling the gang,” Trissa said, coming through the door and shutting it behind her. She took a seat in the chair in front of her desk.
“I don’t care that they know I met someone. I just don’t want to put out there the who part until I know that we are actually going on a date. I haven’t heard from him since the auction. I just assumed that he forgot about me.”
“Why would he forget about you?” Trissa’s eyes grew wide.
“Well, I’m not supermodel thin or tall. I Googled him. Do you know what the women look like that he normally dates?” she asked. She bit her lip, unsure that she wanted to open the envelope. He was probably sending her the thank you for bidding on him and had changed his mind about dating.
“What do they look like?” Trissa rolled her eyes.
“Well, for one, I didn’t see one picture of him dating a woman of color before. Why me? What’s so special about me? I’m short, thick, and definitely not wealthy.” She sat back in her chair, feeling a little defeated.
“Why are you putting yourself down? So what you’re short! You have curves celebrity women pay to get, and as for the color barrier, maybe he has just never met anyone to catch his eye.”
“So you don’t think I’m crazy for dating a white guy?” Jada asked. She never truly had issues with the other race but knew that there was still a stigma attached in the public eye. She grew up in a predominately black neighborhood. The only white people she’d seen growing up were her teachers in school and the police.
As an adult she knew when to recognize that she and Reiner were from different worlds. It was plainly obvious.
“Is it the fact that he is white or that he’s loaded and a celebrity? If he was just a regular blue-collar white guy hitting on you at a bar, would you think any different of him?”
Jada stared across the desk at her friend and knew that she didn’t care about the money. She was a hard worker, and one day, she, too, would have success.
“It’s not the money,” she admitted honestly. She shook her head. “I can’t even say it’s his skin color. I just feel so out of my league with him. I’m just plain ol’ me, and he’s him.”
“Well, read the letter and see what it says!” Trissa motioned for her to open it.
Jada sighed and ripped the envelope’s edge. Her heart raced as she pulled out a beautifully decorated card. She paused, taking in the crisp white invitation.
“Well, what is it?” Trissa demanded, blowing out a deep breath.
“It’s an invitation,” she murmured, staring at it. She read it, and her eyes widened.
You are cordially invited to spend
time with Reiner Strickland.
Be prepared to be swept away for a day.
Longer should you desire.
Options are endless,
but only if you agree.
Pack a bag and come away with me.
“What does it say?” Trissa stood and came around the desk to peer over Jada’s shoulder.
Jada’s hands shook as she re-read the invite and noted the date.
“Girl, pack your fucking bag!” Trissa jumped up and down in place. “This is going to be epic!”
Jada turned to her friend and was rendered speechless. She’d never been swept away for anything. Girls’ weekend, sure. But never by a member of the opposite sex.
“Hello. Earth to Trissa. We have a small problem.”
“What? The shop? Don’t you worry your little brown self about the salon. As the lead stylist, I will step up for my responsibilities and manage the salon while you are gone.”
“Trissa. I’m still a virgin,” she whispered.
“Oh. Shit.” Trissa stopped her dancing and stared at Jada with wide eyes. “Well, it doesn’t mean you have to have sex with him. I’m sure he will be a gentleman and will provide a separate bed for you to sleep in.”
Jada nodded. The invite did say longer if she desired. She bit her lip and grabbed her phone and swiped the screen. She pulled up his number and paused.
“Call or text?” she asked.
“This type of invite warrants a call.”
She hit the button and put her cell up to her ear. It rang once before the sound of his voice greeted her.
“Jada. I take it you got my invite?” Reiner’s deep baritone filled her ear.
“Yes, I did. Thank you for the roses. They are beautiful, but I don’t know what to say,” she murmured, swiveling her chair around to put her back to Trissa.
“Say yes. I promise you will have a good time. If you don’t want to stay longer than a day, then I will return you home safe and sound.”
“Where are you wanting to go?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
“What is he saying?” Trissa whispered fiercely.
Jada waved her off so that she could hear Reiner.
“That will be my surprise for you. I’ll leave it up to you if we are staying overnight. I promise to be a real gentleman and provide you with your own sleeping quarters if you agree for overnight.”
She glanced over at Trissa and smiled.
“Well, if you promise to be a gentleman, then I guess we can make it an overnight date.”
Reiner didn’t know how he was going to make it to the weekend. He wanted to hear the sound of Jada’s voice. When she’d called yesterday to confirm she had received his invitation, he had just about tripped in the locker room and given himself a concussion. Luckily, no one had been around to see him act a fool as he’d answered his phone. Just the sound of her voice coming through his cell phone had made his stomach clench in anticipation of taking her away.
He had a surprise for her. He would be flying her to his home town of Waco, Texas. He had planned a weekend getaway to take her to his family’s ranch. He wanted to be able to share where he’d come from so that they could get to know each other.
He glanced down at his phone. One of his favorite action movies was on cable, and he couldn’t get into it.
Jada filled his mind.
He toyed with calling her and finally gave in. It wasn’t too late, and he hoped that he would
n’t be waking her. He swiped the screen on his phone and hit her number.
“Hello?” her soft voice came on the line, causing him to close his eyes.
The huskiness made his cock twitch.
“Hey, Jada,” he greeted her. He laid back across his oversized couch. It had to be one of his favorite pieces of furniture in the entire house. It was large enough to accommodate his frame.
“Reiner. I was just thinking of you.”
He held back a groan with the thought of how she could have been thinking about him.
“Really? Same here. How was your day?” he asked, wanting to know about her. The sound of her laughter filled his ear. “What’s so funny?”
“I don’t know. I’m sure my day is no way as exciting as a NFL quarterback. I own a beauty salon, and there is always lots of drama.”
“Wow. You own it? It must keep you busy,” he murmured. “How long has it been open?”
“Well, the Dalton Design Team opened three years ago, and it’s grown so much since.”
He listened as she continued to talk about her salon. He could tell from the passion in her voice that it was something that she lived and breathed. He loved that she had taken control of her destiny and took the leap to open her own salon. From the sound of it, she was ambitious and headstrong. He knew that it couldn’t be easy to run a thriving salon and have it do well.
“So, how did you become The General?” She giggled. “You know I know nothing much of football. How did you get that nickname if you play football? You’re not in the service— or were you?”
He smiled at her football innocence. He couldn’t even remember the last instance he’d spent time on the phone with a female. It took him back to his youth when he’d spent hours on the phone with his latest girlfriends.
“My teammates gave me the name. As the quarterback, I’m to be the leader of the team. Once we are on the field, it is me who decides what direction our offense will go. They look to me as a leader.”
“Sounds fitting. Now tell me about Reiner. Tell me who you really are. Not the football star. I want to know who the man is buried beneath the celebrity status,” she said softly.