Authors: Allen Takerra
“
H-Hey Slim, what’s up?” She was nervous, shy, not herself.
He leaned down into her face.
“
H-Hey Slim, what’s up,” he mocked with a deadly smile and a deep baritone. “Girl, stand up and give me some love.” Jordin just giggled, being too naive as Slim and Noelle embraced. Had she been anyone else, anyone who didn’t trust her best friend and her man the way that she did, she would’ve seen the chemistry between them. She would have seen the way they held eye contact for too long. She would’ve seen the way they inhaled each other’s scent. She would’ve seen the way he didn’t want to let her go. She would’ve seen him lick his lips like Noelle was fresh baked sweet potato pie. She would have seen… them.
The visit played out with Jordin’s talking, filling Slim in on information about his appeal, about his team who had abandoned him, about how she was struggling, all of that which was only the soundtrack to Slim and Noelle’s moments of stolen lust. No matter how hard he had tried, Slim simply could not keep his eyes off of Noelle, and vice versa. By the end of the visit, Noelle’s heart was racing. She had tried to think of Julez who she was growing fast feelings for. She was trying to think of Jordin who she loved dearly. She even thought of her daughter McKenzie who loved both Julez and Jordin as much as she did, but no matter what, she couldn’t stop thinking about Slim.
When Jordin had asked Noelle one day not too long after about giving Slim her address, because someone he was locked down with claimed he had known Noelle and wanted to drop her a line, Noelle had a feeling what it really was. By this time she was living with Julez so she had passed on her mother’s address to have the letter sent there. She couldn’t deny the feeling she received when her mother handed it to her one day.
“
Here Noelle! I don’t know why you got this mail coming here, you living with that rich ass guy now. Have it sent to his house!” Noelle’s mom was fiery just like her and everyone loved her, including Julez. Noelle had taken the letter, locked herself in the bathroom and tore into it. It melted in her hands.
I don’t know why I’m doing this. Even as I’m writing, I’m trying to stop myself from penning these words, but I can’t. I know there’s a good chance that you’ll be upset by this. Shit, I know there’s a good chance that you’ll tell Jordin. But that’s a chance I’m willing to take Noelle. Since the time you came up here with J, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. Believe me, I tried. But every time I’m dreaming good, thinking good, feeling good, it seems to be about you lately. I know you probably think that you were too young and I had been with too many girls to remember what went down between us, but that’s not true. In fact, it’s the opposite. I do remember, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t stop thinking about you. I know this won’t go anywhere, this can’t go anywhere, but I had to let you know. Get this shit off my chest. Maybe next time you shouldn’t come up here, so that way you can give a nigga chance to get you out of his system. Nah, you know what, scratch that, if you want to come again, I’m with it. I can’t turn down seeing you…
That’s how it started out, friendly. Flirting and writing and conversing and it was fine, until he came home. And even then it wasn’t that bad, with stolen glances, and sweet smiles exchanged but no lines crossed, until they had to move in with Noelle and Julez. But once that happened, once it got there, it wasn’t long until they were feeding into that temptation, living out those restricted fantasies, indulging in their cravings for each other.
Noelle snapped herself out of the thoughts and sighed. Now here they were. She knew this couldn’t go on forever and eventually choices would have to be made, hearts would have to be broken. But right now that was not something that she was ready to think about.
She made her way to the couch to watch television and patiently wait for her husband to take her best friend out, so that she could be alone with her lover.
Mmm…mmm…mmm…Scandalous.
***
Jordin debated for the second time going back into the room for her shawl before she decided against it and made herself just proceed down the steps. The night was warm, it would not be needed, but she did want something to take away from her exposed arms and plentiful cleavage area that she was insecure about.
The truth was however, Jordin looked splendid. The dress still fit her like it was custom made but her shimmery, flawless make-up and her hair, which had never looked so perfect, really brought it all together. She had a smoky eye, a shiny nude lip, and her long thick hair was straight down and parted on the side looking like the finest of weaves, but all natural. Her crystal covered stilettos clicked down the staircase as she supported her frame on the banister, walking slowly. She could see Julez had his back to her as he fastened the clasp to his cufflinks. Turning around abruptly, he spoke.
“
Yo Jordin-” But his words were stalled briefly. She was… “Beautiful. You look…beautiful.”
Her face turned crimson from the instant blush, as she took her last step and looked down to make sure she wasn’t stepping on her dress.
“
Oh wow,” she said smiling wide. “Thanks Julez.”
She looked up and he was still frozen, so she continued.
“
You ready?”
Julez shook his head lightly.
“
Yea-yeah, let’s go.”
“
Should we tell Noe that we’re going?” She asked.
“
She’s up there knocked out on cold medicine,” Julez said, recalling seeing the bottle next to the nightstand and Noelle pretend sleeping. He extended his arm for Jordin to walk ahead of him out of the door.
“
After you.”
“
Okay.”
As they made their way to the limo that was waiting out front in silence, Jordin felt the need to say…
“
You look handsome, too. I mean…I don’t mean
too,
as if you said...I look handsome. But I mean, you look…nice…too.”
Julez smiled.
“
Thanks.”
He motioned for the driver not to get out and he opened the door for Jordin instead, and then he helped her into the car, sliding in behind her. After a few more moments of silence, Julez grabbed two glasses from the waiting bucket and poured them each a glass of Rose’ champagne. He raised his glass slightly for a toast and Jordin followed suit.
‘
Let’s make it a good night,” he told her and Jordin nodded. And as they sipped and shared a smile, Jordin had a feeling that it would be.
“
Mr. Payne, I had no idea that your wife was so funny,” an elder white man, who was a client of Julez’s exclaimed, as Julez made his way back to the circle from a prior conversation.
“
Actually my wife is home sick. This is a friend of ours, Jordin Spears. She’s a writer by the way.” Julez shot Jordin a wink and she shook her head slightly embarrassed.
“
Well if she’s not your wife, I just may be obligated to marry her myself. Beauty, brains, and humor…wait, you don’t see my wife around do you?” The old white man looked around pretending to be scared. Jordin giggled and Julez chuckled, both enjoying the antics.
So far the evening had been playing along well. When they had arrived, they were escorted to the ballroom where hors d’oeurvres were being served with champagne and everyone enjoyed light conversation. Now they were in a banquet section waiting for the dinner portion to begin.
“
Come on, let’s go have a seat.” Julez placed his hand lightly on the small of Jordin’s back and guided her to one of the round tables in the front. As they sat, he noticed that she hadn’t stopped smiling and he thought of Noelle telling him to make sure that she enjoyed herself.
“
You having a good time?”
“
I am,” she agreed. “I had no idea that a job that sounded so boring could have people so interesting surrounding it.”
Julez raised his eyebrows at her wit.
“
You calling my job boring?” He asked, feigning to be offended. In all actuality, compared to his prior lifestyle, Julez enjoyed the conformity of what he did now.
“
Yeah,” she admitted. “But I’m also calling you interesting.” She smiled and he laughed, and just then Kira made her way to their table.
“
Well, hey now. No fair, there’s no fun permitted at these social events. I may have to ask you two to leave.” She looked pretty in a red Cavalli dress, but Jordin still stole the show. Kira’s boyfriend looked strange, odd, and uncomfortable, and his face was frowned up. “And who might this be?” Kira asked to Julez, helping herself to a seat and taking in the stunning competition. Julez slowed his laugh to respond.
“
Oh this is Jordin… a friend of ours.” Julez felt the need to keep saying a friend of
ours
, not wanting anyone to think he was pulling no slick shit on his wife at a public event. Kira recognized the name.
“
Jordin…yes, I’ve heard much about you… and your cooking.” Everyone shared a laugh. “I’m Kira.”
Jordin smiled blandly and shook the girl’s waiting hand, although she wanted to not like the girl from the moment she learned her name. She knew that Noelle didn’t like her.
“
Nice to meet you,” Jordin replied generically. Before Kira could initiate anymore conversation, a young waiter walked up.
“
Good evening everyone. I just wanted to go over the menu with you. This evening for an appetizer we will be having stuffed mushrooms, calamari, and a lobster and artichoke dip, followed by a main course of pecan crusted salmon, filet mignon, and a Maine lobster tail with wild rice and asparagus. Last, for dessert, there will be a vanilla truffle cake and chocolate mousse. Will this all suit you just fine?”
“
Bring it all out,” Julez boasted with a grin and Jordin shook her head in protest.
“
Now you know I’m gonna be busting out of this dress if I eat all of that,” she warned.
“
And Mr. Rafetty might like that shit,” Julez teased, speaking of the older white man. They both shared a hearty laugh and Kira looked on in wonder.
“
Jordin, are you married?” Kira was jealous. Jordin now slowed her laugh and wondered if she and Julez were giving off a certain impression, she certainly did not want to.
“
Um, I have a boyfriend, but we’re not married yet.”
“
Her boyfriend actually works at the Exit 9 site. You work there, right?” Julez asked Kira’s anti-social boyfriend. He only nodded in response.
Kira’s ears perked and she thought hard for a second before it all added up.
“
Oh, wait, so you guys are the friends that are staying with Julez and his wife?”
Jordin was a little uncomfortable with the question and Julez didn’t appreciate it quite much either.
“
Yo Kira, I told you about that FBI shit. Enough with the 21 questions.” Julez was a businessman but spoke to most people with the same authority and power that he had used in the streets. He wasn’t a phony nigga, he would always be Julez, and instead of adjusting to his surroundings, he adjusted the surroundings to him.
“
Sorry Julez, just making conversation,” Kira told him, but was really thinking of the man she had seen at the site with Noelle, the same man she had seen at their office.
“
Yeah, well sometimes you make too much conversation,” her boyfriend spoke up in a low tone. Jordin raised an eyebrow and looked away.
The evening continued to play out and everyone laughed and talked. Kira had even calmed down after getting checked by Julez, and she and Jordin made light conversation. Julez let them talk but did not communicate much with Kira’s boyfriend; he could tell they had little to nothing in common. As everyone started to mingle again, Jordin looked up and gasped.
“
Oh my god, Julez,” she whispered, leaning into him. “Is that…is that Gloria Givens?”
Julez looked up and nodded nonchalantly.
“
Yeah, that’s her. Her husband may be a new buyer to the company, so I invited them.”
Jordin couldn’t believe it. Gloria Givens was one of the most influential young black women around, and her husband Kyle Givens was a millionaire record executive. She leaned back into Julez.
“
The magazine, Caramel, they’ve been trying to get in contact with her people to do a piece on her…you know she has that new fashion line coming out. I can’t believe she’s here,” she murmured low in disbelief. Julez shrugged.