Pretty Fly for a White Guy: The Complete Series Collection (27 page)

“
I know all too well,” I said, “But I’ll have to think about it.”

I told him that I’ll think about it, but I had absolutely no intentions of hanging out with his fiancé. He must have experienced brain damage from all of the jet lag that he’d been experiencing because I don’t know why he would ask me a question like that. Maybe he thought that we were more friends than we actually were, he couldn’t be that naïve. We played a few games and then headed to the bar.

I ordered water and with lemon and got a weird look from Kenneth.

“Don’t look at me like that, I’m watching my figure. Those calories just aren’t worth it to me right now,” I said.

“I won’t judge you, although I doubt if a couple of drinks would mess with your figure,” he said.

He was right but I really just wanted to keep a clear head. I didn’t need to drink any alcohol and then say or do something that I would regret. Weird things happen when you drink around an ex-boyfriend, that’s just leaving room for regret and mistakes. I didn’t want to jeopardize what I had with Desmond because he’d been nothing but good to me.

“I’m having fun already, and so I can do without the drinks,” I responded.

“Suit yourself,” he shrugged as she ordered his dirty martini from the bartender. I wrinkled my nose at his order of salty vodka.

“Yuck,” I said.

“You don’t have to drink it. I think it’s delicious,” he said.

“Well you’ve been known to have some questionable taste,” I said.

Before he could make a snide remark back to me, I spotted two very familiar people enter through the front door. I wished that I ordered a drink immediately after I recognized them. The two tramps of Eastwick had walked in, and it was none other than Loren and Amelia.

“You won’t fucking believe who just walked in the door together,” I said.

He looked over at the door and almost spat his drink out, “That’s something you don’t see everyday.”

“What in the hell is Amelia doing here? I thought that she was still in New York.”

“You and me both,” he admitted.

“I find it funny that they ended up hanging out. I mean what are the odds? Like attracts like apparently.”

“I don’t even want to know how that friendship is going to end. They are way too much alike to be around each other for long,” he said in amusement.

“Finally, someone else can give everyone a show. I’ll be waiting for that showdown because it’s not going to be anything pretty,” I laughed.

“I’ll drink to that,” he said as we clinked glasses and kept a low profile.

*

The following evening I went out to dinner with Desmond. Our dinners were no longer of the professional nature, and I was grateful for that. I could say all of the things that were on my mind, because I was holding back before. I could shamelessly flirt with him without worrying if I was doing the right thing. He was mine to flirt with, and that made me a very fortunate woman.

“So you’re trying to tell me that you think Orton could take Batista,” Desmond said in disbelief.

“Oh hells yeah, don’t let his small size fool you. He’s powerful and he’s cunning…and sexy,” I laughed.

“If I didn’t think you cared about me I would be jealous,” he said. “But seriously if Orton faces him in WrestleMania, he’s going to have his ass handed to him.”

“We will see about that,” I countered.

“I smell a wager coming up but we’ll discuss that after it’s confirmed that Orton is fighting him in the main event.”

“You’re on.”

I loved being able to talk trash to him, and I loved that he was a wrestling fan. I was a closeted fan before I met Desmond. Once we found out that we both loved it, we made it our business to be at odds at who we thought were going to win different matches. That was just another reason added to the list of why I cared about him so much.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” He asked.

“I was just thinking about how happy I am to have you in my life. Sorry if I came off like a creeper.”

“No I didn’t mind, I just wanted to know what was on your mind. I feel the same way about you, being with you has made my life so much better. I think we’re a good fit for each other,” he said.

“
In what way?” I asked before I took a sip of my Merlot. 

“I think that you’ve pushed me beyond what I ever saw for myself in my business, and I’ve made you loosen up,” he observed.

“I think that you would have gotten to where you are without my help, but thank you anyway,” I said.

“I doubt it, but I appreciate you for believing in me,” he said as he reached over the table and took my hands in his. His thumb brushed across my knuckles, and I felt it all over. It was such a simple and sweet gesture, but it held the promise of more.

I involuntarily bit my lip to keep from groaning. My senses were on overdrive because it felt as if it had been forever since I’d had sex. I still hadn’t gone all the way with Desmond because I wanted to wait until I felt completely sure about that decision. Once you go there with someone you can never go back, and I didn’t want my heart broken. I don’t know what it is, but things hurt a lot deeper when a man that you’ve slept with does you wrong. You feel the cut much deeper because they’ve seen you naked, and have been inside of your body.

“Of course I believe in you. The second thing that I noticed about you was your talent,” I shared.

“
What was the first?”

“I noticed how perfect you were,” I said, “You looked as if you just stepped off the set of a GQ photo shoot. It was icing on the cake to figure out that you designed your own clothes. Aside from your looks, your talent speaks for itself and anyone with an eye for fashion knows that. I mean your sales are a clear indication, my boutiques can’t keep you in stock.”

“I just design what I like to wear,” he said.

“And that says a lot about your style. It is kind of weird to see men walking around dressing like you. They look good, but you look amazing.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere with me,” he said, “Are you just saying that to get in my pants?”

I laughed, “I don’t know about all that.”

“Well it’s working, if you want it come and get it.”

“I plead the 5
^th
,” I said with a blush.

“But seriously, do you think that tonight may be the night for us?” He asked with a more hushed tone.

The euphoria that I was experiencing had quickly come crashing down. You can only play with fire so long before you get burned.

“I don’t know, I’ll have to think about it,” I answered hesitantly.

I really just wasn’t ready. I told him that I wanted to wait until we had sex because I knew how men can change as soon as they get it. I needed him to prove that he was the real deal first. He was very persuasive, but he always backed off when I made it clear that I wasn’t ready and so I hoped that he would stay consistent in his behavior. I hated feeling pressured because that only caused me to retreat and not give him. My father always said that I was a ‘stubborn lil’ thing,’ and I’ve prided myself on that.

“Whoa, no need for that face,” he said, “I see that you’re not ready, and that’s okay.”

I gave a visible sigh of relief, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize because there’s nothing to apologize for. I will wait until our wedding night if I have to. But if you refuse me then I’ll think that you’re just using me for my good looks.”

He was still the same Desmond that I knew and liked. Not many men would have waited for the amount of time that he had. He was wonderful and perfect for me in that moment because I needed someone that could exhibit some patience while dealing with me. A lot of men would have lashed out in frustration, but he has always seemed to maintain his cool. He just kept solidifying my thoughts to move forward with him sexually in the future.

“
Well if we ever got to that point, I would be all over you. I wouldn’t be able to wait until the evening, we would have to disappear during the reception,” I said.

“Don’t tempt me woman,” he laughed.

“I’m just being honest,” I said before I took another bite of my salmon.

“I really don’t want to change the subject, but I want to ask you now while it’s on my mind,” he said before he paused and looked at me.

“Okay,” I responded expectantly.

“You know that I have the new women’s line coming out soon, and we have to find a signature girl,” he said.

“Yes, did you have someone in mind?” I asked.

“Don’t freak out,” he said.

“Don’t get on my nerves by drawing this out any longer.”

“We should use Loren,” he said quickly and then covered his eyes as if I was going to throw my fork at him.

Now that I think about it, throwing my fork at him wasn’t such a bad idea. He knew how I felt about that chick, and I didn’t want to be around her if I could help it.

“You know how much I hate Loren,” I said as I carefully placed my fork on my plate and placed my hands in my lap.

“I know but put on your business mind really quickly and then tell me what you think,” he pleaded.

I was resistant to what he asked, but I still did it. I could see the value in what he was asking because Loren has burst onto the scene and was taking Atlanta by storm. I knew that soon she would be in New York or LA, and it would be great to get her in the studio before her rates went through the roof.

“Alright,” I sighed heavily, “She is your best bet right now, and I think that I may be able to put business over my personal issues with her. I’m just not sure if I’ll be in the studio the entire time because I may get the urge to slip a pin in a shirt.”

“Great,” he said excitedly, “I already asked her, and she agreed. She’s promised that she won’t bring any drama to the set or to the brand. I really think that she’ll be able to maintain her professionalism.”

I found it odd that he asked for my advice over something that he had already made a decision about. It sounded as if he had a full conversation with Loren anyway, and I fought my annoyance. There was no need to fuss over it because it was his line, and I was just a consultant. He could do whatever he wanted with his brand, and so my opinion really didn’t matter.