Page 247 of Savage Bosses

“Auntie Jae, love you,” MJ said. “Are you babysitting me tomorrow?”

“No, the day after that.” I tousled his little brown and blonde curls.

He pouted, and I kissed him on the forehead. “Friday will be here before you know it. You, me, and Brookelynn will eat pizza and watch movies until your parents pick you up.”

“I want to sing on your tv.”

I laughed. “Okay, we will.”

“Yeah.” He held his hands in the air.

Brooke and Marcus waved to me and then left.

“Please tell me that he was talking about an actual microphone and not an—“

“It is. I won a karaoke mic as a raffle gift at work last year.” I didn't want the thought of MJ finding one of my toys in the ether. That was one of my fears. We jokingly said that we all would use that as an excuse, but in reality that was the kind of luck I had in life—epic embarrassment. “You better get going if you are going to make your date with Tim.”

She held up her keys. “Then you better grab your purse so we can go.”

“I don't need a ride.”

“Yeah, you do. I plan to drop you off to giveyouthe opportunity for a ride—if you know what I mean—or at least a kiss.”

I had never had casual sex before my sexy fanfiction weekend. That had been a one-time thing, or was it?

I closed my eyes. “I guess I am that girl now.”

“Stop with the shame.” She rolled her eyes. “Hump him or not. That's your choice. Own it. I'm here to facilitate the option. Make sure you have your phone so Brooke and I can roll up if we need to. You know the rules. “

I hugged her. “Yes, hit the balls, then call 911 crying with a racially ambiguous voice, then call Brooke because calling one of my best friends looks less suspicious than calling Marcus to lawyer up.”

Chantel squeezed me. “Exactly. We must stack the deck as much as possible in this world.”

I released her to grab my wrist clutch. The little green sachet-style bag was big enough for my keys, phone, and my little wallet. I covered for most dating emergencies—being stood up and creepster vibes. “Let's go, or we'll both be late.”

“You just want to avoid my lecture on the state of the patriarchy and its influence on gender and racial politics.”

I knew she was half kidding, but I couldn't resist teasing her a little. “Not right now, Dr. Philosophy. I don't want either of us going to our dates ready to start a movement.”

Chantel pressed her lips together as though she were trying to keep from smirking at my comment. She let me guide her through the house and out the door. I armed my house alarm once we were in her car to let her know I had my head on straight and would be careful.

The drive to the Commodore in Portsmouth was only twenty minutes of city driving from my home in the Western Branch section of Chesapeake. Riding through the cities that made up our “metropolis” was nicer than having to navigate them. The early spring blossoms of trees lining Western Branch Blvd. as it transitioned into High St. was the exact nature that inspired Dani Bond to write her books.

AndI was going on my first date with Ryu to seePandora'sKissin the same area—well, not the same one because that book took place in Hampton and Richmond. A better selection for the local feature would have beenBasis ofComparisonor—

“We're here, daydreamer,” Chantel announced. “Get out of my car and reclaim one for the matriarchy.”

She's a mess.

I gave her a thumbs up. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Save that for Ryu. I heard men like it when we are polite.” She chuckled.

Chantel was in rare form. She was enjoying my situation way too much. Since she felt so charitable, I decided to slide in a request. “Let me fix you up. I know I—“

“Get your house straight, and I'll think about it.” She waved to me and then drove off.

She let me out across the street from the theater. The event brought out a fair amount of people, enough of a crowd that it was not practical for me to get out of a car in front of the building, or to find close street parking. Downtown was lively and bustling for a Wednesday night. There were a few Martinis about, cosplaying as characters from the movie. Weekdays were problematic for some people.

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