Page 15 of Happy Endings

“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.” A partnership would help her sales, but she wasn’t sure she should see Andre again. Or be in the same room with a man who didn’t respect her enough to break up with her properly.

Her body reacted to his in ways she hadn’t felt since she moved to DC. Just being near him electrified her body, filling her with a low hum, like one of the vibrators with a fresh set of AAs.

“Didn’t you say you were trying to win a sales contest? You bring in the fresh blood, and we’ll serve them margaritas to help loosen up their wallets.”

“That’s one way to go about it.” Trixie laughed. “I’m not complaining! That was my best show last month.”

“Perfect! Come by tonight and we can hash out the details.”

“I can’t tonight. Mondays, remember?” Trixie was relieved to have a good excuse not to return to the restaurant.

“That’s right.” Keisha’s face fell. “Your sex-ed classes.”

Twice a month, Trixie sat in a room with women old enough to be her mother and talked to them about sex. The evening usually began with contraception and STIs, but sometimes veered into orgasms. She could never have such a frank conversation about sex with her mother. Yet her students taught her as much as she taught them.

She’d love to expand the classes, but it wasn’t practical. The clinic had limited space, and another evening there meant one less night she could hold her shows. Maybe holding pop-ups at Mama Hazel’s would help her reach more women and win sales rep of the year.

“Please,” Keisha begged. “Come over so we can at least talk about it?”

It was hard to say no to her friend’s eager and expectant smile. Trixie sighed. “How about I come after class is over? Ten-ish?”

“Yes, perfect! Andre thinks I’m mad at him, so I’m going to use his guilt to my advantage. We have to strike while the iron is hot!”

Trixie smiled. Younger siblings always knew how to push their older siblings’ buttons. As the youngest of three, she knew how to rile up her brother and sister. Going to Mama Hazel’s again meant running into Andre. Which was a bad idea considering thejabs they tossed at each other during the bachelorette party. But the Boss Babes were right about one thing. Delicious food and great cocktails loosened her customers’ inhibitions and wallets. She should hear Keisha out.

After Keisha drove off, Trixie rearranged the chairs to form a circle. She placed pamphlets on each chair. Her Monday-night routine couldn’t distract her from the conflicting feelings inside her.

Partnering with Mama Hazel’s could be the push she needed to win the ten grand. She’d be able to book more shows if the hostess didn’t always have to worry about food and drinks. Or cleanup. Throw in a presentation about clit gel and vibrators, and they had the ultimate girls’ night out.

But then there was Andre. She tried not to blame him for the rift between her and her parents, but—that fight had put her in a bad place. Then he left her with no warning. Only a stupid note.

Trixie shook her head and blew out a deep breath. Time to focus on the present. She was in a much better place now thanks to the Boss Babes.

If partnering with Andre could make her dream happen, she would, as Reina would say, put on her big-girl panties. If she kept things purely professional, what could go wrong?

Chapter 7

The bell hanging over the front door rang. Was it that late already? Andre looked up from the piles of receipts on the bar.

“Xavier, what’s up, bro!” A smile broke out on his face. “Tell me you found us a sugar mama to take care of all our bills.”

“Andre, my man!” Xavier walked across the restaurant. The two bumped their fists in greeting. “I did, but she didn’t want your ugly mug.”

They laughed. Shooting the breeze with his best friend always lightened his mood.

“Guess I better keep slinging drinks.” Andre picked up his papers and set them under the bar. He and Xavier had grown up in this very neighborhood together. Both had gone away to pursue their dreams, but home called them back.

“You’re done with your delivery shift, right?” Andre asked. He glanced at his watch. “Want a beer? It’s after five.”

“Nah. Don’t want to be tipsy in the kitchen. Last time I did that, I burned a whole pot of greens.” He whistled. “I thought Keisha was going to beat me with a frying pan.”

Xavier volunteered at Mama Hazel’s every Monday night. He’d started coming by when Andre’s mother got sick and couldn’t work in the kitchen anymore. Mama couldn’t relax during herchemo because she worried about him and Keisha doing all the cooking for family dinners. Xavier was able to convince her that he’d make the perfect sous chef.

“Dude, how do you burn collard greens? Wait, it’s best if I don’t know.” Andre chuckled. Only Xavier could forget about something simmering for so long, the pot liquor cooked off. He often got sidetracked when inspiration for a poem hit. His best friend had become a poet while he’d been away.

“I’ll get you a Coke?” Andre picked up a glass and filled it with ice before his friend could answer. They had the same conversation every week, give or take a few kitchen horror stories. Poking fun at Xavier made it easier for Andre to take his mind off Trixie tonight.

“What’s on Keisha’s menu?” Xavier took a long, deep drink from the glass.

---