Page 13 of Emergence and Ascendance

"I did not have a tone."

I definitely had a tone because damn, damn, damn...

I hadn't been able to stop thinking about Christian since Alex handed over his folder two days ago trying to warn me that he was a problem. The onlyproblemI had was trying incredibly hard not to think about him while putting toys to use. I was obsessed with his sexy ass. My time had been spent searching for every detail I could find on Christian. And of course he didn’t have a personal social media account for me to creep on but when I selectedimageafter I typed his name in a search field, I found several more pictures of him. A few may or may not have been saved, but I knew from personal experience what a time Tezni must have had researching him.

"You had a tone friend, and I'm willing to bet everything I own that your pussy did too —a come and get me tone —because that man is sexy as hell."

She made the statement at the exact time I swallowed wine which I almost spit out with the laugh that followed. "Hoe, you don'townanything so that's not a good bet."

"Maybe not but what's the plan? You should just give up the goods so he stays out of your way. If you're not willing to ride that dick like a champ and want a proxy, I'm available." She threw her arm in the air dramatically. "Tap me in, coach. I'm ready to get down and dirty. Reallynastyanddirtywith that fine ass man."

"You are so damn extra."

She smiled widely. "How am I extra because I'm willing to take one for the team?" Tezni frowned. "As you so eloquently stated, I don't own shit, so me being willing to offer up the most precious thing I have in my possession…" She slapped a hand between her thighs and thrust her hips. "…is a show of true love, loyalty and friendship."

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "You fucking him would be purely selfish and not about me, Tez."

"Yeah it would. But if it grants you his favor, then I don't see the issue."

"As much as I appreciate your dedication to our friendship, I've got this covered. The property is already mine. They accepted my offer. When I get there, all I have to do is send a wire transfer to their closing attorney and I officially own the majority of the waterfront property in the city."

"I'm so fucking proud of you. This is a big deal."

"It's a really big deal," I said, smiling behind my glass before I took down the rest of my wine. "I honestly can't believe I did this on my own."

"I can. You know your shit, Scot, but you let your father's bias get in your head. Fuck him."

"I don't."

She narrowed her eyes and I grinned because she knew me better than anyone. "Okay…I do sometimes but I didn't with this and I won't ever again."

"And what about Alex's sexy ass?"

My expression twisted. "Please don't call my brother sexy."

"Why not? He's very sexy."

"Uhh, number one reason is because he's my brother and I don't want to think of him as sexy. That shit is just weird."

"Well he's not my brother, so it's not weird to me, in fact…"

I glared and she flashed me a smile. "Okay, fine. I won't go there."

I wasn't sure if Alex and Tezni ever had a thing, but if they did, I wanted it to remain unknown to me. She was so much like my sister and she had been such a huge part of my life that the thought of her and Alex doing the nasty felt icky.

"Now that you've totally killed my vibe with the whole Alex thing, can we discuss what's going on with you? And it better not involve any of my family members."

Tezni sighed dramatically. "My life is my life. Still trying to decide what to do with this damn salon. I really think it's time for me to let it go."

"Tez, no. You're not doing that. It's your dream and who the hell is going to keep my hair slayed and healthy if you do?"

I raked my fingers through my layers. She had recently done a big chop after my divorce. I wanted a new start so she begrudgingly cut my shoulder length hair into layers that gave me a styled—but not styled—look which framed my face. My jet black tresses were perfect against my chocolate skin. I barely had to do anything to it other than work a few bumps with the flatiron. It was super cute when I wore it straight but when it was in my natural state, my coils were an unruly mess because of the definition of the layered cut. I refused to trust anyone else with my hair.

"You do realize I can do your hair anywhere, right? It doesn't have to be at the shop."

"I'm trying to be supportive. Will you please let me?"

She smiled and nodded. "Do your thing, friend."

---