Page 56 of Body Language
I blinked slow, leaned back in my chair, and crossed my legs. “Excuse me?”
She smiled, but it was that tight, fake-ass smile. “I don’t need you for the finale tonight. I’ll call you if I need you again.”
For a split second, I just stared at her. My chest rose slow, my nails tapped the armrest, and I had to count to three in my head because the old me would’ve flipped the damn vanity table over and beat her ass.
Instead, I smiled.
“So let me get this straight. You’re so busy being jealous that your nigga — who, by the way, ain’t even your nigga — gave somebody else a little attention, that you decided to mess with my bag? Baby, your beef is with him, not me. Don’t get mad at me because your position is weak.”
Her jaw ticked. I leaned forward, grabbed the bag, and pushed it right back toward her.
“Here’s the thing, sweetheart,” I said, gloss shining under the lights. “I don’t need your money. I make my own. You can’t cut me out of a bag that already has my name on it. And just so we’re clear, I don’t wait for your calls. You wait for mine.”
Arlette smirked, leaning one manicured hand on the vanity. “That’s my man you’re running behind.”
I laughed so loud it echoed off the mirrors.
“Let me let you in on a secret. Play your part because here’s the thing, these niggas gone play theirs. You keep putting your faith in a man, setting yourself up. The minute he gets bored or sees another pretty face, he gone sprint toward it like it’s the finish line. Don’t matter how good you look, how smart you are, or how well you ride — if he don’t give you a title, don’t you dare stress over him. You get your bag, get your power, and keep it moving. Stop acting like one nigga is the finish line when you’re the whole damn race.”
I leaned back in my chair, crossed my legs, and gave her a slow once-over.
“Arlette, let’s be real. Instead of checking him, you’re bold enough to come for my bag? That’s some bitch shit.”
Her nostrils flared, but I kept going.
“See, the difference between me and you? I never had to give a man my pussy to get what I wanted. Not once. My mind and my mouth been cashing checks before I ever thought about spreading my legs. So, let me really fuck your head up. Kendrixhas never even stuck his dick in me. Not once. So ask yourself why are you really pressed. Matter fact, ask yourself what I’m doing that has him moving different… because maybe you can learn something. ”
I leaned forward, dropped my voice just enough to cut deeper.
“You don’t stop any bags of mine, sweetheart. I am the bag. Men throw money just to breathe the same air as me. You mad? Be mad at him. But don’t ever think you have the power to block my shine because I shine regardless.”
I smoothed my hair back, stood up slow, and looked her dead in the face.
“The money’s good here, but I can sit up and talk with a man and make better. I’ll be out your hair tonight.”
I let a smirk curl at the corner of my mouth.
“But do me a favor, Arlette. Let me know how much money you make without me when it’s all over.”
Her face cracked just a little. Not enough for her to admit I hit a nerve, but enough for me to see the truth. I reached for my purse, unbothered, when my phone buzzed against the vanity.
I glanced down. The name lit up the screen, and I smiled slow.My favorite man.
God really knew how to replace a loss with a blessing.
My Favorite Man:Landed in town for the weekend. Got a seat waiting for you at dinner. You free?
Arlette thought she could rattle me? Please. God doesn’t close doors on me without opening up a penthouse suite.
I grabbed my jacket,looked in the mirror one last time, and typed back a quick
Always free for you
I pushed through the back door, the night air kissing my skin like freedom itself.
“Niv!”
Kendrix’ had the type of voice that could make a weaker woman stop in her tracks. But I wasn’t weaker.
