Page 30 of Shooting for his Heart
I chuckled. “I mean, I kinda was.”
“I’ll take that since you’re used to seeing professional me.”
“Oh, so professional Vonnie is who I’ve had the privilege of listening to curse and talk shit for the past few weeks?”
“Hell yes. You’ve been working with Evonne, not Vonnie. Vonnie would have put your lovely ex-wife in a chokehold by now. If I were being myself, she would have had a well-whupped ass three weeks ago, and I would have been back at home, working at a drag show.”
It was my turn to laugh. Although I knew it would be a good way to get her banned from doing makeup on any film indefinitely, I would pay good money to see Vonnie kick Clarissa’s ass. She damn sure deserved it.
“Well, damn. I’m glad you’ve been able to exercise some level of decorum.”
“I’ve never been a punk, but I wouldn’t fight her because I can tell she’s never been in a fight in her life.”
“Am I supposed to say thank you? Because I wouldn’t mind seeing the fear in her eyes just from thinking she’s going to have to fight.”
“Unlike her, I’m not a bully.”
“Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Just know I’ll drink you under the table with grace.”
“Well, you’re not saying anything. Let’s go so I can get you a hand grenade,” I said, climbing into the rental.
“A hand grenade?”
“Yeah, I’m about to make you put your money where your mouth is.”
“Are you trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me?”
Her question gave me pause. The last thing I needed was a scandal, and even more importantly, I had no intention of making Vonnie uncomfortable.
“Vonnie, I wouldn’t do that. I’m sorry if I?—”
“Marshawn… shut up with that weak sauce. I was just kidding. Besides, I heard you don’t mix business with pleasure.”
“Who told you that?” I asked, glancing over at her and wondering how that even came up in conversation.
“Gia,” she answered with a shrug.
“So, what? She was giving you a rundown on how things work or what?”
“She was under the silly impression that I had a crush on you,” Vonnie revealed, rolling her eyes as if that were absurd.
“Don’t roll your eyes like I’m some unattractive ass dude. Believe it or not, women have had crushes on me in the past.”
“I’m sure you’re right. You’rekind ofeasy on the eyes.”
“Well, thank you… I think.”
“If it weren’t for the wholeyou being an intolerable asshole thing, you being the director wouldn’t have deterred me.”
“Oh, wow.” I laughed.
“I’m just saying… I’m sure you’re so off-putting as a defense mechanism to keep the women at bay. It works.”
For some reason, that stung more than her original statement. “I’m glad my abrasiveness has kept you from having a crush on me.”
“I didn’t say all that.”
