Page 19 of Mr. Right Now
“No,” Erika said firmly. “It’s not. This is all on her. Danielle is a selfish bitch! I knew it, Mom knew it, and so did Ryan. Oh, she played the game well, but the moment you slid that engagement ring on her finger, she flipped the switch and her true self came out. And I let her know just how I felt when I saw her coming out of Sephora at South Bay Galleria two months ago.”
Dante’s head came up sharply and he frowned. “Wait, wait. What?” His little spitfire sister didn’t play when it came to family and he didn’t even want to know what she’d said.
Her eyes narrowed. “She had the nerve to introduce me to her two hussy friends, then said to tell you to call her sometime because you were good together and she didn’t understand why you haven’t taken her calls, since you obviously hadn’t dated anyone else. So, I knocked her on her pompous, silicone ass and told her she’d better be glad I left her breathing, which is more than she had done.” Erika fanned herself. “I’m getting heated just thinking about it. But that’s water under the bridge. We’re talking about the here and now. Let the guilt go and be happy. Talk to Jay. I know she’ll understand. Better yet, you should just make an appointment with her and stretch out on that fancy sofa you bought for her office,” she added with a smirk.
He was still stuck on her hitting Danielle and it took a minute for his brain to catch up. “Erica—”
“Just do it. I don’t want to see you moping around next weekend when all the festivities are going on. By the way, I love the names you came up with for each party.” They’d decided on Blocked in Black for the block party and Journey Forward for the gala. She stood and started for the door. “Mom loves Jayana and I want her to be my new big sister, so get it together and fix your life. You can’t be rolling solo to your own party.”
Still trying to process how she changed subjects on a dime, he asked, “And what about you bringing a date?”
Erika grinned. “I have a sexy, handsome date.”
Dante jumped to his feet. “Hold up. Just who is this guy, and why haven’t I met him?”
“You’ve known him most of your life.”
It took a moment for him to realize who she meant. “Ryan? You’re dating Ryan?”
“Yep, and before you go all scary-big-brother, remember you told me you trusted him with your life and mine.”
She would choose to remind him of thatnow. However, he hadn’t meant romantically. And if he really had to choose a man for her, Ryan would top the list, but still she was his baby sister.
“It sort of just happened…kind of like you and Jayana.” She shrugged. “So we decided to see where it goes. It was a little weird at first because I’d always thought of him as another big brother, but a couple of his kisses cured me of that…quickly.” Erika wiggled her eyebrows. “Who knows? If you get yourself together, we can have a double wedding.”
Dante held up a hand. “Okay, you know what…just go. I can’t have this conversation with you right now.” The thought of her kissing any man, as irrational as it seemed, didn’t sit well with him.
Laughing, she said, “See you later, and go talk to Jayana. It’s time for you to lay those demons to rest.”
Still reeling from the entire conversation, he dropped back down in his chair. Erika was right, though. He needed to talk to Jayana and explain everything, then maybe he could lay his demons to rest.And tell her I love her.
CHAPTER7
“Girl, will you look at this,” Karina said.
Jayana scanned the crowded park, where hundreds of people had gathered for the Blocked in Black Fest. “It’s mind-blowing. I didn’t think this many people would show up.” The house-front façades behind the vendor booths really gave the feeling of an old fashion block party. A DJ had been positioned at one end of the “block” and a stage for the musical headliner, who would perform later, at the other. She and Karina meandered through the space, stopping to chat with people who sold everything from handmade jewelry, purses and clothing, to hair care, books, all mediums of art, and spa goods and services. A smaller section had been set up for children, and delicious smells from the food court made her mouth water. And every business was Black-owned.
“I’ve lived here a year and had no idea there were so many Black Businesses. I’ve been collecting cards, so I can shop and pass them along.”
“I hear you. It’s all about recycling our Black dollars.” The two women exchanged a high-five. Jayana spotted Erika with a group of children and waved.
“Who are you waving at?”
“Dante’s sister.”
“Speaking of Dante, are you two still circling around each other?”
She accepted the small sample of homemade ice cream from a woman and thanked her before answering. “I don’t know if circling is the right word. He still calls, we had lunch in his office last week, but something is still off.” Ever since her mouth slid past her brain and uttered those three little words, Dante seemed to be backing away, but not enough to say they’d broken up. The kisses they’d shared when he walked her to her car yesterday definitely didn’t fall into the category of we’re-not-together-anymore.
“I hope you guys can talk soon. I caught a glimpse of him talking to another fine brother, and I can’t wait to meet them both.”
Jayana laughed. Karina was just as outspoken and she, and, together, they had been trouble for the guys trying to run a game on them. “If you’re talking about Ryan, I don’t think he’s available.” A couple of weeks ago, she’d been coming from the bathroom and caught him and Erika kissing. They didn’t see her and she hadn’t mentioned it.Sort of like what you’re doing with Dante, her annoying inner voice said. Like she needed any reminders. Dante appeared and started in their direction. His confident stroll and drop-dead fine face had women stopping to stare, and she was no different. He smiled at her and her heart started pounding. The intense look in his eyes had her searching for a vacant building where they could indulge in another round ofright nowbecause she wanted him. Now and later. Someone called out to him and he gave her a look of regret, then followed the man. “I thought I would be able to introduce you, but someone just snagged his attention.”
“Again. Well, we might as well go find some food.”
“I’m down with that.” On the way, she saw a few of her students and they hugged her and introduced their parents. Their encouraging words and gratitude warmed her heart, and she hoped she’d always be able to make a positive impact in theirs and other student’s lives. She and Karina ended up sharing a plate of fried chicken wings.
“Oh, my goodness. This is so good,” Karina said around a mouthful. “I’m going back and get more to take home before they close.” She ate and did a little dance to the music being played.
