Page 14 of Heart's Masquerade

“At least, but it’s a great start, and I have a lot of hope for keeping our doors open.”

“Me, too,” Jaz echoed. She headed for the door and met Allen in the hall. He’d showered and smelled pretty good this time. He was looking very proud of himself, and Jaz began to wonder. “Allen, did you give a large donation after we spoke?”

He frowned in annoyance and then grinned. “You got me, baby. I can’t resist doing whatever you ask me to do.”

“I didn’t think you could swing that much, but thank you. Everyone in the community can keep enjoying this place a little longer, and most importantly the kids will have a place to play.”

“Damn, do you have to keep sounding like a brochure or one of those sob-story commercials?”

She clamped her teeth together. “I didn’t realize I did.”

He laced his fingers with hers and drew her near. Jaz tried pulling away, but he held on. Why did she have to keep falling for his traps? He tried to kiss her, but she turned her head.

“I’m working, Allen. This isn’t the place. Let me go, please.”

“Come over to my house,” he w

hispered. “I have a movie you’ll like, and I can cook something.”

Allen was a mean cook, but she wasn’t tempted. “I have to work late.”

“After. We can make up, and you can show me how you miss me.”

“Seriously.” She tugged. This time, even with a warning, he didn’t let go, but she hadn’t raised a hand yet to give him a shove before he was wrenched away. Rhashon grasped Allen around the back of his neck and compelled him to move toward the exit.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Rhashon?” Allen growled.

“You had your workout, Allen. Get moving. I’m sure they’re waiting for you down at the gas station.”

“It’s a convenience store,” Allen said.

“It’s a 7-Eleven. Stop pushing up on my sister when she’s done with you, or you’ll answer to me.”

Rhashon’s regulars squealed, ladies who took his class on their break each day just so they could ogle him. For all the weight lifting Allen had done, it meant nothing to Rhashon’s skill and greater strength. Jaz did her best not to laugh as her brother tossed her poor ex out on his ass, and then she moaned thinking he would call his bank and cancel the donation he had given for such an insult. She thought about running out and trying to make it up to him, but lowering her dignity had never entered into her job. Her body was not for trade no matter how much she tried to make the men feel good about themselves as she loosened their holds on their wallets.

Rhashon marched back into the center, eyeing her. “Jaz, I thought you were done with him. At least that’s what Yasmine said and the picture I got at the party.”

She swirled away from him, and continued down the hall. Behind her, the ladies made sure to raise their voices talking about how Rhashon was such a good man looking out for his little sister, but shouldn’t she choose her men better.

Her brother defended her. “Don’t worry about, Jazara. She’s smart and beautiful. She’ll find the one. Then he’ll look out for her, after I approve him.”

She laughed, willing Rhashon’s words from his mouth to God’s ears. Well, the part about the one. Not about his behind approving anyone.

“Jaz,” the director called out, and Jaz popped into her office.

“What’s up?” She sank into a chair and crossed her legs. Doing so brought to her attention that the heel was running low. She’d need to have it repaired at the local shop because she loved these particular heels, and new ones weren’t in her plan right now.

“I think we can do the entrepreneur classes.”

Jaz forgot her shoes. “No way. Really?”

“Yes, we can squeeze it out of the budget now.”

Jaz clapped her hands together. “This is huge. So we can go with my trial, right? To train a group of kids to run their own business?”

“Yup, just like you proposed last year. It’s got to be small and contained. The money we received will sustain us until our lease is up in three years, but I think we can make an impact in that time. If we can get volunteers who have expertise in the areas we need, that would be perfect. I need you to look into the files and find out if any of our previous volunteers are suitable.”

“Done!”

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