Page 101 of Seven Days in June

O-Mike scratched under his arm and gestured at Ty. “You got my paper?”

“Yeah, I got it.” Ty shifted from one foot to the other. The cash was stuffed in the pocket with his notebook. But this didn’t seem right. O-Mike seemed jittery and desperate.

Ty had to stay focused. Rap would get him out of Providence. Rap was the plan.Focus.

“Where the studio at?” asked Ty.

“Gimme my paper,” he said, sniffing, “and I’ll show you.”

“Princess in there?”

“Nah.” He stepped closer to Ty. He smelled like weed, cigarettes, and something sour.

This felt wrong. And he was alone. For a small, breathless moment, Ty considered running. O-Mike had a dude with him. At least one, maybe more in the house.

Hand in his pocket, Ty pushed the emergency contact number on his phone.

Mr. Hall, he thought wildly.Pick up.

Chapter 24

Fabulous History

BACK AT CECE’S PARTY, IN A RELATIVELY QUIET AREA BY KEN’S GRANDFATHER’Sgrand piano, Eva was meeting new people.

“I’m sothrilledto get you two in the same room,” gushed Cece, clasping her hands under her chin. “Jenna Jones, meet Eva Mercy, esteemed author ofCursed. Eva Mercy, meet Jenna Jones, fashion editor and host ofThe Perfect Find.”

Eva reached out to shake Jenna’s hand, but the scarlet-lipsticked stunner said “I’m a hugger!” and crushed her to her boobs. She smelled fantastic, like expensive perfume and coconut oil.

Draped in a long-sleeve paisley maxidress plunging to her navel (vintage Dior) and shoulder-skimming beaded earrings (Nairobi street market), Jenna radiated strong Fashion Eccentric energy.

“Oh! I’ve seen your web series!” Eva gasped with recognition. “The one where guests make their dream fashion piece, and you partner with retailers to sell it?”

“That’s me,” she beamed with charm. “Sorry, can I ask where you got that cameo ring? I’ve been staring from across the room. Such opulence.”

Eva held up her hand, and all three women peered down at her rusted, nicked—but striking—oval ring. “It’s an old vintage ring of my mom’s. Feels like it was made for me, though.”

“It’s vintage, all right.” Jenna turned Eva’s hand left and right. “Judging from the casing, it’s over a century old. I bet there’s fabulous history tied up in that ring.”

Cece grabbed a glass of wine from a cater waiter’s tray, the wheels turning in her brain.

“Eva, how’s the film going?” she asked smoothly. “If you haven’t hired a wardrobe stylist yet, you two should make it happen.”

Eva and Jenna gasped at each other. Cece was floating on air.Connection, made.

“What movie?” asked a young, cute guy who’d materialized next to Jenna. He looked so much like Michael B. Jordan, it was criminal.

He reached out to shake Eva’s hand. “I’m Jenna’s husband, Eric.”

“Eva, tell him about your movie!” Cece’s expression was so sneaky, she might as well have rubbed her palms together and cackled. “Eric’s a Golden Globe–nominated director and Sundance darling. I, uh, heard you’re in the market for a new director?”

Eva’s jaw dropped.

“Dump Dani Acosta,” Cece whispered in her ear. “He’s your guy.”

With that, her work was done. Cece rushed away to make sure the kitchen cut off the hors d’oeuvres soon. It was past 5:00 p.m., and everyone had been day-drinking for hours. If she didn’t get these Negroes out of her house soon, they’d start tearing shit up.

Both Jenna and Eric were looking at Eva expectantly.

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