Stepping onto the elevator, I pressed the button for my designated floor. As soon as the doors opened, I was hit with a familiar face I hadn’t seen in years. A smile creased my lips while my cheeks hiked. I instantly threw my arms around them and squealed with excitement.
“Jasonnnnn! What are you doing here?” I screamed.
“What’s up loca? I ain’t think you were ever going to show. I was trying to surprise you, but your assistant just told me she didn’t think you were coming. I guess I lucked up,” he said and hugged me back.
“I would’ve been back days ago if I knew you were looking for me.”
Jason was one of the many mixed-race men that entered the modeling world because of his looks. The nerve of him to be Blexican and gay. Nothing about him was attracted to a thing a woman possessed. We could beat his face but not his meat. He played no games. And the funny thing about it all, he dressed like your average guy. First glance you would think he’d be ready to take you down when really, he was interested in the nigga beside you. You would never know if you didn’t come with the right inquiries.
We walked several shows together and even did shoots together. He was more like a gay best friend than anything.Seeing him here meant he was on a hiatus from the modeling world. I didn’t blame him if he was.
Stepping back, I gave him a once over as he did the same for me with his eyes resting on my protruding belly. My pregnancy was a shock to everyone else, so I knew it would be no different for him. He smirked as his head tilted to the side. We addressed the conversation once during our younger days but never revisited it. It was a thing where we both voiced our opinions on kids and left it where it stood since we both agreed they weren’t anything other than a financial headache.
“Seems like you changed your mind on kids after all. I guess the headache is manageable now, huh?” He touched my stomach, and I nodded joyfully.
“Very,” I answered still holding onto my smile. “I’ll see how much hell he gives me in a couple months. He’s on his way out soon.”
“He’s lucky. Once you love something there’s no tearing you away. Let me walk you to your office so you can get off your feet.” He stretched his arm out, and I looped mine with his.
I was ushered across the floor still gaining eyes from the personal assistants that worked the floor. Deena had to take charge and assure the rest of her colleagues there was better things to do than stare at me. She clutched when I needed her to. I had no doubt in my mind her wheels were turning, and she was creating her own list of twenty-one questions.
Entering my space, I dropped my purse and coat off at the wardrobe closet before taking a seat on the sofa. Jason sat across from me taking in my office. I would’ve mind him joining the team as a male agent. Jason Torres had a few accolades himself and knew how to separate business from personal much like myself.
“You’ve done well for yourself C’for. I heard about LOL through friends of friends and the haters of course but to see it…I wish nothing but more success. Are the kids as passionate as we were?” he inquired.
“I think they’re more passionate if I’m speaking honestly. They show up ready to work and put their best foot forward. I couldn’t ask for better kids. You know, we’ve been getting a lot of boys lately. You should come by one day and see if joining the crew is something you can do.”
Sitting up, he rubbed his hands together as if I’d hit the nail on the head. “Well, since I’m moving to the Springs, I was wondering if you could spot me in several ways.”
“What does that mean, Jason?” I was curious to know what all favors he needed from me and how far they stretched.
“First, I need somewhere to crash until my house is renovated in Dew Valley. So, I’m looking at maybe three to six months of room and board. Second is a job. I need something to do instead of sitting around blowing bread.”
“You’re reading my mind Jason. I guess it’s like old times. Toneshia is here as well,” I said pointing to the wall to my left acknowledging Nesh’s office next door.
“Word? I can’t wait to see my girl. Oh, she made the broads upset the way she stepped for you. We need to go drink and catch up, all of us,” he suggested.
“I wouldn’t mind. I’ll hit her and tell her you’re back in town. Did you bring your boy toy with you?” Jason kept a man on his side but the last two years we worked together, he entertained a designer named Relic who had just got noticed and was on the uprising fast.
“He’s in Japan right now. He should be back in three months. I was hoping our home was done by then. He sends his hello’s. You know he always wanted you in his clothes.”
“I know. Maybe after I drop my baby boy we can put on a show and have the kids’ model for him. I think it’ll be dope, especially since his name is running through the celebrity’scircles now. A lot of us are having kids and needs some pieces for the little ones.”
He nodded saying, “I like that. I’ll run it by him for real. So, on the room and board?”
Laughing, I said, “I have a room for you, and I don’t need money. Your hard work here should be more than enough to cover your board. I’ll have Deena draw up some paperwork for you.”
“You’re a saint, you know that,” he said clasping his hands together.
“Be prepared to work, Jason. What made you move to the Springs? We’re overpacked as it is.”
“It’s where Relic wanted to settle down. He’s ready for a quieter life than what New York and LA provides. I thought of you instantly and remembered all the stories you told me when we were working. I’m just trying to be a good husband to my husband,” he chimed.
“At least one of us saw the altar. How long has it been?”
“Three years under this ring girl. He’s ready to adopt and everything. My submissive ass can’t tell him no so here I am following his orders and making a home for when he returns. Never thought I’d see the day. We were true playa’s back then.”
“We had a time indeed. I got you though. Get with my assistant right outside my door and go from there. That stack of paperwork on my desk is calling my name,” I said standing.
