I haven’t been ignoring you. Work has just been hectic.
Yeah, ok. So look, I get back home late this evening. How about you finally give me that second date tomorrow night?
You mean the first date?
I said what I said.
I laughed out loud.
I can’t tomorrow night. I go to a dance class with my BFF on Friday nights, usually.
Oh yeah? What kind of dance class?
Caribbean dance: Soca, reggae, some hip hop.
That’s what’s up. You any good?
Maybe.
I wanted to tease him a little bit. I found myself more absorbed in this short conversation between Xavier and me than I had been in my work a few moments ago. I didn’t like that, and was prepared to tell Xavier I needed to get back to work when his next text came through.
You’ll have to show me one day. Soon.
I felt moisture building in my core as I thought about doing some of the sexy dance moves for him that we did in class. It’d be especially fun if I were wearing my little pum-pum shorts, as Gabby calls the shorts we wear in class.
A noise outside my office drew my attention. It was only a few of my coworkers walking past, talking, but it was enough to remind me I was still at work and fantasizing about a man I didn’t want to have these types of thoughts about. At least, I didn’t think I wanted to have them.
Xavier, I have to go.
Saturday then?
The man was persistent.
Maybe.
That was the last message I sent before I turned my phone on silent and turned it over, so the screen was facedown. I didn’t want to know if he sent any responses after that.
****
Xavier
“Yo, X. That’s the second piece of ass you turned down tonight. What’s up?” Jamal asked from across the table as we sat in the VIP section of Club Onyx.This spot had been open for about five years. I was a silent partner in the business, so much of my dealings with the club remained behind the scenes. But whenever I showed up, I got the VIP treatment. Along with anyone who was with me, of course.
I looked over at Jamal, who was looking at me as if I were crazy. My eyes shifted to Jason, who’d just happened to take his eyes off his lady for the two seconds when Jamal had asked that question. Jason and Jamal were cousins. Mal, Jamal’s nickname, was about four years younger than Jason and me, but he was cool peoples and a hustler like us. He’d recently left his job as a CPA for a major accounting firm to start his own business. So far, he was doing well.
“I wasn’t feelin’ it,” I answered Jamal as I looked over his shoulder at the woman who was still vying for my attention. She was cute in a pair of tight-ass black leather shorts that showed off her long, lean legs, and a shimmery crop top. Baby girl had it going on, but like I’d told Jamal, I wasn’t feeling her that night. Hell, I wasn’t feeling anyone, except one stubborn ass woman who was making shit difficult.
I’d gotten home late the previous night, and since I knew Chanel wouldn’t be available, I considered giving Mariah a call, but nixed that idea. Chanel never responded to my text about Saturday night, which pissed me off. I began to wonder what the fuck I was doing stressing this much over a woman I hadn’t even fucked yet.
“You all right, bro? You seem to be in deep thought,” Jason pointed out.
I stared at him, wondering if he was teasing or not. When I saw the questioning look in his eye, I knew the question was legit. “Yeah, I’m straight.”
“Ohh, what’s that look?” Tori questioned, sitting up from under Jason’s arm.
“I don’t have a look.” I frowned at Jason, who was smirking.
“Yes the hell you do. Looks like women problems,” Tori ranted.
