“They’re out there even though I’m not looking for one.”
“You don’t have to, Jasmine, because you have one. But only if you’re willing to open your eyes to acknowledge it.”
“I know you’re not referring to Cameron.”
“Ding, ding, ring-a-ling. Right answer!”
“Cameron and I will enjoy each other for as long as it lasts. And when it’s over we’ll go our separate ways without malice toward each other.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it, Jasmine. Men don’t take kindly to rejection. Remember Tonya’s telling us about the man she’d been dating throwing a bitch fit when she told him she was leaving New York? They rarely saw one another, yet he accused her of cheating on him because she had been the one to end their relationship. And I don’t have to tell you about Danny acting like a lost puppy looking for his master when I moved and left no forwarding address. I’m not even going there aboutyourex. Enough talk about men or the lack thereof. Have you told Hannah about your decision?”
“Yes. She admitted to doing the happy dance.”
“Of course she would. You’re the best when it comes to management.”
“Apparently those at Wakefield Hamilton didn’t think so when they gave me a pink slip.”
“That’s because they don’t know their heads from their asses. Personally I believe they downsized their best employees.”
“They did us a favor, Nydia. If they hadn’t merged, we would still be there doing the same thing day after day until we retired. Hannah is now an innkeeper, Tonya will own and operate her own restaurant, and I will divide my time managing the inn and decorating interiors.”
“You’re serious about decorating again?”
“Yes. Cameron Singleton bought a new house and he wants me to decorate it.”
“You said yes?” Nydia asked.
“I said yes. But it’s not going to be for a while, because the house has to undergo extensive renovations first.”
“Your condo is the best advertisement as to your talent. I’m so happy for you,mija.”
“Thank you, chica. It looks as if I’m finally getting my life together.”
“Better late than never. Are we going to get together before you leave?”
“Why not? I’ll order in.”
“Instead of you ordering in, I’ll bring the food. How about tomorrow night?”
“Tomorrow’s good.”
“I’ll call you to let you know when to expect me.”
“Luego,chica.”
“Later,mija.”
Once she finalized her move, Jasmine knew she would miss Nydia’s bubbly disposition and their bimonthly get-togethers. She could always count on her friend to keep it real. Her foot hit the brake as the car in front of her came to a complete stop. Smothering a curse, she shook her head. Traffic had slowed to a bumper-to-bumper crawl.
“I definitely will not miss this,” she whispered to herself. After her parents relocated, she wouldn’t have to drive to Long Island. Jasmine still could not believe her parents were selling their dream house to move into a cookie-cutter retirement community with all the amenities they wanted and needed for their new lifestyle.
The drive which normally took fifty minutes stretched into more than ninety when Jasmine maneuvered into her parking space in the underground garage, and walked across the street to her apartment building. The doorman on duty stopped her before she made her way to the elevator.
“Ms. Washington, there’s a package for you in concierge. If you wait here, I’ll get it for you.”
Jasmine wondered who had sent her something, because it had been a while since she’d gone online to place an order. She didn’t have long to wait when the man returned with a FedEx package. One of the many perks of living in the building was she didn’t have to be home for a package delivery. Residents could also arrange for drop-off and pick-up dry cleaning services or grocery deliveries.
“Thank you.” Jasmine glanced at the return address: S. Investments, New Orleans, LA. Her pulse quickened. S. Investments had to be Singleton Investments. What, she mused, had Cameron sent her?
