Cree bumped her other shoulder, getting in on the love fest. “She’s right. You deserve this, Janae. Whether it lasts a day or forever, whatever it is, you deserve to have some fun. So stop overthinking it and gather that man and let him know you’re about to ruin him for any other woman who comes after you.”
Janae’s smile broadened on its own as she thought about the handful of times she and Adam had ravaged each other’s bodies.
“I sure as shit am.” Janae’s statement sent them into a fit of giggles, “Besides, he’s halfway to ruining me, so it’s only fair as far as I’m concerned.”
“Well then,” Vanessa said in a matter-of-fact voice. “Let’s get your boy in here to finish this dress. Because as hot as you look in that number, there’s no way Adam will ever be the same once he sees you in this on the runway.”
Janae walked to the mirror and took an appreciative glance at herself. Liking what she saw, she was inclined to agree with Vanessa. She was about to wreck that man in the best way, and she didn’t feel the slightest bit bad about it.
Chapter 24
“Dr. Henderson.”
Adam looked up from his computer screen, slightly annoyed someone was interrupting him. He’d stayed up late to finish some reports so he could attend the fashion show tonight with little guilt and no professional disturbances. He wanted to give his full attention to the event and to one very special lady who was walking in the show.
He glanced up to see the school board president, Dr. Brent, standing at his office doorway.
Adam steeled himself against sighing loudly at her presence. They hadn’t spoken since he’d professionally told her to mind her business. He was curious to see what she wanted now.
“Dr. Brent, how can I help you?”
“You’re working late. Anything pressing going on?”
“No more than usual. I’m just finishing some paperwork to free up my evening.”
“So you can attend the creative arts fashion show?”
There was a lilt to her voice, emphasizing her words in a way he couldn’t yet tell whether it was positive or negative.
“Yes, I am.”
His answer was direct as he gauged her reaction to it. Her face remained impassive, giving him not one hint of where she was going with this line of questioning. Although the tightness in his gut made him pretty certain of her destination even if his mind still couldn’t piece it together.
“Everyone is all abuzz about this show. It seems you’ve managed to get some celebrities to come in to model?”
He nodded. “I used some of my old contacts in the NBA and WNBA. Angel Reese and Brandon Miller jumped on board as soon as they heard and offered their services. There was so much demand once their participation was announced, we had to set up a paid streaming event so people who couldn’t get in could watch it too. I think this event might be the one to put us over the top.”
“Dr. Henderson, I have to admit, up until now, I’ve had my reservations about this fundraising business. The size of that crowd outside definitely makes me rethink my original stance. For your sake, I hope my change of mind isn’t for naught.”
Just as quickly as she’d come, Dr. Brent was gone, leaving him to replay the whole visit in his head. He was certain he could get this budget under control, but how he did that completely relied on how successful Janae’s plan was. If this didn’t yield the monetary results they hoped for, they were both screwed, and not in the fun way he liked.
“Ten-minute warning, people! Suck it in, zip it up, and let’s go!”
Adam scanned the room for the commanding voice and found James standing in the center of the double classroom across from the gym.
Adam couldn’t help but smile. The few interactions he’d had with the young man, James was always reserved and easygoing. Tonight, that James seemed to have been replaced by a charismatic leader whose followers scurried to do his bidding.
People buzzed about everywhere in the room. Any more folks and he was certain they’d easily reach their safe occupancy benchmark. Between the clothing racks and the several sets of large dressing screens positioned around the room to create privacy for the models to quickly change in and out of their clothing, there was only enough space to walk.
Adam carefully navigated through the room, weaving through garment racks and models zipping from one side of the room to the next to get to James. The young man pulled his gaze up from the clipboard in his hands, smiling when his eyes found Adam walking toward him.
“Hi, Dr. Henderson!” The excitement bubbling off of the teenager electrified Adam. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Did you really think I’d miss your big moment? Your mom tells me you’ve put together an amazing collection that would give Versace a run for their money.”
James’ smooth dark brown skin radiated a heated glow. “She has to say that, she’s my mom.”
“I think we both know your mom is a straight shooter. If your work was trash, she’d still support you, but she wouldn’t lie about your skill.”
