She didn’t say anything. Just stared at me with tears in her eyes and a quivering bottom lip. A couple of minutes later, she jumped up, snatched her purse from the table, and walked off. Think I ran after her? Said anything? Apologized? Nah. I didn’t move a muscle. I bit into the pizza again and watched her leave.
26
MAHOGANY
“Hey, I’m right behind you,”I said to Addison, as I pulled up at The House of Nova Ray. I saw her walking inside and wanted her to know that I wasn’t too far behind her.
“Okie doke, see you inside,” Addison said before we ended the call.
With a deep breath, I flipped my sun visor down and did the usual—fixed my hair, applied another coat of gloss.
“Everything will be okay,” I said to myself, thinking about the last time I saw him in person. God, he was so… cold. I didn’t have time for that shit today. I wondered if he would have the same attitude with Addison here or if he’d be nice. Knowing him, Addison being here wouldn’t change a damn thing.
At the sound of my phone chiming, I checked it. It was Emerald. She’d been trying to sit down with me for weeks. I hadn’t been able to. Not because I was avoiding her or anything like that. I was actually looking forward to sitting down with her. I just hadn’t been able to because The House of Nova Ray on top of my other projects had kept me busy as hell. THONR more than any of the other assignments though. I was severely behind and that wasn’t only my fault. Crescent played a major role inhow behind I was. However, because he was being a jerk I made THONR top priority to make sure every t was crossed and every I dotted.
After telling her I would see her later, I grabbed my things and got out of the car. The walk up to the building was spent the same way before. With a heavy beating heart full of anticipation. I took a deep breath and brushed my curly hair out from my face.
I took my braids down and swapped them out for a bushy, curly wig with brown highlights throughout it. I was dressed professionally, as usual, in a pair of light gray slacks, a matching suit coat that was cinched at the waist, and a pair of red pumps. Underneath my jacket, I wore a white buttoned up top. I looked good. Felt good too. I was in a good mood.
The transition between Duke and I was moving smoothly. Did I miss his company? Sometimes. Rarely. I enjoyed the peace of mind being alone gave me. I didn’t have to worry about a damn thing anymore. At first, I had to perform. Had to make sure I was chipper and didn’t give him attitude. I was glad those days were over. I was free to be Mahogany and Mahogany period. I didn’t have to worry about being Mahogany the wounded, trying wife. I just was. And it was pretty refreshing.
When I crossed the threshold into the building I was taken aback by Judah standing at the entrance and not Crescent. So caught off guard that I frowned and drew back.
Judah stepped forward with his hand extended, wearing a smile. “Good afternoon, Mahogany. I was just telling Addison that Mr. Carter couldn’t be here today.”
Of course he wasn’t here. Asshole. I couldn’t stand his ass. He was really taking this little ‘beef’ to a new level, wasn’t he? I wasn’t surprised he was letting his personal feelings interfere with business. He’d done it before when he complained about Shardae knowing damn well the girl was more than capable. Jerk. I wanted to curse him the hell out. The wheels in my mindgot to turning as I thought about the nice-nasty email I was going to send him at the end of the meeting. A nice-nasty email that would be uncalled for, since technically he didn’t have to be on site. I didn’t care. I was sending it anyway.
“A heads up would have been nice,” I said, shaking hands with him.
He nodded. “I understand. He’s out because of a personal family matter. Sadly, his mother passed away last night.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Oh no. I’m… wow… I’m sorry to hear that.”
I felt like an asshole. Damn. His mother passed away? Instantly, I wanted to check on him. Wanted to make sure he was alright. Well… as alright as possible. I made a mental note to send him a text at the end of the meeting. That was a lot better than that nice-nasty email I was thinking about sending, right? Just imagine if Judah hadn’t told me he lost his mother. You know how fucked up it would have been had I sent that email?
“Yeah, so… I’m stepping in while he’s away.” Judah paused and ran his tongue over his bottom lip. “That’s alright with you, Mrs. Mills-Morris?”
I nodded. “Ms. Mills works fine.”
His eyebrows raised. “Mmhp. Alright, Ms. Mills.”
I could see the wonder swimming around his brown eyes as we made eye contact.
“Oh wow! Look at that floor,” Addison said, snatching our attention from one another. “Good call, Ms. Mills. I love it. I would have never gone for the European white oak. You never cease to amaze me, boss lady.”
I had everyone calling me Ms. Mills now. At the end of last week's meeting, I told the team I didn’t need to go by Mrs. M anymore and to call me Ms. Mills or Mahogany. The room fell silent and they gave me concerning looks but neither of them asked me anything. I concluded the meeting without furtherexplanation. Tami told me they had been talking about the change around the office since, wondering if I was okay or not. They even wanted to go as far as getting me a care basket, but I told Tami to have them dead that idea. I didn’t want a damn basket. I was fine.
“Yeah,” Judah said. “Your eye for design is immaculate. Crescent made a great decision going with Couture. You do residential design, right?”
I twisted my lips up at him and gave him a look. “Yeah, for select clients.”
Not your ass.
I did residential regularly, but I wasn’t working with Judah personally. He could get that idea out of his head. I’d gladly hand him off to one of my associates though.
He caught my drift, stroked the side of his face and shook his head as to say, ‘not like that’. I huffed and continued through the lobby area where they’d just finished up. We were a few months from total completion, and I was highly satisfied with the way things were coming together.
I smiled, looking up at the grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling, thinking of what The House of Nova Ray would be once it was done. Despite the way things were between Crescent, and I hoped he was pleased with the work I had done.
