When the meeting finally ended, we stood, and Langford told my boo, “Walk them out, Sienna.”
We stepped into the hallway together. I could hear phones ringing, printers running, and somebody laughing down the corridor.
Saint, Sincere, and Big A automatically moved toward the elevators. Sienna fell in beside me.
“You got a card?” she asked, already unlocking her phone.
“Nah,” I said. “But you got a phone.”
Her mouth curved. She handed it to me without hesitation. “Put your number in.”
Her screen was open to a new contact. I typed my number, then hit call so mine would log hers. When my phone vibrated in my pocket, it felt like a little contract had been signed.
I handed her phone back. “Now you got me. Use that power responsibly.”
She giggled devilishly. “I promise I will.”
Ahead of us, the guys hit the elevator button. I caught Saint glancing back. He was smirking. Big A shook his head like he’d just watched a child touch a hot stove. Sincere’s face was unreadable, which told me everything.
They stepped into one elevator car. Sienna stopped at another.
“I need to get back upstairs,” she said, turning toward me. “My assistant will email Sincere the proposal, but I’ll be calling you personally. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together, Tariq.”
Most people didn’t use my full name. Coming from her, it sounded like a dare.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’m here for whatever you need, sweetheart.”
Her eyes dropped to my mouth for half a second, then back up. “You promise?”
That shit made my dick rock up immediately. “Fuck yeah, baby.”
“I don’t do anything halfway. If we’re going to sell this, we’re going to sell it.”
I closed the space between us and softly grabbed her neck. As I pushed her neck back, I could feel her heart suddenly beating against her rib cage. Then I softly bit her ear and could immediately smell her juices. “I look forward to it.”
Then I let her go.
Her elevator arrived with a ding that startled her. She swallowed hard and cleared her throat. Then she stepped into her elevator, doors sliding close between us. I watched the floor numbers start to climb, then turned and jogged down to catch up with the crew.
By the time I got outside, the wind slapped me back to reality. It was cold enough to see my breath. Sincere, Saint, and Big A were standing just past the revolving doors, conversing as they watched traffic.
“There he go,” Saint said when he saw me. “Mr. PR.”
Big A shook his head with his mouth twisted. “You really volunteered to play boyfriend?”
I sucked my teeth. “Nigga, did you see her? I’d volunteer to play anything to get her to ride my dick.”
Sincere’s eyes cut to me. “You threw yourself on a political grenade for some pussy.”
I laughed. “Let’s not act like she not bad. Y’all saw her. If sitting next to this PR princess gets the project off the ground, so be it,” I said with a shrug. “We need his support. This makes him feel safe. I can play my part.”
“Your ‘part,’” Big A repeated. “You a playboy, Reek. This is not your lane.”
Sincere shook his head. “This will never work. You don’t do serious. You get bored. You get messy. This isn’t just some girl from a party. This is the councilman’s daughter, tied directly toa project we already got protestors marching against. If you slip, it’s not just your heart you’re jeopardizing. It’s our whole play.”
I heard him. I respected him. I also wasn’t backing down.
“Y’all relax. I got no baby mamas, no secret fiancées. Pretending to be locked in with one woman for a few events? That’s a piece of cake.”
