“Speaking of boning,” Bronwyn said, turning to Jackie. She was the absolute worst at being subtle. “Are you seeing anyone? I mean, I know it’s been a while since you’ve—”
“I’m still not dating, Bronwyn,” Jackie interrupted, picking up a forkful of crab fried rice. “You and Kenny can stop trying to fix me up with every straight man, single lesbian, and pansexual healthy Hotep you know. It’s never going to happen.”
Jackie didn’t date. At least, not in the traditional sense. After Katrice, then Antonio, it was easier to compartmentalize her life. Relationships were too emotionally taxing. Sex was sex. A basic human function. If she needed to blow off steam, she’d hit the apps or call one of her old buddies on standby. Itches would get scratched. Orgasms would be had. Granted, none of it came close to what she had experienced with Antonio. Yet, knowing the deal upfront was better than being heartbroken.
Bronwyn shrugged as sipped her drink. “Never say never, my love. The universe has a funny way of making things happen.”
Jackie paused mid-bite at Bronwyn’s words, which did little to put her mind at ease.A funny way of making things happen. Instead of bringing comfort, the words felt like a premonition.
“You okay, Jackie?” Tanika asked.
Jackie pushed back her plate. It felt as though rice were lodged in her throat. “Yeah, I think I’ve lost my appetite.”
CHAPTER 6
“Work it PJ! Give me face! Yassss!”
The camera clicked nonstop as PJ posed under the bright lights in the SoHo studio. Antonio had made it about twenty minutes into the shoot, sneaking into the background to observe. He scratched his head and took in the massive loft’s surroundings. With the draped fabric, stark white background, and funky lighting, it looked less like a photo shoot for a sneaker and more like a high-end, very abstract fashion campaign.
And what the hell was PJ wearing?
PJ was shirtless, his torso oiled down like an exotic dancer in a Magic Mike review. A massive faux fur vest enveloped his slim frame, and a pair of track pants slung low on his hips. His locs were braided up to look like antelope antlers. It was…strange. It certainly wasn’t something he would have approved of if he was PJ’s agent. Had Jackie signed off on this?
As if summoned by his thoughts, Jackie appeared out of the shadows. She was dressed in a white suit with impossibly high nude-colored heels. It reminded Antonio of some kind of Olivia Pope,Scandal-era outfit. Unlike the super polished character portrayed by Kerry Washington, Jackie had an edge to her. Then again, Antonio knew that underneath the designer threads and cutthroat demeanor was a round-the-way, small-town girl. There was a softness at her core, reflected in a laugh that rang out so musically. He’d run a touchdown in a championship game, but making her laugh had been one of Antonio’s greatest feats. Damn, he missed that Jackie.
Antonio stared at her side profile as she tapped away on her phone with one hand, a cup of coffee in the other, a Chanel bag hung off her forearm. Her full lips, in a perfect shade of red, were pouting as she concentrated on her screen.
Before he knew it, Antonio’s feet were moving in her direction.
Jackie was too distracted to notice that Antonio was standing next to her. Good—that just gave him more time to steal glances of her face. Okay, and maybe he wanted a look at her ass in those white slacks. She’d always reminded Ant of the actress Nia Long, haircut and all—Jackie was Nia’s thicker, hotter doppelgänger. Antonio could verify that, having gone on a date with the actual Nia Long once. Jackie was90s fine, as the young kids said.
Antonio leaned down near Jackie’s ear. He inhaled her perfume before speaking. “So, is he supposed to be an antelope? Or what?”
Jackie slowly turned her head in Antonio’s direction. Through gritted teeth, she asked, “Why the hell are you here?”
“I’m just here as a colleague, Miles. That’s it.”
“Steele, why do you insist on butting your nose into PJ’s business? What’s your angle? Seriously.”
“No angle.” Antonio put his hands in his pocket. “None at all, Jackie. It’s just…the kid’s nervous. This is his first major endorsement.”
