“Ha! I assure you I can look mighty bad.
“I wouldn’t believe it,” he coolly disagreed, his light eyes focused on the menu.
“Besides, being a woman in the business does have its share of advantages.”
“And disadvantages?” Alex guessed.
Topaz’s arched brows rose a notch. “Oh yes, definitely those,” she admitted, smoothing her hands over her formfitting flare-legged jeans. “Especially when people think they can run over or get over on you because of it.”
“Like this guy?” Alex noted, jerking his head toward the direction Alfred Majors had taken.
Topaz nodded. “It’s all worth it, though. I do love being my own boss.”
“Same here,” Alex agreed, leaning back in his chair. “In spite of all the headache, I wouldn’t trade my ‘boss’ status for a thing.”
“Headache?” Topaz repeated. “Your paper is where it’s at right now. Everyone I know reads it more than the mainstream publications. How much of a headache could it be with success like that?”
“Have you ever heard of employees?” Alex inquired, simply joining Topaz in laughter.
The question launched an enthusiastic conversation about their respective job pressures. Their laughter resonated in the quiet club, which had yet to be mobbed by the scores of professionals who descended on the downtown establishment after the five o’clock hour.
“Xan! Topaz!”
The talking entrepreneurs ceased their chatter, turning in the direction of the shouts.
“What’s up, Xan? Long time no see, kid!” Centron Holmes greeted, shaking hands with Alex while his twin brother kissed Topaz.
Alex blinked, his surprise mounting as he realized two more of his close friends were acquainted with Topaz Emerson.
“What’s wrong, man?” Ronald Holmes asked, having spotted the man’s expression.
“I see y’all have met before,” Alex mentioned, his striking gaze shifting between the smiling threesome.
Centron and Ronald looked down at Topaz. They each planted a tender kiss on her temple.
“This our girl!” Centron bellowed.
“Best mechanic in town,” Ronald added.
Topaz laughed. “I’ve never fixed your car.”
“It’s your presence,” Centron explained, placing one hand across his chest.
“Anyway,” Alex groaned, shaking his head once the laughter quieted. “So what y’all doin’ up in here?” he asked the brothers.
“Aw, man, we always come to the Bay Club after work,” Centron shared.
Alex snapped his fingers. “That’s right, the firm is across the street,” he remembered, referring to the advertising agency the two men operated.
“Say, listen, y’all got plans tonight?” Ronald was asking.
Alex and Topaz exchanged a brief glance, but shook their heads.
“Cool, why don’t y’all come on out to our cousin’s club?”
“What club?” Topaz asked, folding her arms across her chest.
“The Limit.”
“That’s on the other side of town, right?”
“Mmm,” Centron confirmed, with a nod toward Alex, “they’re havin’ a birthday party for Goldie Sims.”
Topaz snapped her fingers then. “I knew there was something I needed to do,” she said in a hushed tone. “I have to go get that boy a present.”
“You know Goldie too?” Alex blurted in a knowing tone.
“I know Goldie’s peeps sent out invites to everybody he knows,” Ronald interjected.
Alex shrugged. “My damn office is such a disaster area, the thing’s probably right in there,” he sighed.
Topaz reached for her purse. “Y’all, I need to go get Goldie’s present. See ya at the party,” she was saying as she kissed Centron’s cheek first, then Ronald’s. “Hope to see you tonight,” she told Alex, fixing him with a dazzling, lingering stare before she walked away.
Centron and Ronald noticed and fixed each other with knowing looks. Topaz had been gone a few moments when they realized Alex was glaring in their direction.
“What, man?” Ronald questioned.
Alex didn’t mind his agitation showing. “How the hell all y’all niggas know this sista and I don’t?”
