“Y’all name y’all colonizers?” I gasped. “I thought this was all Black-owned and operated.”
“He’s just a contracted worker. Mr. Sinclair and him have been working together on some special grapes for the new wine.”
Girl, huh?
I looked at her. “Special grapes?”
“I don’t know.” She sighed like she couldn’t understand it either.
“And that new wine is already launched. What is his ass still doing here?”
“I don’t know the answer to that either.” She flipped through her little clipboard like it’ll have the answer.
Right.
More money we ain’t got. Marlon was just giving it out at this point.
I waved to the man because he was still staring at me. That woke him from his daze and made his whole skin turn pink. He smiled briefly then walked away as my eyes tracked him.
Weirdo.
“Lavender. Is Mr. Sinclair in?”
She looked up from her clipboard, blinking like I’d pulled her out of something important. “I don’t know. He may be with Spades.”
I frowned. “He’s playing spades at this hour of the day while at work?”
Lavender’s expression shifted immediately. “No—Spades. The horse. I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”
I stilled.
“Girl, why would I know anything about him and his damn horse?”
“Well…” she hesitated, shifting her weight. “If I remember correctly, the horse belonged to your mother first.”
Oop.
That caught me off guard.
For a second, I didn’t say anything and Lavender cleared her throat, realizing she might’ve stepped into something she shouldn’t have.
“I, um… I left my clipboard behind. I’ll go see where Mr. Sinclair is. Just wait right here.”
“But you have your?—”
“Be right back!” And she turned and power walked away from me.
“Oh!” I lifted a hand after her. “Can you grab me some Tums too? I’m a sensitive stomach girlie and that chilli gave me heartburn.”
She nodded quickly. “No problem.”
“Thanks, queen!”
She gave me a small, confused smile and hurried off down the hall.
I watched her go, then glanced around.
I didn’t really need her to find Marlon anyway. Marley said his office was opposite mine, so all I had to do was find mine first.
