Page 96 of The Need to Know

Pops looked up from the papers before him and eyed me. “Eazy.”

“What up, Pops?” I took one of the chairs in front of the desk and got comfortable. I hadn’t seen him since our brunch last Saturday, but I wasn’t all too surprised he was probably keeping tabs on me.

“Good job last night,” he said as he stacked the papers neatly and set them aside.

“You can thank Cease for that. He figured it’d be a nice buffer before we announce our Battle of the Sexes event,” I said.

Pops nodded, humming a little. “About that, you’re paying her ten thousand?”

“She’s worth it,” I assured.

Pops didn’t push. “And who is the male co-host?”

I still hadn’t thought of who could be a good opponent for Paisley, but I knew music well enough to compete with the DJ if push came to shove. “I could do it.”

“For ten thousand?” Pops chuckled.

I waved him off. “Pro-bono, winning is all I need.”

“Oh, you think you got this on lock?”

“This about to be one for the books.” I leaned back into my chair and threaded my fingers together. “Anything else?”

Pops stared at me and then he looked elsewhere as he loosened up. “No, just making sure things are in order. How’s, uh, Nastasia?”

“She’s doing good. I was just with her at the fair. We had a real hands-on experience.” I managed to keep my face even, no matter how close I was to grinning.

“Uh-huh. Should I stop asking about her now, or is she going to be around for a while?”

Pops was funny on the sly. “Chill, she’s going to be around. That’s the homie.”

Pops drummed his fingers on the desktop and bobbed his head. “She seems nice.”

I stood, because I didn’t need to be thinking about her. Didn’t need that distraction. “Yeah, she is. I’m about to do a quick sweep of the club before we open. You need anything else, let me know.”

He let me go and I headed back down to the Club Suite, ready to start my night.

An hour later, things were in full swing as Friday night at BLVCKJVCK was another live event. A couple notable figures in the Atlanta area were seen here and there from VIP to the main floor. Shout outs and hugs greeted me as I meandered through the club making sure things ran smoothly. Security was posted up at the entrance, the Heart Suite, and throughout various corners of the Club Suite. The bar was fully stocked and the DJ had the building jumping with the right records on rotation.

Tonight was another success.

“Hey, E!” A silky voice purred my name as soft lips were near my ear.

It wasn’t the voice I’d left earlier in the evening, so I moved back and turned around.

Damn.

An old casual flame of mine, Bria, was standing there looking extra happy to see me. She worked in the entertainment field, trying to get a leg up as a model. She was gorgeous as hell and extra fun between the sheets, and she understood our arrangement with no drama attached.

I hadn’t seen her in a while, not since she began being back and forth from the A to LA. So, like a gentleman, I went and gave her a hug, but not too close.

Bria hung back and cupped my jaw, smiling into my eyes. “I been lookin’ for you, stranger.”

Bria was standing there in a red leathery dress that clung to her like a second skin, pushing up her perky breasts and poking out her round ass. Her hair was black and curly, cascading down her back and framing her beautiful brown face.

I ushered her to the side where the tables were and raised her hand in the air and twirled her around so I could see the full three-sixty of her look. “You lookin’ good. How’s the modeling coming?”

Bria groaned and her shoulders sagged. “I did a couple of videos, some shots for an Instagram boutique, I got a calendar coming out next year, and now my agent is thinking about acting classes. I’m tired-tired, you feel me?”