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“How the hell can a non-smoker create a formidable brand?” He glanced over to Roberto to include him in the conversation. “Running the business has to be about more than numbers. You can’t just have corporate definition knowledge of the difference between harvesting, fermenting, and aging tobacco leaves. You have to understand the taste, the flavor, the nicotine levels from one stick to another…the body and how it holds in your mouth…the…blends that work best with your palate,” he offered with so much passion. “That shit has to be felt, not given in research reports for marketing. How do you understand the feel?”
I didn’t even have to think twice. With my chin low but eyes straight ahead, I pointed to the leggy broad with a lazy lean against the railing, pulling from our latest line she approved on my behalf without knowing it.
Roberto, understanding my process, snickered behind me. We were used to this question. It was widely known I didn’t drink or smoke, but I ran the hell out of all of my enterprises. Having an established smoker at this proximity had been a crutch. I’d never made secret of it…from anyone but her.
Eyeing me with respect and something else, Zebedee nodded.
“Let me go get my wife,” Sadik interjected. “Mrs. Ellis has been throwing them back all day. This should be an interesting ride home.”
When he took off, Josie was right behind him. “I’m going to talk to First Lady a bit. Be right back.” She rubbed my arm before heading that way herself.
Zebedee inched closer, getting into my private space, and spoke low. “Are you two good on having new love interests around each other?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
He nodded, eyes going over to Ashira, who hadn’t moved much since we’d been out here. “I just know a certain ‘agent’ I’ve trained to mask emotions.”
“Shit.” I scoffed, “You’ve trained a master.”
“She’s good,” his voice cracked, expressing caution about my doubts. Zebedee was protective of Ashira. The two had a bond built long before I came into the picture. She admitted to not being responsible with their friendship which was more of a mentorship. Sometimes he acted like a father figure. I knew he was simply checking the pulse of Josie being here today. I honestly didn’t expect Ashira to stay the entire party. She didn’t fuck with me like that. I was as shocked as everyone else to see her here and for so long. “She did mention running into your therapist at the mall last week. She tell you about it?”
I shook my head. Ashira hadn’t mentioned shit about the therapist to me.
“Talk to her,” he advised. “The therapist said some salient shit I can tell is weighing on baby girl’s head…heavily.” Zeb’s expression was hard. Serious.
I had too much on my mind to begin to process that. Too many energies under one roof. My roof. If Ashira wanted to kick it about the therapist, she would have to come to me. Most shit I discussed with her was confidential anyway; she probably didn’t want me to know.
“I got you, man,” I lied as I leaned in for dap.
“See! That’s why I don’t get down with that church shit like that,” Tasche shared her truth, laughing.
“Excuse me?” Lex demanded. “Why? What’s wrong with church?”
“It be fuckin’ with peoples’ heads. Lex, yo, you used to go and then came out married to the damn pastor’s son. Then I takethisone”—she referred to Bilan—“to a random church, and she fuckin’…flees the state and comes back with a damn baby.” The girls gasped and laughed their asses off.
“And now, y’all telling me about Sin. TheSinfrom the projects. The nigga that used to terrify Harlem World, fuckin’ poppin’ them thangs so bad, and now he out here in Jersey with a house on the fuckin’ lake with armed guards outside posted up. I saw at least two of them, by the way.Thatnigga wanna get married, and get the shit done in three months? Nah, man. Fuck going to church. I like my sanity.” Her head swung harshly from left to right as she reached for one of the shots she had lined up on the table. “My ass risking meeting Lucifer!”
Now,thatshit was funny as hell!
“Sorry, ladies.” Sadik appeared out of nowhere. “Mrs. Ellis has to say goodnight.”
“Damn. She ‘on’t get a say in that?” Tasche spit, shaking her head.
“Nah. She don’t. And don’t start your shit, T,” Sadik’s voice didn’t match his words. Although my faculties were slightly impaired, I could perceive the playful banter between the two. “You good on getting home?”
“Awwwww!” Tasche smiled. “That’s why you my favorite, Deek. That’s why I fucks with you. But nah. I’m good. Pastor sent Lex in a car. Y’all rich people don’t drink and drive.”
“Wait!” Corinne demanded. “That fine ass man drinks?”
“Nah! I wish!” Tasche shared. “It’ll damn sure help get the stick out of his ass!”
Lex swiftly slapped Tasche’s arm. “Tasche, his parishioner is here. Chill.” She wasn’t playing.
But who was the parishioner? Bilan had been sitting here this whole time, listening to them cut up. Lex used profanity and drank, and didn’t hide it. What had her tripping now?
“I don’t know about all that,” Sadik blew off the joke. “Just want to make sure you’re good.”
Bilan finally stood and gave her goodbyes to the group individually before taking her husband’s side. Shit. That man was fine as hellandhad delicious swag. Bilan was more reserved in personality. I had noticed over the years she didn’t talk as much as her husband, but not in a weird way. She was sweet and very mannerly. I would have never thought she’d be so close to Tasche. Lex was more of Tasche’s speed, for the most part. Incidentally, I met Tasche over a year ago and had seen her a couple of times since. I liked her, too. She was great fun and hugely confident.
