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FOR MONTHS, JET INSPECTED Levi’s too-good-to-be-true armor for fractures. There wasn’t a crack. Diane and Levi’s relationship blossomed into more showing than telling. When they were together, no one and nothing else seemed to matter.
That inspired Jet to go undercover in search for her elusive special someone. She changed cleaners twice, began to frequent another grocery store chain, and offered to walk her neighbor’s dog to enhance her exercise regimen. What did Einstein say about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? But putting herself out there for different outcomes hadn’t yielded any new possibilities.
Maybe Diane sensed Jet’s increasing loneliness and insisted she meet Levi’s family. The first time she met the Tollivers, it was at a birthday party at their home. They were warm, welcoming, and treated Jet like part of the family. She fell in love with them as much as her sister had fallen hard for Levi.
Jet did her best not to ogle the nice-looking Tolliver men who stood before her in various shades, heights, and features. By all appearances, she was older than them. “This is not fair,” she mumbled to herself as the crowd seemed to clear for one man. The maturity on his face set him apart. She exhaled. Yes, she would be open to a double date.
Levi made a hasty introduction before Diane pulled him away.
“Jesetta,” Rossi Tolliver said in a velvety tone. “What a beautiful, enchanting name.”
She tried not to stare, but the man was magnificent in stature, towering over her. His sculptured biceps, chiseled features, and flawless dark-brown skin fused together to result in male perfection.
Plus, he smelled good. The only thing lacking was a sparkle in his eyes. It was a given when she met a man for the first time, their eyes would light up. Jet had a body endowed with black woman hips that had turned many heads.
How could he not appreciate her form-fitting sundress, freshly shampooed hair, and pampered toenails? Rossi’s eyes didn’t leave her face, and his expression didn’t give her any clues of what he might be thinking.
She played along. “Thanks. Please call me Jet. I was named after my great-aunt Etta and my granny Jessie.”
“Hmm. I like the combination.” He grinned, and deep dimples drew her in.
Growing up, she thought her name sounded old. When she saw a copy of Jet magazine, she began to introduce herself as Jet, and when her finances were in check, she became an annual subscription holder. “Your name is unique as well.”
“Yeah, it is. Rossi has been a family name for three generations.” He was in no rush to leave her side as they changed topics from her career as assistant to the treasury manager at a large banking institution to him as the chief financial officer of Tollivers’ Real Estate and Development Company.
Without realizing it, they had inched their way from the buffet table to a pair of chairs near a bay window.
Making herself comfortable, Jet admitted Rossi was a good listener. “Tell me about your company.”
He shrugged, then stretched his legs. Jet braced herself for some type of boring, long narrative. What she heard was his passion about life.
“Levi and I were close as children. He’s the oldest of three. I have an older brother and two younger brothers. While most of our friends were taking apart cars and rebuilding engines, Levi torn up things, and I fixed them. Word got around, and soon, friends and family nicknamed us the comeback construction kids. We made good money while learning a skill.”
She could imagine him as a boy walking around with a tool belt and a hammer. Jet withheld her giggles.
While talking, he gave her his complete attention. When Rossi did break eye contact, it was to nod or smile at newcomers. “Fast forward to now, and we decided to form Tollivers Real Estate and Development Company. With a discerning eye whether to renovate or restore, we’re hoping to transform some long-forgotten black neighborhoods into majestic masterpieces. That’s our hope and mission.”
This time, his eyes lit up and sparkled. This excited him.
“Excuse me.” He stood to shake hands with an older gentleman and made introductions. “Pops, this is Jesetta Hutchens. This is my dad, Rossi. We call him Ross.”
“Hello, young lady, I see my son is enjoying the company of the second prettiest girl—my wife being number one—” he smiled with dimples “—it’s nice meeting you, Jesetta.”
Standing, she accepted his handshake. “Please call me Jet.”
“Very well, Jet. I’ll leave you two young people to yourselves.” He walked away, speaking to other guests. Rossi waited for her to take a seat, then he sat again.
Jet hoped chivalry never went out of style. She loved being treated like a lady.
“So where do you live, Jesetta?” His eyes twinkled as he pronounced her name with a flair. The man seemed amused to call her by her given name.
“After living in the city for years, I moved to Clayton to be closer to my job.”
He whistled. “You must be paid well to live in an affluent area.”
Although Clayton bordered St. Louis’ city limits, it had its own downtown business district with a hot spot for dining and shopping. She lifted her chin. “I’m young, single, and I have no children. With a degree in finance, I know how to save, and I’ve learned how to shop.”
He laughed, summoning those dimples. “I grew up in the city and enjoy living downtown. Levi and I renovated a former warehouse into multi-level lofts, condos, and a penthouse. I and some of our family members live in the building.”
“Impressive. Nice of you let relatives move in.”
“It hasn’t been without challenges.” He shrugged. “But family is family. If we can’t help our own, how can we help others?”
She liked this man. Not only was he handsome, but smart and compassionate. Jet should have met the Tollivers a long time ago. At least that would have saved her trips to out-of-the-way cleaners. “Yes, it’s always been Diane and me, looking out for each other, but I think your cousin has stolen her.”
He glanced around the room and cranked his neck to peer through the guests. “Nah, I think it’s the other way around. It’s the woman who steals a man’s heart.” He shifted in his chair and smiled.
Could I steal your heart? Could there be chemistry between her and Rossi like Diane and Levi?
Levi’s mother rushed over and interrupted them. “Nephew, the DJ fell down the stairs, do you mind praying for him?”
“Sure.”
His aunt patted her chest in relief. “Having a minister in the family has its benefits.”
Jet felt a sudden disconnect and inadequate. Any hope of a love connection down the road was squashed.
It wasn’t she disliked God or preachers. They knew the Bible better than she did. Although her prayer life was inconsistent, her behavior was respectable.
“Why didn’t you mention you were a minister?” She tried to hide the disappointment in her voice.
For a second time, there was a sparkle in his eyes, and again, it wasn’t directed at her. “I prefer to live the ministry, not only carry a title. We’ll talk later, Jesetta.” He stood and excused himself to tend to the crisis.
Jet could only imagine what their next topic of discussion might be, and she didn’t come to the party for a sermon. She left the corner where they were camped out and mingled, making sure not to cross Rossi’s path again.
Not long after that, there was another Tolliver gathering. This time Jet knew to keep her distance from Rossi. Learning he was a minister had cooled her hot attraction.
However, she soon learned he was not one she could dismiss. She’d never met a man like him. He was quiet and reserved, but his silence was commanding. His calming effect on situations was eerie. Maybe, because he was a minister, the family didn’t question his counsel.
Head strong and suspicious by nature, Jet picked apart whatever he said or did. “I disagree on your logic to help finance a car for your younger brother.” Following him into his aunt’s kitchen, away from the other guests in the house, she challenged him on his advice. “If my sister worked two jobs and needed help to get a car, I would, no questions asked.” She folded her arms.
After glancing over his shoulder at the door, Rossi walked closer to her. “I believe we should help those in need. Boys nourished with tough love grow up to be men who know how to love themselves and others.”
Hmph. She liked the last part, but she never agreed with the tough love philosophy. “Doesn’t sound very Christian.”
“Jesetta,” he said sweetly, “I wouldn’t want to see you or any woman with a man who is financially irresponsible. Take that as brotherly advice.” He winked and grabbed a case of water. Before he walked out, he turned back to her. “Do you mind bringing the bowl of ice if it isn’t too heavy?”
“Oooh.” She stomped her foot in protest. And to think at one time, she thought it would be cool to have an older brother. Rossi squashed that desire at times when he wanted to impart tidbits of wisdom about life as if she were a pre-teen rather than a woman who was inching close to thirty.
On another occasion, they were in the kitchen at Levi’s mother’s house debating ingredients for homemade barbecue sauce. Jet’s task was to make the sauce.
She could feel Rossi’s presence when he walked in and spoke, then graced the women with kisses, except for her and Diane. “What smells good?”
“My sister’s special sauce.” Diane flashed a smile with the underlying pride in her voice.
“Mmm. Do you mind if I have a taste, Jesetta?” Rossi said close to her ear.
Getting a clean spoon, she scooped up a sample. She blew on it first, then guided it into his mouth and waited.
“Hmm.” He closed his eyes, then smacked his lips. “More lemon juice.”
Frowning, she shot him daggers. No man had ever questioned her cooking ability. “I guess you won’t be having any barbecue since I’m smothering each piece with my special sauce. Go away.”
The ladies laughed, then Sharon, Levi’s mother, backed her up. “Rossi Tolliver, get out of my kitchen and leave Jet alone.”
When the Fourth of July rolled around, the Tollivers celebrated in a big way. There was more food than five families could eat, plus water activities for the children and card games for the adults.
Weather in St. Louis was heat and humidity, so Jet found shelter under a patio swing. She was overindulging on her second hot dog when Rossi took residence beside her without asking whether the seat was taken.
He shook the ice in his glass of tea before taking a gulp. “Ahh.” He leaned over at the same time a breeze stirred his cologne. “So, what do you think, Jesetta?”
Trying to hold her breath to keep from being seduced, which clearly wasn’t his intent, she faced him. “About what?”
“How long do you think before those two get hitched?” Rossi nodded toward the couple cuddling in the yard.
If she had found the “right one,” Jet wouldn’t wait more than a few months. But this wasn’t her fairytale. She genuinely was happy for her sister’s happiness. “I hope long enough to plan a wedding.”
He snickered. “If my aunt has her way, she’ll get them in an express bridal lane. She likes your sister. We all do.”
Jet smiled. “Good to know. Diane means the world to me.”
There was a lull in their conversation as screams and yells from the children playing drew every adult’s attention. She nudged him. “If your cousin goes down, I guess you’ll be next.” She had no idea why she said that. Hopefully, it came across as a joke.
“I’ll wait to find the right one,” he stated in a determined tone. He took another sip from his glass but didn’t glance at her. “What about you?”
“Still waiting for the right one to find me.” Jet sighed.
