CHAPTER 29
Ebony
Leaving the set, I got in my Benz and called Phoenix.
“Hey,” was all he said.
“What happened earlier? Why did you leave this morning?”
He had reason to be uptight with me about last night, but not today. Like dudes, even when I messed up, I learned to let it go. Either Phoenix wanted to grind with me or not. His call.
“Until we have a signed contract, I’m not permitted to be at the studio. So you ready to execute so your man can be gainfully employed, so to speak?”
The PR referral by Trés made sense. I’d already arranged a meeting with Christal Jordan. I’d seen her on a BET reality show with other publicists. Having her take me on as a client would make me feel more comfortable than doing business with my lover.
“Daddy, I’m hungry,” the voice of a little girl announced in the background.
What? “You have Nya with you?”
“Yeah, how convenient. I get kicked out of the studio at the same time that my mother is going out of town on a month-long cruise. Sandara claimed she had something to do this evening. Dev has been texting, but she won’t call me. The moment I agreed to be your manager, all—”
“Agreed?”
“I got enough shit to deal with right now, Goldie. I don’t need this bullshit from you too,” he said.
My getting an attitude with him would’ve been easy. I had the upper hand. “I’ll order us something to eat. Y’all can meet me at my house.”
“You sure you’re going to be there tonight?” he retorted.
“Damn, thanks for reminding me. What was I thinking? You’re the one that’s engaged. I’m the one with good pussy and tons of options. Don’t come by.”
“Goldie, don’t say that. I apologize. I—”
“Dadeee,” Nya cried.
He need not get our roles twisted. I was the damn star. He was back to being the manny. “You don’t have to explain. Don’t take Nya upstairs to my bedroom. Y’all can watch television in the living room until I get home. I’ll see you guys in about an hour.”
“Cool. We can go over the details for our contract when you get home, my babe. I’ll have my lawyer get it to yours first thing in the morning, that way I can hand it to Trés. If his ass talk down to your man again, it’s on.”
Phoenix’s problems were not going to become mine. I ended the call without saying “bye” or “I love you, my babe.”