10. Marshawn #3
“Go ahead and change shoes. I don’t want to hear you hollering about your feet.”
“How far is this place?”
“It’s about twenty minutes,” I confirmed.
“Oh, well… I definitely need to change shoes. I can’t walk another five minutes in these bad boys, let alone twenty.”
“How did you get down here anyway?”
“Rideshare.”
“It’s a good thing I drove then.” I smirked.
“Well, damn. Why didn’t you think to share that information when I was crying about my feet?”
“I figured it didn’t matter if your feet were already hurting. Besides… we’re walking again once we get to our destination.”
“Oh, yeah.” She giggled, leaning against the building to change her shoes. “Excuse me. I’m a little tipsy.”
“You only had two drinks.”
“While you nursed that same one. I know you’re not trying to call me a lightweight.”
I chuckled. “I mean, I kinda was.”
“I’ll take that since you’re used to seeing professional me.”
“Oh, so professional Vonnie is who I’ve had the privilege of listening to curse and talk shit for the past few weeks?”
“Hell yes. You’ve been working with Evonne, not Vonnie. Vonnie would have put your lovely ex-wife in a chokehold by now. If I were being myself, she would have had a well-whupped ass three weeks ago, and I would have been back at home, working at a drag show.”
It was my turn to laugh. Although I knew it would be a good way to get her banned from doing makeup on any film indefinitely, I would pay good money to see Vonnie kick Clarissa’s ass. She damn sure deserved it.
“Well, damn. I’m glad you’ve been able to exercise some level of decorum.”
“I’ve never been a punk, but I wouldn’t fight her because I can tell she’s never been in a fight in her life.”
“Am I supposed to say thank you? Because I wouldn’t mind seeing the fear in her eyes just from thinking she’s going to have to fight.”
“Unlike her, I’m not a bully.”
“Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Just know I’ll drink you under the table with grace.”
“Well, you’re not saying anything. Let’s go so I can get you a hand grenade,” I said, climbing into the rental.
“A hand grenade?”
“Yeah, I’m about to make you put your money where your mouth is.”
“Are you trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me?”
Her question gave me pause. The last thing I needed was a scandal, and even more importantly, I had no intention of making Vonnie uncomfortable.
“Vonnie, I wouldn’t do that. I’m sorry if I?—”
“Marshawn… shut up with that weak sauce. I was just kidding. Besides, I heard you don’t mix business with pleasure.”
“Who told you that?” I asked, glancing over at her and wondering how that even came up in conversation.
“Gia,” she answered with a shrug.
“So, what? She was giving you a rundown on how things work or what?”
“She was under the silly impression that I had a crush on you,” Vonnie revealed, rolling her eyes as if that were absurd.
“Don’t roll your eyes like I’m some unattractive ass dude. Believe it or not, women have had crushes on me in the past.”
“I’m sure you’re right. You’re kind of easy on the eyes.”
“Well, thank you… I think.”
“If it weren’t for the whole you being an intolerable asshole thing , you being the director wouldn’t have deterred me.”
“Oh, wow.” I laughed.
“I’m just saying… I’m sure you’re so off-putting as a defense mechanism to keep the women at bay. It works.”
For some reason, that stung more than her original statement. “I’m glad my abrasiveness has kept you from having a crush on me.”
“I didn’t say all that.”
“What did you say other than I’m an asshole?”
“I said that I know that you’re off limits, so it helps that you’re an asshole.
Honestly, over the past couple of weeks, I’ve gotten to know you a little better.
Working up close has helped me understand that your personality reflects a necessity to maintain a certain level of structure. I’m not mad at it.”
“But you still think I’m an asshole.”
She smirked. “Not an entire asshole.”
“Oh wow…”
“You’re tolerable.”
“I’ll remember that when I’m ready to return to the dating market.”
“You’re not seeing anyone?” She wondered aloud.
“I have enough on my hands with two little boys to raise. My sister seems to think otherwise. She keeps telling me I need to get back out there. I don’t feel like dating is more important than making sure those boys have what they need in life.”
“Let me ask you this, though. Do you think it’s wrong for single mothers to date?”
“Not as long as they put their children first.”
“So, why is it so wrong for you?”
“It’s different for me because I chose this life… It didn’t choose me. I made the decision to get custody of the boys. I also made the decision to be very selective about who and what I welcome into their lives.”
“So, why can’t you do that while finding someone to make you happy?”
“Who said I wasn’t happy?”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just saying… While you’re thinking about them, someone has to think about you.”
“That’s not important right now.”
“Your needs are always important. You’re always important, Shawn. I hope you realize that before it’s too late.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I nodded.
It was quiet for a while after Vonnie’s assertion. I had no idea how our conversation had taken such a turn, but I was thinking of a way to bring it back to the lightheartedness it had before. Instead, another matter tugged at me.
“What about you? Are you single?”
“Newly,” she said, rolling her eyes and turning to look out the window.
“Can I ask what happened?”
“I got this job. He feels like what I do is a hobby. If it were up to him, I wouldn’t work at all.”
“There are a lot of women who would love that.”
“I’m not one of them. The funny thing is, I always thought I wanted a man to take care of me.
Now, I know that I want someone who supports me.
I really thought he was the one because I had this list of what my perfect man would be like.
He fit the bill. He was handsome, successful, and willing to commit to me.
I’ve never really felt like he was cheating on me.
I thought I’d hit the jackpot. It felt good to find somebody worth my time.
Only to be let down by the realization that I wasn’t worth his. ”
“A man that doesn’t value your time doesn’t deserve it.”
“Thank you,” she mumbled.
I had successfully made the mood even darker. Instead of trying to lighten it, I decided to sit in my feelings for a while. We were only about five minutes from our destination. Beignets could make anyone feel better. Loud cheering could be heard as I slowed to a stop sign.
“Oh my God, Shawn! Let’s get out. I have to get my beads,” Vonnie suggested as we moved past Bourbon Street.
“What beads?” I almost felt silly for asking after Vonnie shot me a look of amazement.
“Here’s a parking spot.” She pointed.
I whipped into the spot. To my surprise, Vonnie was out of the car before I put it in park.
By the time I was done paying for the meter, I had to find Vonnie.
My search didn’t take long because there was a crowd dancing in the middle of the street.
As suspected, she was out in the center doing her thing.
Her natural high, along with the two drinks she’d consumed over dinner, had her shaking her ass among a crowd of strangers.
Gluttonously, I watched her ass bounce for a few seconds before deciding to step in and pull her out of the street party.
Enough people had seen near glimpses of her ass under that dress for my taste.
Just as I stepped off the curb, she stood erect, threw her head back, and yanked down the top of her dress.
Beads rained down on her from every direction.
My steps halted as I took in the sight of her perfect titties. I thought they looked good before, but seeing the way her caramel skin contrasted with those cinnamon-colored nipples dried my mouth and made it water at the same time.
Fuck! She is so fucking perfect.
The widest grin spread across my lips as I proceeded to walk over to her. Once I reached her, I grabbed her by the arm. She yanked away before realizing who I was and bursting into laughter.
“I’ve always wanted to do that!”
“Don’t forget your beads. You worked hard for them.”
“I know, right?” she said as she stooped to gather a few strands of beads from the ground. “I can’t wait to tell Jah and Jenna.”
“You want to go to a bar or something while we’re down here?”
“Nah, I’m going to need sneakers to walk around and barhop the way I want to.”
“You plan on turning the city out?”
“You already know. Where did you park? You owe me some mind-blowing beignets.”
Unable to resist her pull anymore, I used my hold on her arm to spin her around until we were face to face and dropped a kiss on her lips.
My heart slammed into my ribs as her hands snaked up my neck until they clasped the back of my head.
Vonnie pulled me down, deepening our kiss as our tongues did their forbidden dance.
Fireworks went off in my head like one of those cheesy-made-for-TV movies.
For too long, I had longed for her; now, I was apprehensive of the next step.
She pulled away first, taking a step back to put some distance between us.
“Shit.” She panted, lifting those hypnotic eyes to mine.
“Stop fucking cursing,” I demanded.
“Why don’t you make me?” she countered with a slight tilt of her head.
“I can…” I threatened.
“What’s the hold up?”
“What about the beignets?” I asked her.
“Fuck ’em,” she stated in a challenge.