Chapter 9
Nine
Nhuri sat cross-legged on her couch with her MacBook perched on a table tray in front of her.
She’d been lounging around her house all day and had finally decided to be somewhat productive.
The half glass of wine she was sipping on was her motivation.
It wasn’t quite five o’clock in Kansas City, but it was five somewhere.
Releasing a heavy sigh, she continued scrolling through job listings on Indeed while an episode of The Jamie Foxx Show played on the TV.
It was the only sound throughout the apartment besides the clicks of her mouse and occasional typing.
Her eyes glazed over the redundant descriptions, and she rolled them.
“Why does everything have to be a fast-paced environment,” she mumbled.
That wasn’t her style of work. Nhuri was strategic.
A thinker. All of this corporate jargon in every description was the same, and it started to get on her nerves and made her consider entrepreneurship.
At least then, she’d know what she was getting herself into.
She exhaled sharply and took a swig of her wine, clicking out of yet another listing that didn’t hold her interest. When her phone buzzed beside her, she barely glanced at the screen before answering.
“Yeah,” she grumbled.
“Girl, don’t answer the phone like that,” Jazmyn laughed. “Who pissed in your coffee?”
Nhuri smirked. “I’m actually sipping some wine.”
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t seem to be doing the job of relaxing you. You sound tense.”
She didn’t just sound tense; she was. Leaning her head against the back of the couch, Nhuri rubbed her temples.
“I’m over searching for jobs already. They either have these ridiculous expectations, want you to have twenty years of experience for an entry-level position, or pay you pennies for a damn senior role. It’s ridiculous.”
“It’s sad, honestly,” Jazmyn said, her blinker sounding in the background. “But you just started looking again. Give it some time. Something will pop up when you least expect it.”
“I need something to pop up now,” Nhuri muttered. “If they ask me to pick up another shift at the club, I’m going to quit.”
Jazmyn couldn’t help but laugh, knowing how serious she was. “I believe you. But that’s your only income now, so don’t mess it up ’cause you’re frustrated. Do you need help with bills or anything?”
“No. Plus, you just hooked me up with some food stamps. You don’t have to do anything else,” Nhuri reassured her.
Jazmyn sucked her teeth. “Girl, please don’t do that. Those food stamps weren’t even mine. You know my cousin gets like eight hundred a month.”
“Damn. They giving them out like that?” Nhuri chuckled. “Maybe I need to apply.”
“You should. You are unemployed. You’d get approved the same day too. It might not be much, but it’ll save you some money in your pocket.”
Nhuri nodded. “Yeah. I’ll see. Gotta apply for a job before I can apply for some damn food.”
“You know what your problem is?” Jazmyn asked in a playful tone but laced with the truth. “You don’t like asking for help—ever.”
Nhuri smirked slightly. “That’s not true.”
Jaz scoffed. “It’s very true. You’d rather stress yourself out than admit you need help. There’s nothing wrong with that, boo. I promise.”
Nhuri didn’t feel that way but wouldn’t tell Jazmyn that. And she didn’t have to. Jazmyn knew her best friend better than anyone. They’d been friends for eighteen years, so there wasn’t much they could get past each other.
“I’m not going to confirm or deny that,” Nhuri grumbled, making Jazmyn chuckle.
“You don’t have to. I confirmed it for you.” The line fell silent for a second, and then Jazmyn shouted, “Wait!”
“What?” Nhuri panicked. “What’s the matter?”
“Didn’t you say something about that man from brunch offering you a job?” Jazmyn asked.
Nhuri squinted as if trying to recall the day.
They left brunch, headed to another spot, and then linked up with a few of Jazmyn’s cousins at a day party.
By the time Nhuri got home Sunday night, all she could do was take the quickest shower ever and climb into bed.
It’d been a while since she had that much fun, and trying to recall every conversation she had that day was a bit fuzzy.
But she did vividly remember Shyriq and her holding a lengthy conversation.
“Shyriq?” Nhuri questioned.
“Yes, girl. The way y’all were so deep in conversation, you’d think he offered you a kidney,” Jazmyn teased.
Nhuri snorted and laughed. “Jaz, please.”
“I’m for real. You probably don’t even remember him giving you his card. When you came back to the table, you were like, ‘That fine-ass man talking about call him if I’m interested in a job. Sir, I’m interested in riding your face and wetting up that luscious-ass beard.’”
Nhuri blinked, her mind rewinding to the weekend.
The brunch spot had been loud, the drinks strong, and the conversation had flowed easily.
Shyriq had slid her his business card near the end, and she had tucked it into her purse without a second thought.
Between job hunting and life’s little stresses, she had completely forgotten about it.
Nhuri’s jaw dropped. “I did not say that.”
“Yes, you did, ma’am. And was proud too.”
Smiling, Nhuri tilted her head to the right. “Hmm. You might be right. He does have such a sittable face and lips. Whew.”
“Girl,” Jazmyn screeched through laughter. “Focus! Worry about sitting that unemployed coochie on his face after you find his card.”
Cackling, Nhuri scooted the table tray out of her way and stood up. She grabbed the purse she wore on Sunday from the bench near the front door and sat back on the couch.
“I swear I forgot all about it,” she muttered, digging through the small pockets.
Her fingers brushed against the matte black card beside a folded twenty-dollar bill before pulling it out. Nhuri stared at the embossed gold letters that the sun from her patio window hit just right. Shyriq’s name was there, along with the number to his office.
For you to call me on your terms, but you can also use that when you’re ready for a job. That’s my office number.
Nhuri recalled that part of their conversation. His offer had been unexpected almost as much as his presence, which shouldn’t have been anything new at this point.
“Did you find it?” Jazmyn asked.
She flipped the card through her fingers. “Yeah, I still have it.”
“Okay,” Jazmyn dragged. “Are you going to call?”
Nhuri glanced at the time on her MacBook. It was only 4:37. Still business hours, but she wondered if she should wait until tomorrow. As if Jazmyn could read her mind, she interrupted her thoughts.
“Nope. I already know what you’re thinking.”
“Do you?” Nhuri teased.
“I do. You’re trying to think of a way to get out of calling him.”
Nhuri playfully rolled her eyes. “You swear you know me,” she chuckled and sighed. “He was cool, but maybe he was just being nice, Jaz. I’d feel like I’m taking advantage. Plus, I’m sure the real reason he gave me his card was to get to know me better.”
“Okay. There’s nothing wrong with that. Get to know him and see what he has to offer personally and for a job. Men with money love helping women they like, and he offered. You didn’t beg the man for a job, but shit . . . You do need one.”
The friends shared a laugh, easing some of the unwanted tension Nhuri felt creeping in.
“I hear you. But,” she mumbled, thinking about Natalia and what she might say. Mixing business with pleasure, especially so close to home, was a dangerous game.
“But what? He was feeling you, and if he weren’t, you wouldn’t be holding his card in your hand. I’m sure he’s been waiting for you to call.”
Nhuri wondered if that was true. It was Wednesday, three days later, and surely, Shyriq hadn’t been sitting around waiting for her to ring his line. A man like him doesn’t have time to sit around waiting, she thought.
“You know I hate mixing business with . . . whatever this is,” Nhuri said.
Jazmyn huffed. “You always act like taking an opportunity is the same as owing somebody your firstborn. Just call the man.”
Nhuri smirked but didn’t respond. Instead, she stared at the card a little longer, tapping it against her knee.
“Fine,” she finally gave in. “Should I wait for tomorrow? It’s almost five.”
“No! Do it now, or I’m disowning you. Stop being scary.”
Nhuri chuckled. “Okay, okay.”
“I’m serious, Nhuri. You had better hang up this phone and call him, then call me right back and let me know how it goes. I have to get ready for this date.”
Nhuri’s brows dipped. “Wait. A date with who?”
“One of my coworker’s cousins. He’s fine, so we’ll see.”
“Don’t embarrass us,” Nhuri joked.
“Me?” Jazmyn laughed, then added, “Never. You need to focus on securing this job. Don’t be awkward either. I know how you get when you overthink shit,” she teased.
“Girl, whatever. I’m calling now before it hits five.”
“Okay. Good luck.”
Nhuri thanked her and hung up. Exhaling an audible breath, she typed the number into her keypad.
She paused before calling, letting her mind replay Shyriq’s deep voice.
He’d been so caring that day, and his generosity prompted her to press the green phone icon.
She stood up and stretched, needing to move her body to rid herself of the nerves building up.
The sound of the phone ringing was all she heard until the line clicked, and a friendly voice answered.
“Good afternoon! This is Michelle with Great Hendrix Co. How can I help you?”
Nhuri was taken aback. She was sure she’d called Shyriq’s main office number. She cleared her throat, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Hi. My name is Nhuri. I was trying to reach Shyriq. This is his office number, correct?”
She needed clarification.
“Yes, it is. Mr. Hendrix is currently in a meeting, but if you’d like, I can take a message for him and have him return your call as soon as he can.”
Nhuri hesitated, weighing her options. “Can you just let him know Nhuri called?”