today.”
“Oh?” Stone said. “Is she a new client?”
“No, she is not a client. She is the general manager of the supper club, Sandy’s. Tonight, Roy Ayers will be performing, so I will have to take a rain check. I also just received a call from my stalker.”
“Now what?” Stone asked.
“I know, I just rushed her off the phone. I keep the conversation as professional as possible.”
“I hear that, man,” Stone said. “So is your dinner date a prize?”
“I would have to say a rare jewel like a ruby comes to mind. Diamonds have nothing on her.”
“What is her name, may I ask?”
“Lola, man, Lola Bridges. So let me do me, and I will check with you later…”
Chapter 2
Christmas was definitely in the air as Lola finished getting ready. Her mom had brought her a cup of Earl Grey and some homemade rolls for a snack. Lola was still undecided about what to wear that night. Sipping her tea, she glanced at the closet and chose a baby gray two-piece mini leather skirt set. She also chose a black leather halter top and a pair of baby gray leather boots. She would wear her hair up in a bun so she could wear her gray Shearling (coat) and the matching hat. She chose a soft pink lipstick and blush for her makeup, and on her eyes, a baby gray shadow with a dark grey eye pencil for a dramatic look.
Her jewelry was a set of black and grey pearl earrings that dangled, and a matching necklace. Lola was an easy five-foot-four inches with caramel skin, big pretty brown eyes with eyebrows that were painted on at birth. Her hair came straight down her back and she had lips that begged to be kissed, and perfect teeth. She had a body that showed she cared and worked hard to keep it. A sheet looked good on her. Her wit and intelligence were the combination of both of her parents. She was a daughter with two other siblings. She showed drive and determination in everything she did, and had a huge sense of humor, and serious insight in connecting to others, like today. Sterling was on her mind like a blazing fire out of control. Wow! she thought to herself, I have to calm myself down. “Right,” she said aloud. Maybe after the first kiss, she chuckled to herself.
She was admiring herself in the mirror when the phone rang. She picked it up and said, “Hello?”
“Hey, baby, how are you doing tonight?”
Her mind screamed Storm. “Hey, Storm, how you are?”
“I am okay,” he said. “Would be better if I could see you tonight.”
“Sorry, I have plans. Besides, that would not be a good thing.
“Oh,” he said.
“Yes, I am sure between your business and your selfish dramas that you can find some helpless victim to handle your needs, whatever they are. As you know, after dealing with you, I am taking a much needed break, meaning staying away from your bullshit and your slick ass.”
“I did not call to argue or upset you,” he said with an edge in his voice.
“Good,” she said, “because I have to go. Bye, Storm.”
Storm now that is a true annoyance, Lola thought to herself. As she looked in the mirror, she saw traces of a frown line between the creases of her eyebrows. “Now, that is not a good thing!” she said aloud. The ringing of the phone startled her, and this time she checked her caller ID. It was Sasha.
“Hey, lady, what time will you be at the club?”
“At seven,” Lola said.
“I will see you there.”
“Okay.” Sasha seemed to detect Lola being distracted.
“What is the matter?” Sasha asked.
“Storm just called.”
“Tell him to get a life on another planet,” Sasha said. “What did he say?”
“He wants to get together for the holidays. I find that funny, because when we were together, I could not find him. Anyway, I ended the conversation quick and sweet. By the way, I have a new prospect having dinner with me tonight. Also, Toni and Melinda will be there too, so you all can have dinner together.”
“Cool,” Sasha said. “A little catch up on what’s going on with everybody. I will probably be eating at nine.”
“Is everything okay with you, Sasha?”
“I am okay,” Sasha replied. “I needed a break.
“We can all hang out until nine. By then, Sterling should arrive.”
Sasha asked, “As in sterling silver?”
Lola replied, “As in the best money can buy.”
“Interesting,” Sasha said, “See you in a few.”
Lola hung up the phone. That’s my girl, Lola thought. Sasha is one of my closest and dearest friends. This will be great, Lola thought. The “Feline Pack” will be together tonight. Melinda should arrive by seven and Toni is already there. It’s on. Lola finished changing her pocketbook. She then grabbed her coat and hat, and headed downstairs. She locked her doors. It was decided a long time ago that when everyone was out, one had to secure the home front as if going on a long vacation.
*****
Across town, Sterling was contemplating his attire as well. As the cab drove down 133rd Street and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, Lola could see the lights twinkling into the night. Earlier on, she had purchased two gold square planters, and filled them with red and green marbles. She then placed a white branch in each that stood six feet tall. She wrapped lights of different colors around its stem, and then added clear lights to every branch. On the door, she had two exquisite gold balls hanging on the inside, and at each window she had lights that looked like gold stars. She had also moved the ashtrays to opposite ends of the front door so that the patrons could continue to smoke and not mistake the planters for ashtrays. Sandy’s looked like an exquisite Christmas card for a Jazz/Supper Club.
As she and her mother exited the cab, Toni came out to assist her mom with one of the cakes, saying, “Your husband has been asking for you.”
Summer replied, “I am sure he has, let me get these cakes to him.” As they headed to the kitchen.
My girl, Toni, is looking absolutely hot in that red pants suit. With a white satin vest with red rhinestone buttons, she looks beautiful, Lola thought. She asked Toni as she headed back, “Did our guest arrive?”
She replied, “Yes, and that the group is having dinner with your uncle right now.”
“Cool,” she said, while handing her the tickets for the night and started heading to the office. Lola stopped to say hello to Mason who was head of security. “What’s happening, Mason? You look nice tonight,” she said.
“Thanks, Lola, you look rather hot yourself.”
“Thanks. How is the new baby?” Lola asked.
“He is great when he sleeps.” They both laughed as they headed toward the bar, and they saw Bella checking everything as she was counting her stock. “Good evening, Bella, how are you tonight?” Lola asked who she thought was the greatest bar mixer in the world.
“Fine, girl, you are wearing that gray,” she said.
“As if that cream suit with a side slit and black halter isn’t working?”
“Hey, anything to make the bars cash register ring.”
They started to laugh. Everyone knew that most clubs made their money at the bar. They had decided a while ago to forgo the average dress code. The bartenders and bar maids dressed to impress on most nights, depending on the theme season or occasion. Heading to the office, Lola saw Chris as he prepared the stage for