White Lines (27 page)

Born wasn’t excessively flashy, which Dorian admired. Jada, too, seemed like the type who wouldn’t go looking for trouble. But Dorian could also tell by how well she got along with Sunny that Jada could probably brawl with the best of them if it came down to it. Sunny was not the type to get along with fake, phony, stuck-up bitches. And she sat there beside him, having a passionate conversation with Jada. Both men secretly felt that the closer the women they loved became, the better the chances of them continuing their lucrative business deal. The two men got along well, since Born had brought in a ton of money for Dorian in the time they’d been dealing with each other. Sunny and Jada becoming friends would only be an asset to their working relationship.

The women made small talk, discussing the latest entertainment industry gossip, and fashion. Jada listened, interested, as Sunny described a trip she and Dorian had taken to St. Bart’s in the Caribbean. By the time the food arrived, the women were fast friends, and both Dorian and Born seemed pleased.

Everyone began to dig in. Born said a prayer before his meal, and dug in wholeheartedly. He didn’t change around anybody, and Dorian and Sunny were no exception. Jada didn’t even bother him about it, as he talked with his mouth full and didn’t use his napkin often enough. She
was too busy intently watching Sunny easily crack the lobster’s shell using a small silver utensil that the waitress had given her, to reveal the most succulent, delicious-looking lobster Jada had ever seen. Sunny saw Jada coveting her food, and she broke off a piece and put it on Jada’s plate. “Try it. You’re staring so hard, I’m scared I might choke on it.”

Jada laughed, and wondered why she liked this girl. Sunny looked like she belonged onstage, but what a mouth she had! Jada liked her straightforwardness, and by the end of the night, the ladies were arranging to meet for lunch the following weekend.

Jada thought Sunny exuded sophistication. She seemed like a woman who was used to having the finer things in life, and who would settle for nothing less than the best. Sunny liked Jada’s style as well, and thought she was perfectly suited for Born. The two looked so cute together. They finished each other’s sentences, and they looked at each other like there was nobody in the room but the two of them.

By that point in their relationship, Sunny and Dorian had lost that lovey-dovey feeling that exists in new relationships. She gave Dorian pussy when he gave her presents. They were still in love. But it wasn’t like it had been when they were younger and just starting out. In the beginning, Dorian wasn’t dealing with all of the pressure to stay on top. He used to pay attention to Sunny, and he spent just about every waking moment with her. But after a while he was always busy, always working. Still, they loved each other. But it wasn’t fun and exciting anymore, as it appeared to still be for Jada and Born.

At the end of the night, the couples parted ways, and Jada and Born left the restaurant and went home to a night of straight sexual recklessness. They had a lot to celebrate. Born’s rise to prominence was all but guaranteed now that his deal with Dorian had been finalized. After downing a whole bottle of Moet together, Born made her scream until the sun came up, and Jada wondered how she would be able to face the neighbors. It was the best time in their lives; they were so completely happy.

That weekend, Sunny called Jada and asked if she wanted to go shopping. Dorian was having a big party, and Born and Jada were invited to
attend. This was the type of invitation one does not turn down, and Jada had no idea what she would wear. So Sunny’s suggestion of a shopping spree was perfect, and Jada prepared to go find something fabulous to wear.

Sunny and Jada perused the racks in Saks, searching for white dresses. Dorian had finally taken Sunny’s advice, and was throwing himself a birthday party. The theme was all white, and both women were determined to shine on the arms of the men they loved. It was May, and spring was in the air. They were both excited about what would definitely be Brooklyn’s party of the season.

Sunny held up a silk charmeuse pleated dress. “Try this on,” she said, and then turned back to the racks. Jada looked confused. Sunny looked around, sarcastically. “What the hell you looking at? Can’t I help a sister out?”

Jada smiled, and snatched the outfit. “I don’t think it’s gonna look right. I can tell you that right now.” Jada was always self-conscious about her scars being visible with a plunging neckline, and the garment Sunny had given her had very little fabric. But the fabric felt divine in Jada’s hands.

“Just trust me, and try it on,” Sunny coached. “I can see you in that. You need to show off a little more skin, girl!”

Jada looked again at Sunny’s outfit that day, and could see how she might think Jada was overdressed. Sunny had on a pair of denim short shorts, which drew attention to the thickness of her thighs, coupled with a baby? and a pair of espadrilles. Her hair was pulled off her face. Jada smiled skeptically, and went to the dressing room, where she removed her jeans and tank top to try on the dress. She held up the dress that Sunny had given her, and looked at it. It was not the type of look that Jada would have gone for on her own, since she didn’t want her scars to show. But she decided to try it on to see if Sunny was on to something. She pulled the silken fabric over her head and fastened the clasp at the nape of her neck. To her surprise, as flimsy as the dress was, it covered all her imperfections. She swirled around and noticed the way the fabric shimmered in the lighting of the dressing room. She smoothed the dress
down over her butt and looked at her reflection in the mirror. The dress fell midthigh on her curvaceous frame. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she couldn’t believe her eyes. She looked absolutely breathtaking in the dress, and she turned sideways to get a better view. She loved it. The bottom of the dress hung sexily over her thighs and showed off her gorgeous skin tone. The top was awe-inspiring with its elaborate neckline, and Jada couldn’t believe her eyes. She was momentarily entranced, until Sunny rudely banged on the dressing room door.

“Come on!” she yelled. “Stop stalling, and let me see. The shit can’t be that bad.”

Jada smiled, and pulled the dressing room door open. She stood in front of Sunny, and the other women milling around, and everyone gasped. Sunny smiled widely. “See? I told you this was the one. Stick with me, kid!” She punched Jada on the arm playfully. “You look
mah-velousl”

Jada frowned, slightly unsure. “It’s so short!” She turned and looked at the way the pleats accentuated her ass, falling only slightly below it.

Sunny laughed. “That’s the point,” she said.

A white woman with a classy short red haircut was standing close by. She looked at Jada, and agreed with Sunny. “Honey, with a body like that you should be wearing something even shorter.” The woman winked and gave a thumbs-up, and Sunny smiled, approvingly. Sunny handed Jada a pair of white lace Manolo pumps, which Jada’s petite feet slid into easily. She looked in the mirror and loved her look from head to toe. She felt like a star. Jada glanced at the price tag hanging from the dress, and shook her head. Sunny saw the look of alarm on Jada’s face and patted her reassuringly. “Don’t be afraid to spend the money they make,” Sunny said. Jada looked at her. “You have to learn to enjoy the fruits of their labor, because otherwise, what’s the point? You only live once.”

Sunny pulled her own garments off the rack and went into the dressing room to try them on. Jada looked at her reflection in the mirror once more. She loved the outfit, and knew that Born’s chin would hit the floor when he saw her in it. She thought to herself that Sunny had a point. You only live once.

The ladies purchased their pricey outfits, paying cash and loving the shocked looks on the faces of the white cashiers as they did so. As they left the store, Jada wondered what Born would think if she told him that she had just bought a five-hundred-dollar pair of shoes and a seven-hundred-dollar dress for one night. But then she thought about the thousands of dollars he spent on his beloved car and his own clothes and sneakers. Jada decided that like Sunny, she would feel no guilt.

Next Sunny and Jada went uptown to get their hair done. Sunny introduced Jada to her stylist—a man named Rae—who was so openly gay and unashamed of it that Jada loved him instantly. After much convincing, Jada added weave extensions to her already long hair, giving it extra volume and length for a much fuller, sexier look. Her hair hung in loose, curly, chocolate waves, and she loved it. Sunny had her short hair washed and the ends trimmed, and then blown straight. She added shoulder-length extensions, and had her eyelashes professionally enhanced. Her lashes were long and dramatic, drawing attention to her sexy eyes. Afterward, they went to lunch. And as they enjoyed their pizza, they got to know each other without their lovers being present.

“So, are you ready for all the pressure Born’s gonna be under now?” Sunny asked.

Jada wasn’t sure where that comment came from, as she ate her pizza. She didn’t know how much Dorian had shared with Sunny about his arrangement with Born. She only knew what Born had told her. And she wondered if he would want her discussing his dealings with Sunny. But Jada thought about how encouraging Born had been when she told her that Sunny had invited her to lunch. He thought she needed friends, and Sunny was the perfect candidate. Jada chose her words carefully.

“I’m ready for whatever happens,” she said. “I have to take what comes and just continue to play my position. I love Born, so that’s all there is to it.”

Sunny nodded. “Good answer, good answer.” She said it with a hint of sarcasm, and she smiled. “I hear you. All I know is that it gets hard sometimes. It gets lonely at the top. Trust me.”

Sunny’s words sounded prophetic, and Jada nodded. She thought that
maybe it wouldn’t be perfect everyday. But at least the love between her and Born would get her through the bad days. Sunny turned the conversation in a new direction.

“Listen, Jada. Tonight is gonna be a big deal. All the biggest players in BK are gonna be there. But then all the gold-digging bitches will be there, too. We have got to be fierce tonight! There’s no way I can have any of them broads outshining me at my man’s party. Plus, I know his baby’s mama will be there, and I want her to be sick when she sees me sitting next to Dorian looking gorgeous.”

Jada frowned. She swallowed her food and took a sip of her soda. “I thought you’ve been with Dorian since you were seventeen,” Jada said. “How does he have a baby with someone else?”

Sunny smirked, since Jada had obviously been paying attention. She liked that. “Dorian has always crept around from time to time. He’s a good-looking man with a lot of money. Bitches throw themselves at Dorian, and I know that. One bitch caught him out there and had his son. It’s okay, because he doesn’t love her. He flaunts me in her face, and always makes it clear that I’m his number one. But the bitch is still like dirt under my nails. And tonight, I plan to make her squirm.”

Jada smiled, and finished her meal. She had no idea just how true to her word Sunny would be.

That night when Jada got home Born was already dressed for the party. Never one to get all
GQ
and dressed up, Born still looked good in a white Phat Farm shirt and matching shorts. He wore crisp white Nikes on his feet as he sat on the sofa. He greeted Jada, and told her that her hair looked nice. He couldn’t stop staring at her at first, and his smile let her know that she looked as
sexy
as she felt. Then he resumed counting money, as he’d been doing when she arrived. Taking advantage of his distraction, Jada took all her bags with her and went to take a bath.

She pinned her hair up and ran the bathwater as hot as it could get. She enjoyed the solitude of the steamy bathroom as she luxuriated in the hot water. She washed up, then got out, dried off, and smoothed cocoa butter oil into her skin. Jada applied her makeup in the mirror with precision, and was pleased with the results. She slipped into a pair of sheer panties, and then slid her dress out of the garment bag hanging on the bathroom door. She took out her hair clip and fixed her hair, loving the way she looked. She slid her feet into the most beautiful shoes in the world, and emerged in search of her perfume.

Born saw her and immediately lost count. Jada looked absolutely breathtaking, as she stood there in front of him. He stood up, looked her over once more, and shook his head from side to side. “Goddamn! You look … goddamn!”

Jada smiled shyly, and turned around so that he could see her assets.

He smiled, and nodded his approval. Then he pulled her close, and kissed her and said, “You gonna fuck around and get pregnant wearing a dress like that around me.”

Jada beamed at the thought of being pregnant with Born’s baby. She could tell that he meant what he said, because he couldn’t keep his hands to himself. He was feeling her all up under her little dress, and Jada giggled at his touch. “Come on, now,” she purred, trying to resist the irresistible Born. “I have to finish getting ready.”

Born looked at her, thinking she looked perfect. “You’re ready now.”

Jada shook her head, but he wouldn’t let her loose. She was still giggling and trying to resist the urge to give in to what he was doing. Born grinned at her as he unbuckled his belt, all the while fiddling around in her panties. Jada couldn’t control her giggles, because she couldn’t believe Born really couldn’t keep his hands off her! She could tell she wasn’t going to get the chance to put on the finishing touches of her outfit. Born pulled her over to the wall and pressed her back against it. Jada stopped giggling but continued smiling at Born. He was grinning back at her as he pulled her leg up and propped it on his arm. Right there, standing against the living room wall, he put himself inside her, and Jada was in ecstasy. She clung to Born as he moved in and out, and her smile was replaced by a look of pure passion. He loved that look, her facial expressions when he hit it. He loved the way she responded to him, and he could tell that she was on the verge of a big one.