Page 118 of Score
“You can,” I say, even though the knot in my chest loosens at her assurance. “I know this isn’t… I know what this is. You can see other people if you want.”
“So can you.”
The thought that for the last two weeks, I’ve gotten to have Verity Hill, to sleep in her bed, to wake up beside her once the sun’s up—but would think twice about anyone else is ludicrous. I don’t want to examine that too closely because what does that say about me? That Icouldbe with someone else, but she’s the only one I want?
Still.
She leans in to kiss me sweetly, chastely, and mumbles against my lips. “Well, now that we’ve established yet again that we can both do whatever we want, do youwantto finish dinner?”
“Yeah.” I shift, gripping her hips and turning her to straddle me.
“This doesn’t feel like dinner conversation,” she says, rolling over me, getting my dick—always at half-mast as soon as she enters any room—even harder.
I laugh, feeling lighter, even though some sixth sense tells me there is more to the conversation with Canon than what she shared. I don’t believe she’s lying to me and that’s enough for now.
“Looks like we’re not gonna finish eating,” she whispers, feathering kisses over my jaw and neck. “But I’m not complaining.”
I stand, lifting under her thighs and walking down the hall to her bedroom.
“Then neither am I.”
THIRTY-EIGHT
Dessi
EXTERIOR – CAFÉ SOCIETY, GREENWICH VILLAGE – NIGHT 1939
Camera zooms in from wide shot of a bustling New York City street, and a modest redbrick building, to a close-up of the awning above the club door that reads
CAFÉ SOCIETY.
A doorman wearing a tattered top hat and gloves with no fingertips ushers Dessi, Cal, and Tilda inside. They sit at one of the small tables covered in a simple white tablecloth near the middle of the crowded club. The walls are muraled with caricatures of everything from celebrities, to poodles and images of life in New York. A large piano is set in the center of the room.
DESSI
You really think she’ll be here?
CAL
She’s supposed to be. That’s what I heard.
TILDA (LOOKING AROUND AT THE CROWD, EYEING THE GROUP OF WHITE PEOPLE AT THE NEIGHBORING TABLE)
If this ain’t something else. White folks sitting with Negroes. Close enough to touch.
CAL
This is the first desegregated nightclub in the country.
DESSI
Can’t believe I’m seeing it.
CAL
Wait’ll we get to Europe.
DESSI
