Page 35 of Double

“I think you’re right; Double suits you. I don’t know why, but it does. I’m gonna have to work up to calling you Jinx, though. Anyway, back to the question.” I took a deep breath. “I feel like I should have more resentment toward you.” I held up my hand. “Not that you did anything wrong. Logically, I know that. I feel like I should resent you because I was literally saved from one marriage and thrust into another. Instead, I like you. I enjoy the little talks we have when we’re eating or playing Scrabble. I forced you to bring me to work with you because I don’t want to be away from you.”

“Nah, I don’t think you don’t want to be away from me. I think you’re comfortable with me, and you don’t want to be alone at the house.”

“Maybe,” I said, even though, in my mind, I didn’t want to be away from him.

13

Protection With a Capital P

Tinsley

On Friday night, Double’s grandparents invited us to go out to dinner with them and his parents. Apparently, their foundation had two big fundraisers each year—one in the springtime, and one in the fall. The spring fundraiser was approaching, and there were details that needed to be discussed before Double took over the reins.

Double held out his hand to me so I could exit the truck. We were outside of Hill Top Management, so I figured he needed to wrap up a work thing.

I smirked as I took his hand and stepped down to the curb. “Just can’t stand to be this close to work and not go in,” I teased.

He grinned. “I guess I take after my grandfather because he asked me to stop by before we head to the restaurant.”

As we started to walk toward the office building, I noticed the lights from Mahogany Hall. “Oh, Compton’s having her party tonight. I’m gonna peek in and see how everything came together.”

“You sure?” He gave a slight frown.

“It’ll be fine.” I rested my hand on his forearm. “I’ll just be a minute.”

“Just a minute, Mrs. Waters, . . . like for real. One minute.”

I wanted to be irritated at him being so bossy. I really hated it when men tried to control me, but I inherently knew that his bossiness didn’t come from the same place as my father’s. It came from genuine concern. “Okay. Go see what your grandfather wants.”

He stared down at me for a few seconds. Part of me wished that he would cover my mouth with his in a fiery kiss. I was so attracted to the man, even though I hadn’t known him long. I already knew that he was too much of a gentleman to just take my lips, though. He would probably wait until I verbally asked to be kissed before doing something like that. I tried not to sigh when, instead of kissing me senseless, he squeezed my hand then shooed me toward the door of Mahogany Hall.

I turned away from him, knowing he was still watching me. The first thing that hit me when I entered the venue was the sounds of the music and the loudness of the voices. It definitely sounded like a time was being had. As I made my way down the hallway leading to the Angel Ballroom, Compton came out, headed toward me.

“Hey,” I said sheepishly. “Sorry for crashing your party. I just wanted to check in and see how everything turned out.”

“Oh shit! I’m so glad you’re here.”

I knew my confusion had to show on my face.

“My cousin’s friend was supposed to get the photographer.”

I nodded because I remembered her telling me that.

“The photographer ain’t here, and he won’t answer no calls. We’ve been blowin’ him up.”

“Was he paid?”

“I think so, but I don’t care about all that. I need a photographer.”

“Oh,” I said sadly. If we were in Iredia, I would have a contact list a mile long of credible photographers. I didn’t have any contacts in Chicago. I didn’t know anybody in Chicago. This was her town. Didn’t she know any photographers? At all? “You have a backdrop, right? Why don’t you play photographer. Promise the guests that you’ll get any shots they want and post them to a website tomorrow for them to choose their favorites.”

“Okay. Can you come in with me and explain that to Diamond? She’s pissed.”

I didn’t know who Diamond was, but I still agreed, though reluctantly. “Okay.” I didn’t get why Compton couldn’t explain it, but whatever. I followed her into the ballroom. She walked me up to a group of women who were standing by the bar, having a conversation.

“Diamond, this is the . . . young lady who assisted me in putting this event together.”

Since when did I assist her with putting the event together? I volunteered to make the balloon arch. What? “Oh no, she’s being too generous. I assisted with the balloon arch. I⁠—”