The Lessons We Learn

by Alexandra Warren

  His question caught me off-guard, or maybe it was just his positioning - his glare - that had me a little shook. Either way, I did my best to stay on track, pulling my shoulders back to explain, “Well, as your representative, I’d get a small cut for being the gatekeeper, connecting you to those companies, keeping your endeavors in order to make sure you’re abiding by the contracts. etc.. But this is easy work for you. I mean, you can’t tell me you dreamed about working this security desk for the rest of your life.”

  At least I hoped he hadn’t dreamed about working security forever. Not that there was anything wrong with his job, and I respected him making a living for himself period. But I also knew he was leaving a hell of a lot of money on the table if he didn’t take me up on the offer.

  I worried that was exactly what was going to happen when, instead of showing interest, he only shrugged, plopping down in his chair to reply, “Maybe I did.”

  Still, I wasn’t backing down, ready to lay it all out there when I whined, “Khalid, come on. I can see you’re still mad at me for... playing you out at the party, or whatever. But don’t let that come between you and your coins.”

  “Oh, so you do know what you did?” he asked, his eyebrow piqued teasingly as if he wasn’t as upset about it as he was acting; something I was thankful for since that meant it was easily rectifiable with a little apology even though I could argue that I hadn’t done anything wrong.

  But… it wasn’t about how I felt; it was about getting him on board, meaning I was especially sweet when I leaned into the countertop and told him, “I’m sorry.”

  He brushed me off. “Don’t be. You deserve to live your new singlehood to the fullest. I guess I’m just jealous.”

  While I could appreciate his honesty, I still snapped my head back to challenge, “Jealous of what? You have an almost cult-like following of women ready and willing to risk it all; my little sister included. I’m small fish compared to them.”

  Seeing the way women responded to him was fascinating to say the least, and I could only imagine how his girlfriend felt about all the extra attention he got. But instead of agreeing with me, he only laughed. “You’re not small fish and you know it. But if you wanna play humble, I get it.”

  With a smirk, I went in for the kill, pouting my lips to beg, “So will you just… think about it? Please?”

  He didn’t answer right away, only stared blankly at the security monitors as if he was weighing his options. And when he finally spoke again, it was to ask, “You really think companies would wanna work with me?”

  “Oh, definitely. With that following and that face, it’s a no-brainer.”

  “Like, what kinda companies though? I can’t be reppin’ shit I ain’t really about,” he said, the fact that he wanted to keep his integrity intact something I welcomed since I knew just how easily the extra spotlight and money could change people.

  I used my research from the weekend to reply, “Well for starters, I’m thinking something sophisticated. Maybe watches. And then we can get into other apparel, especially fitness since that’s a hot market.”

  His face lit up when he suggested, “What about those little teeth-whitening things? My dental insurance just kicked in, but I’d do that shit for free just to try it out.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh as I explained, “First rule to this, nothing comes for free anymore, with the exception of charity-related posts to show you actually give a damn about the rest of the world. But we can put them on the list if that’s what you want. I’m really just here to facilitate.”

  The excited expression on his face had me excited too, quick to capitalize on his mood when I offered, “How about we set-up a meeting for later this week? Maybe over dinner?

  “I mean, as long as your boy Eric won’t get mad,” he replied teasingly, stepping from behind his desk to meet me on the other side. And now that I had a full body view of him, I was only reminded of what had started all of this in the first place; his charming ass looking especially fine in his security uniform.

  “Yep, he’ll definitely be an easy sell,” I thought to myself, grinning as I told him, “He’s not my boy. And besides, this is business. No boys are ever getting in the way of that.”

  He seemed satisfied with my response, offering me a nod as I dug in my purse for my business cards and handed one over to him. “Just shoot me a text when you’re ready to set something up.”

  My walkaway might’ve been a little enthusiastic in the hips to ensure that text would be coming sooner than later. And while I wasn’t expecting it to be as soon as it came, I was happy to know I still had the juice when, by the time I made it home, there was a notification waiting for me.

  “Saturday. 8 PM. Perry’s Steakhouse.” - Khalid

  Khalid

  “I’m not even saying this to be funny. But like, why would anyone be into Eric? Especially someone as gorgeous as Jayla?”

  After watching his Snapchat story that detailed every part of the date he had apparently taken Jayla on the night before, I was wondering the same thing, trying to figure out what it was about him that had Jayla so intrigued. I mean, Eric was cool peoples, something like family since I considered Londyn the same. But he was also a straight up clown when it came to women, something that hadn’t changed according to Jayla’s annoyed expression in at least half of the videos he had shared.

  Still, regardless of her reasons for going out with him, the sight only solidified that our plans for tonight were really about business and only business. So with a shrug, I answered, “Shit, your guess is as good as mine, LoLo. I mean, he’s your brother. But I saw it with my own two eyes at your party, and now you see it too. He must just be her type.”

  “Or maybe he’s the exact opposite of her ex-husband. Like, she’s into him out of spite,” Londyn reasoned, making me shake my head at how crazy it sounded.

  Then again, it sounded very Londyn, something I was sure to mention when I replied, “That sounds like some shit you would do.”

  “What’s your point?” she asked, completely unfazed by her own crazy as she changed the channel to HGTV which was basically my cue to get the fuck up out of here before I got too invested in somebody’s House Hunters search. More so, too invested in how they were able to afford the shit with jobs that didn’t pay as much as their budget insisted. But I also didn’t want to leave before I got a chance to run Jayla’s proposition by her, wanting to hear her opinion on it before I really signed my name on the imaginary dotted line tonight.

  So I got straight to the point, moving toward the edge of the couch to tell her, “I got some news for you.”

  Her eyes immediately flashed my way in a panic as she hissed, “Fuck. Daniella’s pregnant, isn’t she? Gotdamnit, Khalid! I told you to leave that girl alone!”

  “And I already told you I haven’t seen her in months, so chill out,” I replied with a little laugh, still remembering the phone calls from the both of them after Londyn went ham on Daniella in the club for saying something slick.

  I wasn’t sure what Daniella was expecting me to do after her ass wrote a check she couldn’t cash and got her ass whooped. But I was glad it had all worked itself out eventually, my friendship with Londyn remaining intact and my relationship with Daniella’s crazy self rightfully fizzling out.

  The impatience on Londyn’s face snapped me out of the memory, prompting me to release a heavy breath before I finally shared, “I’m… taking on a new gig. Well, a new side hustle for now. As a social media influencer.”

  The whole thing was still a little crazy to me since I had never really thought of myself as much of an influencer, especially not a good one. But Jayla’s passion and certainty about it had me sold on the idea. At least, I thought I was sold until I saw the way Londyn’s face scrunched when she asked, “Like an Instagram Ho?”

  “Damn. Why it gotta be all that?”

  She held her hands up to defend, “I mean that with all respect. Instagram hoes are living the dream. Minimal work for
good pay. Honestly, where can I sign-up? Do they have auditions or something?”

  “Actually, Jayla’s the one who brought it up to me. Said I have the look and following for it. We’re meeting for dinner tonight to discuss details, potential companies, and all that,” I explained, watching her nod in understanding before her lips turned upward into a sly grin, letting me know some bullshit was sure to follow.

  “I could barely get you to say hello to the woman outside of work, and now you’re going to dinner with her? For business of all things?” she asked almost skeptically.

  While I wished I had more of an explanation, I could only shrug. “The universe is wild, ain’t it?”

  Londyn wasn’t impressed, tossing me a side-eye before her eyes dropped to her lap. “Well… you aren’t the only one with news.”

  “Let me guess. Chance really didn’t pull out on your birthday, did he?” I asked teasingly, catching a punch in the arm that made me laugh as Londyn immediately squealed, “No! I mean, yes! But that’s not what I’m talking about.” Then she waited for my laughs to settle before she shared, “Chance and I are moving in together.”

  “So Chance is moving back?” I asked, a little surprised to hear it since he had made it pretty clear he wasn’t interested in being in town any longer than he had to be for his mother.

  But I quickly learned that wasn’t the case at all when Londyn damn near whispered, “No, I’m moving to the city. Because I also got that job that I applied for.”

  Her quiet demeanor quickly got masked by my excited one as I gushed, “Word?! Congratulations, little baby.” Pulling her into a celebratory hug that she sank into as if she was relieved to have the news off her chest. And I only squeezed her tighter around the shoulder when I expressed, “That’s what’s up LoLo, for real. I’m proud of you. When are you moving?”

  “Two weeks,” she muttered in my hold as if she didn’t want me to react.

  Still, I couldn’t help myself since..., “Two weeks?! Damn. That’s practically tomorrow.”

  “Crazy, right?” she said, settling a little deeper under my arm as if she was suddenly trying to savor the moment. Or maybe that was just me, a little sad about my best friend leaving town as if the two weeks had already passed.

  Of course I had other friends, but none of them were quite like Londyn. She was my road dog, the one who I had had the pleasure of watching bloom from a young college girl into a grown woman, the one who had always had my back through right and wrong, and the only one who always believed I could be better. I became better, because of her. And honestly, her decision to follow her dreams really only inspired me that much more.

  “What about your crib? You have a real estate agent and all that lined up?” I asked, glancing around the place that was damn near like a second home to me.

  “Actually, that was another part of my news. I want you to have it.”

  “Wait, what?” I thought in my head, sitting up a little straighter to ask, “Me? I can’t take on no mortgage, LoLo. You know my credit score is still trash from all those student loans I couldn’t pay on after I dropped out.”

  Sitting up herself, she explained, “I don’t need you to buy it, Khalid. Just… rent it out temporarily, for a much better price than what you’re paying over at that box you’re living in now.”

  Her shade wasn’t subtle enough for me not to defend my spot when I told her, “Man, quit hatin’. My studio is lush.”

  “But just imagine what you could do with all this extra space? I’ll even throw in most of the furniture,” she offered, that part making me really consider it since the furniture at my current place was nothing more than a mixed-matched combination of shit I had picked up from different thrift stores over the past few months.

  “Now you’re makin’ an offer a nigga can’t refuse. You know how much I love this couch,” I told her, falling back against the cushion that seemed as if it was molded perfectly for my body.

  In fact, I was already imagining the naps I would take on it when Londyn shitted on my dreams and said, “Except this. This is coming with me. But I will leave all my gaming consoles since Chance pretty much has all the same ones.”

  Even that was enough to have me sold, nodding as I replied, “Shit, it’s a deal then. My lease was about to be up next month anyway.”

  “See. God’s Plan,” she insisted excitedly, clearly relieved that both of her pieces of news had gone over well. But now that the first part had settled in a little more for me, I low-key felt somber as hell, thinking of how much her moving away would change things for me.

  I mean, shit had already changed quite a bit with Chance in the picture, welcomed changes since Londyn could be a lot. But she was damn near like a lifeline for me around here with most of my immediate family being a few hours away, meaning I’d really have to keep my shit together or run the risk of falling off completely.

  “Damn. I can’t believe little LoLo is really gettin’ outta here on me,” I said more to myself than her.

  Though it was clear she had heard me when she replied, “I’ve only been wanting to leave this town for forever, Khalid. This move is long overdue.”

  “Oh, I know. And I’m happy for you, for real. Just gonna miss your crazy ass,” I expressed, my lips twisted into a half-hearted smirk.

  Seeing me all in my feelings, Londyn attempted to make me feel a little better about it, putting a hand to my shoulder and suggesting, “Unless this dinner goes well. Then you won’t miss me at all, and then I’ll have to come back and hurt Jayla for stealing my best friend from me.”

  With a laugh, I insisted, “That ain’t gonna happen, LoLo. Shit, if anything I gotta worry about Chance locking you up and throwing away the key to the city.”

  Instead of denying it, she only groaned, “Ooh. Sounds kinky.” And that was yet another cue for me to get my ass on, popping up from the couch while telling her, “Man, I’m outta here. I need to go get ready for this... business meeting.”

  She joined me standing up, but didn’t quite agree with my word choice, following me towards the door and out onto the porch as she said, “It’s a hot first date, Khalid. Call it what it is.”

  I wished I could say the same, but unfortunately I couldn’t, the possibility of something developing between Jayla and I officially balled up and tossed in the trash with a strong, “Kobe!” now that I knew she was messing around with Eric. But I wasn’t going to sweat it, shaking my head instead when I defended, “It really ain’t though. We’re making money moves. Word to your girl Cardi.”

  Smirking, Londyn crossed her arms and agreed, “You know I love me some Cardi B. But I hope your meeting goes well, cause first month’s rent is due soon and I will charge your ass a late fee.”

  “So now you on your Londyn the Landlord shit, huh?” I asked with a laugh, not giving her a chance to respond as I jogged down the stairs towards my car.

  But even with the distance, I still heard Londyn loud and clear when she replied, “That does have a ring to it.” Before shouting after me, “Can’t wait to hear about your first date!”

  “Find some business, Londyn!” I shouted back, climbing in my car to head to the spot that was still technically my home until she moved. But somehow, Londyn still found a way to get the last word, my car reading her text out loud through the speakers.

  “Now that you’re my tenant, you literally are my business. So I’ll be expecting a full recap by tomorrow morning at the very latest. Thanks in advance.” - Londyn

  &

  A business dinner with Jayla seemed straightforward enough when the plans were made. But the second she walked in looking less like business and more like she wanted to be my dinner, I knew I was in trouble, struggling to keep it strictly-professional with every word she spoke and every bite of food she took. I mean, it really wasn’t fair how good she looked sitting across the table from me, the canary yellow dress she had on giving her skin an extra glow and fitted in a way that had her titties looking crazy delicious - like dess
ert.

  In fact, I caught myself literally getting ready to lick my lips when she asked, “So do you have any other questions? Anything I can clear up for you? Any concerns about how this will all go?”

  Pulling my napkin from my lap - which maybe wasn’t the best decision since it was doing double duty of keeping my pants clean and hiding my bulge of a reaction to her fine ass - I replied, “No concerns. But I do have a question for you.”

  “Shoot.”

  It might’ve been bad etiquette, but my grandmama wasn’t here to call me out on it when I rested my elbows against the table and asked, “What made you move here of all places? I mean, I’m technically a transplant too, but I’ve been here long enough to know most of the people around here are trying to get out. So for somebody of your caliber to willingly come here... I guess I’m a little baffled.”

  From the first day I saw her, Jayla’s whole persona had always screamed big city corporate woman, from the way she dressed to the way she carried herself with the utmost professionalism; especially compared to some of her coworkers. And while I still wasn’t sure where she had moved from, it almost seemed as if being in a town like this was a step-down - to most standards - from wherever she had been before.

  Of course, she tried to pull that humble shit again, giggling as she put a hand to her chest to ask, “Someone of my caliber? What does that even mean?”

  “Come on, Jayla. You know exactly what I mean,” I reasoned, taking a short sip of the scotch I called myself drinking on my businessman shit.

  With a grin, Jayla matched my sip with one from her glass of fancy red wine before she insisted, “I don’t. Enlighten me.”

  If she wanted to hear it, I had no problem gassing her up when I repeated, “Someone of your caliber. You know, clearly on your game with the work shit, fly as hell even on your days off. And if all those late nights in the office prove anything, it’s that you have the ambition of a lioness.”