"Don't even try to slip off on me!"
"As if I could. Now go away!"
"Twenty more minutes - I'll be escorting your ass out! I got to get a close up on him!"
Vivian turned away shaking her head, but smiling still the same. If she had to admit it to anyone, she needed to admit it to herself; there was something thrilling about them meeting him, seeing him. If truth were to be told, it was part of her excitement for the day to close. She was doing one final check of her email before she shut down her computer. Flagging important messages that she needed to deal with first thing in the morning. That done, computer off, she covered it and turned to tidy her desk, putting tomorrow's applications for loans that needed to be run and checked before approval or rejection. Satisfied, she turned twenty minutes later to see her doorway filled with Dean and Stephanie.
"We ready - let's go Ms African Queen, let's not keep him waiting." Dean in the lead again.
"Dean you need to calm your butt down." Vivian stated, bent over closing her bottom drawer, missing the elbow nudge Dean prompted Stephanie with. "Ah, Vivian, you think he'll give us a ride to 95th and Cottage Grove? It's on your way, off the Dan Ryan."
Vivian shot up and eyeballed them. Especially Dean. "You put her up to that didn't you?"
"Oh I see, you done got too good for us. Can't be bothered to give us a helping hand."
"Oh Dean, stop." Vivian called out, standing from her desk, grabbing her things to head for the door.
"Come on give us a ride Ms Thang!"
Vivian parted them by walking out of her office, they brought up the rear, "I'm telling you now, do not be all up in his face! I'll ask, but I don't like just suddenly springing stuff on him."
"We'll behave. Come on Vivian, we wanna meet him." Stephanie added, following to the elevator.
"You two need to get a life."
"We got one, part of which is getting all in your business! Only because you're such an interesting person you see. You should be flattered that we consider you and your life worthy fodder for gossip." Dean informed her.
"Apparently! I'm telling you now - don't start asking him hundreds of questions. Dean, don't over gay it! Sorry to inform you, he's not all that keen on queer folk."
"Em hm, that's what they all say!" He insinuated.
Vivian stopped and looked at him, "You wanna ride?"
"I'll be on my best behavior." He promised.
The two of them were giddy with excitement. Vivian was now nervous, she wasn't too sure what Jake's reaction would be to giving them a ride, let alone meeting them. She just hoped that he was in a good mood. It was far from smart to put someone on the spot, especially with Dean. They made their way to the elevator - Janna was there.
"Is he still picking you up?" She asked Vivian as the three approached.
"He hasn't notified me otherwise, I hope so." Vivian returned.
"We gettin' a ride!" Dean couldn't help himself, he had to brag that in her face.
Janna rolled her eyes and shook her head looking at Vivian. "Does he know? Have you asked?"
"No, I haven't. We'll see when we get out there."
"You just jealous cause you don't get to meet him, talk to him. Don't worry, we'll tell you about him tomorrow at work." Dean went on.
"Dean - do not get on my nerves please?" Vivian warned, she could just hear him winding up.
"Okay okay okay, you know I can't help myself." He pouted.
"I can't believe you're going to subject him to Dean."
"Excuse you! What's wrong with me?" Dean shot.
The elevator finally reached their floor and they boarded with some others. In place on the elevator, no one was willing to answer that question, however no one could resist giving him the "Look".
"Ya'll can just kiss my, sweet, butterscotch, token gay ass. Half of you want to, anyway." This was targeted at a few of the men who were on with them - who worked on their floor; who knew Dean. They cleared their throats, not willing to encourage him further, so stayed looking ahead.
Vivian shook her head wondering if she had lost her mind, taking Dean to meet Jake. She was trying to imagine how Jake would react to his presence. Soon enough, she would find out.
Finally, the ground floor, the elevator doors opened to a departing crowd. Stephanie was nervous, with a bit of the jitters she spoke up saying, "He probably couldn't even come to get you, he not gonna be here. And you know why? 'Cause I wanna meet him. We gone end up having to take the L."
"You two carry on like there's something special about him. He's just a cowboy from the sticks." Janna couldn't resist bringing him down, already set on not liking him. Vivian was getting the jest of this, but maintained her cool, she didn't wish to come off over protective, obsessed and possessive, but she had a feeling if Janna continued on making little remarks to demean him, she would have little choice but to set her straight. Time would tell.
Jake was standing out front, leaning against the truck. He'd circled around three times, and decided after seeing a couple of taxi's pull up and park, as well a few Mercedes, a BMW, two Lexus', that hell, he could pull up and park too, long as he wasn't sitting there for long. Timing it just right, he waited until a bit passed the time she was to get off, and then pulled up, parked and got out. As he leaned there waiting, he observed the many suits walking by. Dressed as he was, cowboy hat, thin linen, light blue jean button up shirt, open, sleeves rolled up, showing his white T-tank 'wife-beater' underneath, including the nice body, because he was well fit. Not as bulked up and buffed out as Shawn, but certainly built lean, strong, solid. Nice muscled thick arms, well defined chest, and wearing blue jeans that fit his tall frame just so, and oh so right, the length of which was pulled over two inch heeled raw hide leather cowboy boots. Oh and did he draw some attention. In fact, found it amusing. If that were not enough, a couple of the suited ladies caused a few minor collisions on the sidewalk from being unable to take their eyes from him. Out of no where, they couldn't believe their eyes, a cowboy with looks to die for, standing right there, like a heavenly placed, every woman's fantasy and dream come to life. He was tickled by it all. Jake grinned, leaning as he was, with his hat tilted just so, wearing shades that seemed to be made especially for him, one leg crossed over and the foot turned toe down, unable to resist, he titled the shades, exposing hazel/blues eyes, winked and smiled at one or two. Then to his amusement, watched one woman walk right into a pole. You'd have to be death to miss the sound of her forehead hitting the light pole, making a loud {{Ping}} sound.
"OH! Hey, you okay?" He walked towards her to ask.
Mortified, the young woman turned deep red, nodded that she was and made hasty steps to get away from her place of humiliation.
He chuckled to himself, walked back to the truck, a few steps away, to resume that pose, watching the revolving doors for his lady. They were pouring out, and the moment he spotted her afro, he burst into a big, wide, grin, pride written all over his face, for the woman he was there to pick up; his little suited up exec banker babe. She was stunning! Stood out from everyone like the black velvet goddess his mother proclaimed her. Yes, in his mind it sang out true, this was love ... and she - was - his!
As if he wasn't tall enough, Jake felt 10 feet taller.
The moment she spotted him, a very similar smile burst upon her face. Her mind screaming, 'Holy cow! Look at my man - hell yeah - mine and fine!' She had to bite her tongue to control herself from grinning too wide.
"Oh - my - God! Would you look at him... oh - my - god!" Dean muttered low, only Stephanie and Janna heard. Vivian was focused on the man at the curb, rising from his lean to greet her. With rapid certainty, Stephanie fired out, "His ass is fu-ine! You heah'em? Shit! Look at him!" She bit out through pressed lips.
Janna was floored.
He wasn't at all what she expected. She wasn't certain exactly what she expected, but the 6'2 or more male, dead straight ahead, removing his shades to reveal eyes only for Vivian; boldly meeting her part of the way
, taking her hand in his, leaning down, tilting his head to give her a quick possessive kiss on the lips, for all those who could see, - was not what she expected. She had seen it with her own eyes, the moment he spotted her, his face lit up.
"I missed you. Wait until I get you home. Cooked dinner too." He was saying right away, not realizing the audience near because he was looking into Vivian's incredible eyes, already fantasizing about helping her remove her work clothes.
With stunned wide eyes, Vivian couldn't believe the way he was acting, although it made her proud, she was also blushing, because of her audience. "Ja-ake - echm - I want you to meet some friends of mine from work." Her eyes were trying to tell him, people were watching. As if he cared. Her manner, one of trying to get him to curb his enthusiasm for her, now that he had her back. He was un-fazed and in a playful mood. With eyes twinkling their hazel blue, he looked up from her to see three persons standing by.
Vivian turned, "Everyone, this is Jake. Jake, this is Dean." She held her breath, not sure what Jake would do.
He knew right off the bat, the guy was gay, but shook his hand anyway. "Nice to meet you, Dean." Jake made sure to give him a good, strong, manly, hand squeezing shake. With hands hard, strong and big as his, Dean had to play it off, but that hand shake was shooting all through his body, pain as Jake pumped his arm. Vivian could tell by the widening of Dean's eyes, she had better rescue him. "And this is Stephanie." She introduced her quick so Jake would turn his hand loose. Dean looked as if he would faint now that he had his hand back, that hung and throbbed for blood to return to it. Now, whether that was from the pain of the handshake - or from the man that shook his hand, she couldn't be sure.
"Stephanie, nice meeting you." He took her hand in his, lifting her knuckles to his lips, touching them softly, winked and released her hand.
Vivian wanted to kill him! He was turning on the charm big time, and she wasn't so sure she cared for it. Especially with the look on Stephanie's face, you'd think she was looking up at Elvis. Accepting the fact that at least he was being sweet and charming, she supposed it was better than him acting an asshole, which he could be sometimes. What she was seeing, is that he wasn't the type to put out an ugly front, he could be a gentlemen, and would be with her friends.
Vivian then turned to Janna, "Janna this is Jake."
Before he could touch her, she blurted out, "Nice to meet you. I better go, you understand, traffic and all." Ignoring his hand, she turned and strode off.
"She so bitchy!" Dean started.
Vivian played it off. "She's right, traffic! We better go babe, we're getting horns blown at us, a ticket will follow. Do you mind giving them a ride to 95th and Cottage Grove? It's on the way."
"Sure, no problem - hop in." He invited, walking to the truck, opening the door, moving the seat forward, "Ladies first." He commanded grinning. As a gentlemen would, he handed Stephanie in, and then put the seat back and handed Vivian in, a quick pucker of his lips, he blew her an air kiss and a wink, closing the door.
"Oh My God! You must have lost your mind - gettin' a man like that!" Stephanie declared.
Vivian smiled, deciding not to comment as the men walked around to Jake's side.
Jake took the whole scenario with a spirit of humor. Leading the way to the drivers side, he opened the door, moved his seat forward for Dean to hop in. "Buckle up!" He ordered all jumping in the front. His cologne, the clean fresh scent of him, filled the truck cab making all within sigh.
"I've seen 95th and Cottage Grove coming here, so I believe I know where you're heading, just direct me once we get within so many blocks."
"Oh we will." Dean was quick to reply.
"We really appreciate this. I mean, we could have caught the L - but getting a ride, gets us home that much quicker."
"Not a problem. I'll give you two a ride tomorrow as well." He answered with ease, watching traffic, having picked up the pace with his driving to match how it was that time of day in rush hour.
"Oh, thank you! And Friday too! The sooner I get home, the quicker I can get ready to go out." Dean made sure to get his turn in saying something. "What are you two doing this weekend?" He got in as well.
"I don't know, what are we doing this weekend baby?" He asked Vivian.
"My parents?"
"Oh - that!"
The two in the backseat cracked up at the way he said it.
"Well that's not gonna be the whole weekend is it?" Stephanie asked, it was her turn to say something.
"I should hope not!" Jake grinned. "What day this weekend?" He asked.
"Jake! It's just one day, Saturday."
"Then that leaves Friday night open." Dean hinted.
"No Dean, we are not entertaining you Friday night. So you can just forget it."
"Fine then Ms. Thang! I was gone invite you out with me, show you and yo' man a good time! Be that way!"
Jake was trying not to laugh in the front seat, he kept his face forward, but he could hear all the gay connotations in his speech. He had to force himself not to shake his head, the guy was as gay as a rotten egg stinks. He had to mind himself not to laugh at him, so bit into his lip to bring himself under control.
"You'll live Dean. You gettin' a ride, learn to be happy." Vivian stated, glancing back at him.
"We'll have to take a rain-check on that Dean." Jake volunteered, not wishing to offend.
Dean brightened, "Is that a promise?" He asked.
Jake chuckled, "No I'm sorry, I only make promises to my mother, my kids and, the woman I love." Jake glanced at Vivian, sitting at a light, "And that would be you." He informed her as if she didn't know, lifting his hand, he tapped her nose with his finger.
Dean and Stephanie were bugged eyed, they couldn't resist looking at each other surprised by his upfront show of devotion.
Vivian was also stunned, because outside of family, and close knit friends such as Sheila and Dennis, this was the first time she'd experienced Jake in a setting with persons he didn't know, but associates of hers. She was pleasantly surprised and pleased, flirting back. "You just pouring it on, you not this lovey dovey at home."
Jake snapped around to look at her, his eyes full of suggestion as he asked her to, "Come again? What did you say? I'm not what - ? - at home?"
Vivian was no fool, she knew what he was implying, as if to say, -Not enough huh? I'll fix that?- she quickly corrected that, "I'm just playing! Now behave Jake." She whined.
He chuckled, winked at her, back in control pulling out from the intersection, making his way to the Dan Ryan. "Yeah, behave... I'll behave, long as you behave. You may run the ship at work, but when you get home, who's the man? Huh?"
The back seat was loving it. Dean could not be quiet. "Oh I like him!" He blasted to all within, "Please come to the bank and work! Because she is out of control! Ms. Thang!" He grinned, snapping fingers and flicking his hand, with the rotation of his head, looking at Vivian and grinning.
"That's okay Mr. Dean Currey, you'll be wanting a ride tomorrow."
"Oooh, okay! I'm sorry! Oh vengeful heifa. See how she get? Jake don't let her be mean to me. She treats me hor-ri-ble!"
Jake, was grinning in the front seat, playing along with it. "Naaaw, not my Vivian. As sweet as she is to me at home? I can't believe she'd come to work and be mean? Darlin' you'd subject him to a L-train when the kind thing to do is give him a ride. Surely you wouldn't."
Vivian sat back, giving him dirty looks, as well Dean, making faces that promised revenge for them both. Jake laughed out loud, as Dean poured on more, "Uh! See how she look at me? Let me sit back and shet my mouth, less I get demoted to a go-fer."
"Vivian make his butt take the train tomorrow. He don't know how to act, he don't get no ride!"
"You traitorous lil'ho you!"
"Who you callin' a ho'? Jerky butt!"
Jake couldn't hold back, he cracked up even more, "See Jake how they treat me? See how women today act? How sad is that, takes a man to show you how to be a woman!"<
br />
"And no you did not!" Stephanie rolled her head.
"Oh yes I did too! Don't get me started!"
"Don't go there Dean! Stop while you're ahead!" Vivian warned.
"See Jake! See how she talk to me? Ganging up on me? I'm just gone sit back here and be quiet, I get enough abuse from them during the day! 'Cause they jealous!"
"Of course they are Dean, we all know how women get when they're jealous! I can protect you while you're in my truck, but once you're out, you're on your own." He went on, with Vivian giving him dirty looks. He was having a ball. "Something wrong darlin'?" He asked fighting not to laugh some more.
Vivian decided not to give Dean more to talk about at her expense. He would be going on and on about Jake tomorrow if she didn't quit feeding him more. She was learning quickly not to put Jake to the test; there was no telling what might come out of his mouth. She figured her best bet was to sit and not do anything to make him react in a way that would rile her while entertaining Mr. Currey.
Now that Vivian and Dean had given her a space to, Stephanie went right to the heart of the matter, "So you two getting married?" She was asking Jake of course.
"As soon as possible. Having a couple of babies too, aren't we sweety?"
'Damn that Stephanie! They ass takin' the train tomorrow!'
"Ja-a-ake!" Vivian called with a whimper.
"What? First one be born, let's see, sometime April next year? That about right?" He was really going full force. "That's about what we figured. So yep, we'll be getting married pretty quick there, Stephanie."
"Oh please invite me to the wedding! I wanna come!"
Dean sat forward, "If she coming, I'm coming! I know you inviting me!?" He practically demanded. "What date you all set it for?"
"Dean! We haven't set a date yet!" Vivian groused.
"We'll have one set by this weekend Dean." Jake spoke up.
"Make sure she tell me when it is Jake, because Ms Afro queen here, spiteful!" Dean taunted.
"I'll make sure of it."
"If you two gone have a baby by April, that means a baby shower. I'll be head of that!" Stephanie announced.
BOMAW 7-9 Page 109
