Page 29 of Cherry's Jubilee

“You’re only doing this to get to me. Just like you won’t do the right thing and give up the building.”

“When have I ever done anything to get to you, Ashley?” I ask as if I’m bored. “You transferred to my school. You majored in accounting until you realized you’re too dumb, and you went after Rob because you are too stupid to read the room. You’re obsessed with me, girl.” I look up and give her a fake smile. “I’d be flattered if it wasn’t creepy. And give up the building left to me and my sister? Girl, please.” I gesture for her to leave.

“I told my mother I didn’t want Solange to cater my party,” she says. “But no! She wanted to put you in your place.”

I look at her and raise my eyebrows. I put my finger by my ear and swirl it around like she’s crazy. “What place is that? Highly educatedand entrepreneurial? Living our best lives happy and unbothered? Yeah. She showed us.” I cackle at the thought.

“You’re always saying how you want nothing to do with me or my family, but here you are, fucking my boss,” she hisses.

“We make love. It’s all love all the time,” I correct.

“As if someone like him could ever be serious about you.”

I stand and point at her. She gasps and takes a step back. “Watch your mouth,” I warn. “And I know you don’t know from personal experience, but my man is very serious about me.”

The office door opens as the words leave my mouth, and Daniel walks in. He comes straight to me, cups my face, and kisses me much too indecently for company.

“I’ve missed you,” he says before kissing me deeply again. He finally notices Ashley after breaking the kiss. “Good night, Ashley. Have a good weekend.”

“Good night, Daniel,” she says in a high-pitched voice. “I left something on your desk for you. You have a good weekend as well.” She walks out with her head held high without saying anything else.

“Let me change, and we’ll go to dinner,” Daniel says. A loud clap of thunder breaks as the words leave his mouth.

“I’d rather go to your place and make us dinner.” “Deal,” he says as he looks down at his desk. He picks up an envelope in the color of pink bubblegum. He rips it open and says, “Ashley’s wedding invitation. We’ll go, and when she gets back from her honeymoon, she can start reporting to another executive.”.

“What? You’re getting rid of her?” I ask, incredulous. I walk to him and look at the obnoxious envelope. I roll my eyes at the part where it says women must wear pink.

“She’ll still have a good position. Just not with me.” He takes off his suit jacket and loosens his tie. “I can’t have an assistant that makes my girlfriend uncomfortable. You being unable to eat or drink in my office doesn’t work for me.” He gives me a peck and shuts down his computer. “Let’s go.”

“So, are you going to need a dress or what?” he asks as he follows the GPS directions to my parents’ house. It’s a warm Saturday afternoon. I turn my body to look in the back of his Mercedes SUV to ensure the cakes I baked last night are secure. “Not that I don’t love those power pantsuits you wear, but if you want a dress, I’ll buy you as many as you need.”

“Um, what?” I lift my bottled water to my lips, unsure of what he’s talking about.

“For Ashley’s wedding.” The bottle stops halfway to my mouth. I slowly put it down and turn to look at his profile. He’s looking straight ahead at the road.

“I’m not going to see the Bride of Frankenstein get married. Are you insane?”

“Well, before I met you, I promised her I’d attend. I have a girlfriend, and I want her to come with me. That’s how that works, Cherry Bomb. Areyouinsane?”

“I’m not going,” is all I say. I cross my arms and look out the window.

He puts his hand on my lap and squeezes it. “I want you to go with me, and I promise this will be the last time. When Ashley returns from her honeymoon, she won’t be my assistant anymore. We’ll go to the wedding and dip into the reception. We won’t stay long. Please.” He squeezes my knee again.

“I knew I should have kicked you out of my apartment when you showed up six days late. Fine.” I try to move his hand off my lap but can’t. He comes to a stop at an intersection and quickly kisses my cheek. “I’m getting an expensive dress, shoes, and accessories. You’re gonna be damn near broke by the time I’m done with your ass.”

Then I remember Ashley’s wedding invitation asked that the female attendees wear pink, and I get an idea. A slow, evil smile spreads across my face.

“Nowhere near broke, but thanks, Cherry,” he says. He turns right onto the quiet, sleepy street I grew up on. I point to the white colonial home at the end of the cul-de-sac. He pulls into the driveway, and when I open the car door, I can smell my dad’s barbeque. The side gate opens, and he comes out.

Dad’s casual in cargo shorts and his favorite basketball team jersey. He opens his arms, and when I run into them, he lifts me off my feet and spins me around like he did when I was little.

“My Cherry Berry,” he says before putting me down and kissing both cheeks. “And who is this?” he asks as he looks at Daniel.

“Dad, this is my boyfriend, Daniel Jubilee. Daniel, this is my dad, Calvin Cross.” Dad leaves me and stands in front of Daniel. Dad’s a tall man, and they stand eye to eye. Dad extends his hand, and the two men shake. My father pulls him into a hug.

“Jubilee?” Dad asks. “TheJubilee family?”

“No, Dad. A knock-off Jubilee,” I say with an eye-roll.

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