Page 138 of Can't Get Enough

“Once a thief, always a thief,” she says, her voice cooling even more to subzero. “If I couldn’t trust you with my man, you think I’d trust you with my business?”

I’m usually controlled inbitch trying to test mescenarios, but considering all that has happened with Aunt Geneva, Mama, the hospital—it’s too much. The chain holding me back snaps and so do I.

“I didn’t steal anything from you, Zere.” My voice is preternaturally calm, in stark contrast to the violence of my heart rattling the cage of my ribs. “You and Maverick were no longer together when he and I started seeing each other.”

“Technically, but—”

“Oh, if we’re getting technical, I recall being the one who actually created a pitch deck for this show.”

“But if you—”

“I’ve brought just as many contacts to the table for it as you have, if not more.”

“That may be true—”

“Oh, it is true, but I’m not consulting my lawyers or even running around trying to figure out what’s mine, when I lost it, why’d you take it. And you know why?”

“Why?” It sounds like the Jaws of Life had to pry the word from her lips.

“Because what is for me, is for me. I don’t have to worry about somebody stealing it and I don’t have to prove that it is or ever was mine. Even if it begins in the wrong place, with the wrong person, if it’s meant for me, it will find me.” I pause to let that sink in. “Hefoundme.”

I don’t regret my words in the strained silence that follows. I’m sorry things rolled out like this, but I didn’t do anything wrong.

“My lawyers will send over paperwork to put in writing that you have no claim to the show,” Zere says, her voice stilted. “And that your only interest is as Chapel’s manager. I did let you keep that.”

“You didn’tletme keep that. Chapel and I have a relationship that predates her time onLewksand will continue beyond this project with you.”

“Whatever, Hendrix.”

“Look, at our big age, I’d hoped we could continue working together like grown women who are about their business, but that’s obviously not happening so I wish you the best.”

“You don’t even get how hurt I am, do you?”

“You’re wrong. I do because I know how much it would hurt if I lost Maverick. I get it and I’m prepared to accept any decision with which you are comfortable. You were the one who introduced lawyers and tried to make me feel like I’ve wronged you, when I know I haven’t. Soplease don’t think I’m ceding any moral high ground to you because you used to date my boyfriend.”

The word that I toyed with, wasn’t sure I should even use, falls from my lips so easily, as if he’s always been mine. And it feels that way. There is an always-ness to my connection with Maverick, even from the beginning. An evergreen alchemy that may have been waiting since the beginning of time for therighttime.

“You’ll regret this,” Zere said. “You want to give up a fantastic opportunity for a man, you go right ahead.”

“This is not the end of my career in television. There will be another show, and I’ll meet that moment just like I do any other that is for me. What I want, I go after, and what I go after, I usually get.”

“I just bet you do. You got Maverick.”

“Oh, I didn’t go after him. He came for me.”

I don’t mean or want to hurt her, but she keeps provoking me and I’m having trouble staying in control and being magnanimous at the same time. I see right through her cellophane confidence to the hurt beneath the jibes, and my heart softens.

“You know, Zere,” I say. “We are both women trying our best and doing big things against the odds. You won’t ever catch me tearing someone else down, especially not another woman, and most especially not another Black one. I don’t want to be at odds with you. I grew up in church, and for the benediction we used to sayall hearts and minds clear. I’m telling you that my heart and my mind are clear as relates to you. I hope, in time, we can repair what has been broken between us, but if we never do, I still wish you the best in all things.”

She’s quiet for a moment, and the only sound on the line is a sniff I’m sure she wishes I hadn’t heard.

“Goodbye, Hendrix.”

And the line goes dead.

I sit on the edge of the desk for a moment to do a heart check.

Am I disappointed?For damn sure.

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