Page 118 of Business Casual

Imani Jones:Tre, talk to me. What’s wrong?

Tre Franklin:Just under a lot of pressure right now and I’m feeling that shit. It’s nothing that I can’t handle though. I appreciate you checking in on me.

Imani Jones: Have you talked to your dad?

Tre Franklin:No, not yet.

I was stressed and distracted, but something about Tre’s text concerned me. We had a meeting with his father and others in a little more than an hour and I knew it was a risk, but instead of texting him back, I went directly to his office.

“Good morning,” he greeted me with a warm smile. “Come in. To what do I owe this surprise?”

“Do you have time to talk?” I asked, locking the door behind me.

“I’ll always make time for you.”

Walking backwards in the direction of the window, I asked, “How much time are you able to give me?”

He checked his watch. “Unfortunately, only about fifteen minutes.”

“Okay.” I nodded, dropping my bag in the chair in front of his desk. Turning, I continued my trek to the window. “Come do this meditation with me.”

“Meditation?” His tone was questioning yet amused. “Anything for you, Imani.”

We stood shoulder to shoulder at the window, overlooking the beautiful garden and landscape.

“You have a lot on your plate. The decision of the board in a few days. You haven’t spoken to your father. You were here very late. And things didn’t play out as smoothly as we would’ve liked so I know that didn’t help.”

“I’m okay. I don’t want you to worry—”

“I love you,” I interrupted, whipping my head in his direction. “Of course, I’m going to worry about you.”

The corners of his mouth turned upward. “How did I get so lucky?”

“You must’ve been a very good boy,” I teased.

“I can show you how good…” He reached out to touch me and I swatted his hand away.

“Focus!” I giggled. “It’s meditation time.”

“Okay, okay.” He held his hands up in surrender. “Whatever you say.”

I smirked. “Face the window and close your eyes.”

He straightened his head and closed his eyes.

I moved so I was standing directly behind him. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I hugged him from behind.

“I love you, too, Imani,” he admitted softly.

“I know. Now take a deep breath in,” I instructed, doing it with him. “And out. Inhale. Now exhale.” I unraveled my arms from him and rubbed his back. “Keep going.”

As he did his breathing exercise, I quietly rolled the armless chair behind him.

“Do you trust me?” I asked as I put a hand towel down to cover the seat of the leather chair.

“Yes,” he replied without hesitation.

After removing my panties and placing them on the table, I moved the chair back a foot. “Take one step back. No peeking.”

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