Page 24 of The Aries Alliance
I picked up a glass of water and sipped it, raising my eyebrows.
“What is it?”
She shifted her body.
“You’re not as gruff as I thought. This version of you, . . . War, . . . is charming, disarming, and very stealthy.” She gestured up and down my body.
I wrote those words down on my side of the paper, using the time to compose myself as Scarlett’s assessment warmed me from the inside out. I chimed in with my impression of her too.
“You’re disarming and analytical. I’ve never met anyone who was able to use data to break down an argument and highlight how policies have been violated.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m not afraid of white people. Or as bell hooks calls it, the white-supremacist capitalist patriarchy.”
My eyes widened at how blunt and informed Scarlett was when she shared her views. Few people in my professional circle read critical race literature, so racialized, gendered, andsexualized issues weren’t table talk. Even during Black History Month, EFU leaders wouldn’t use the word Black.
Scarlett eyed me with caution.
“Are you cool with that?”
I nodded and wrote her bell hooks phrase on the note before closing the cap on the marker and holding it with my thumb.
“Yeah. You’re like a modern-day abolitionist. We’ll have to figure out how to leverage your knowledge within our overall strategy. Like you, I’m pro-Black and down for our people.”
Scarlett looked back at the paper, this time giving me a tempting view of her elongated neck.
“We both have gifts of influence. I’m on the outside. You’re on the inside.” Scarlett pointed between us. “I can rally the people who haven’t been listened to or protected.”
“And I’ll gather intel on people trying to destroy careers simply because they can.”
“We can then give them a heads up so they can seek legal counsel or get out before they’re fired.”
I tapped on the sticky note with my fingers.
“Exactly.”
We stared at each other as electricity filled the air. It wasn’t just our minds being in sync. Scarlett’s shiny lips and sultry vanilla scent drew my attention, causing me to reach behind her ear and stroke her cheek with my thumb.
“I guess this is what it means to be on one accord.”
“Yes.” She lifted her hand and placed it over mine briefly before releasing it and returning her eyes to the paper.
Instead of doing the same, I studied her profile a few more seconds.
Scarlett bent low to pick up a marker that fell on the floor.
“Ow . . .” She twisted her body and winced.
I instinctively reached for her and felt those hard ridges again.
“Do you need to take this off? It’s obviously too tight.”
She shook her head.
“I’m okay. Let’s finish this so I can relax. It’s been a long day.”
I picked up the marker and bit the tip before placing it on the table.
Scarlett rubbed her ribcage again and then clasped her fingers together. Although I wanted to reprimand her again, I held my tongue.
