Page 2 of The Last Man on Earth
“Mm hm. See, I think youreallycalled to ask about Villain.”
She’s silent for a beat. “I’m truly offended that you would think I would be manipulative like that.”
I wait for it.
“But is he there yet?”
There it is. Then I hear my niece’s voice in the background. “What’d she say? Is he there?”
“Tell Jada to mind her fourteen-year-old business.”
“Titi said mind your business.”
“And as for you,” I say, “I’ve flown with plenty of celebrities. Why are y’all so geeked over this?”
“Girl, that man is so damn fine.”
“Finer than your husband?”
Shara sucks her teeth. “Don’t tell him, but yeah.”
“Stop.”
“I’m not saying you should try to…hold on… Jada. Go find something to do.”
I hear whining, then Shara comes back.
“Sorry. She was ear-hustling. Anyway, I’m not saying you should try to hook up with the man. But if you do, not only would I not judge, I would take you out to dinner after and listen to every dirty detail.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s getting married this weekend. Did you forget that part?”
She scoffs. “He don’t even like that girl.”
“They have a kid.”
“Like niggas don’t put babies in women they hate.”
“Whatever, Shar. I have things to do.”
“Okay, okay. Can you at least sneak a photo of him for me?”
“Bye Shar.”
“Okay, wait.” She takes a deep breath. “I love you. And the girls love you.”
The earnestness in her tone gives me pause. “I love y'all, too. And Tariq.”
It’s quiet for a minute before she finally says, “Call me when you land.”
“I always do.”
I slip my phone back in my bag and take a look around, savoring the quiet before the chaos arrives.
The Monarch is the best jet in the Echelon fleet. The gold-stitched cream leather seats, polished walnut tables that fold out with a click as soft as a whisper, brass fixtures that gleam in the light, and fully stocked premium bar earned it the nicknamePalace in the Sky.
Despite its reputation, Villain’s people sent over a rider with special requests; Ace of Spades, which already chilling in a gold ice bucket, gourmet snacks, and imported chocolates, among other things. That’s all set.
I inspect the electronics next. The flat screens slide down at the press of a button like they’re supposed to. Hidden speakers are wired for Bluetooth, ready to produce the perfect stereo sound.
