Page 6 of Mr. On Your Knees
“We’ll make it happen, no doubt,” Noah said then circled back to answer Jared’s earlier question. “But right now, all is well on my end. What’s going on with you two? Oh, wait, congratulations Mr. Black Charlotte,” he said to Caspian. “I’m proud of you man, and I have no doubt that you’re going to represent the organization well.”
The Mr. Black Organization had chapters in all the major cities, and every four years the cities chose a new Mr. Black representative. While this would be Caspian’s first year, Noah was in his last year, and Jared was in his second.
For the next few minutes, they talked Mr. Black business. The organization sponsored each community’s Juneteenth celebration, but Mr. Black of each city was responsible for hosting the event.
Noah recounted the black-tie gala and silent auction he usually planned for the Saturday before Juneteenth. In Atlanta, that holiday was always filled with parades, fairs, comedy festivals, and other daytime events. So, he did it big with an evening of elegance that shined the spotlight on those making a difference in the Black community. Their plans this year were bigger and better than years before.
“This will be my first-time hosting,” Caspian said, explaining how he had an arts festival planned. It was definitely a great idea, especially since his wife, Nia, did pottery and it would give her an opportunity to showcase her work. Yeah, Caspian was the only one of their crew who was married and had been for three years now.
“What about you, Jared? What do you have planned for this year?” Noah asked.
“Since this is my first year as the manager of The Carrington, it’s where I’m planning to have my event. I’ll be bringing my “A” game. We’re going to have a Juneteenth Black Art Exhibition and Masquerade Ball. I’m going down to the gallery tomorrow to finalize the pieces created by Black artists that have been selected for the event. And the guest list for the Masquerade Ball is already filling up with the city’s most prominent Black entrepreneurs, philanthropists and community leaders.”
He was getting excited just thinking about all the fantastic things they had planned for this event. Jason was on board with highlighting their history and culture as long as it remained true to the luxury nature of the hotel, which Jared fully intended to do, especially with Desi’s help with the décor.
“By the way, do you guys remember Desi?” he asked, changing the subject slightly.
“Yeah, that’s the woman who dumped you when you told her you wanted to see other women,” Caspian said shaking his head.
“Dude, it wasn’t like that,” he argued weakly. From the way Desi had looked at him with barely held disdain Friday, it was probably exactly how she recalled their break-up.
“Okay, okay, maybe that wasn’t exactly like I remember,” Caspian finally conceded, with a smirk that said he knew he wasn’t wrong, “but what about her?”
“She’s one of the event designers who interviewed for the Juneteenth project.”
“Ahh, hell,” Noah said louder than intended. “Please tell me you didn’t interview her.”
Jared sighed. “I can’t tell that lie. I interviewed her Friday and I’ve scheduled a second meeting with her tomorrow.”
“So, you hired her?” Noah asked. “You haven’t seen her in how long? And the first time you do, you give her a job. What are you thinking, man? How’re you going to work with her after the history you share?”
“He’s right, man,” Caspian added. “We remember how it looked like she’d stripped your apartment down to the studs when she moved out and then blocked you on all her social media accounts. You sure this is a smart move?”
He could only shrug because everything they’d just said was absolutely true, the questions they posed were valid and yet… “I want her back,” he said.
There were a few moments of silence.
“Well, I guess that’s that,” Noah said. “Keep us posted on how that turns out.”
Noah had raised skeptical brows after that comment and Jared opted not to speak on the topic anymore. Hell, he didn’t know what else to say above the fact that he’d decided in the twenty minutes of that very strained and sexually charged interview that he wanted Desi in his life again. How he planned to go about making that happen, he had no clue.
Caspian had remained quiet, rubbing his full beard until Jared and Noah had finished speaking. A shared glance with Noah acknowledged they both knew something was up with him.
“All right, Caspian, what’s going on with you?” Jared asked before Noah could form the words.
Noah lifted his mug to his lips. “Before you say it’s nothing,” he piped in, “remember, we know you, and the way you’re rubbing your beard says that something is heavy on your mind.”
Caspian chuckled then sighed. “It’s Nia.”
“Is she alright?” Noah asked concerned.
“Physically, she’s fine, but she’s pissed at me right now. Pissed enough to divorce me if I don’t make some changes.” Caspian ran a hand down his face then rubbed the back of his neck.
“Okay, this sounds serious,” Jared said. And more than a little concerning. As much as he hadn’t wanted to admit it to himself in these past years, Caspian and Nia had secretly been goals for him. Especially after letting Desi walk out of his life.
“She’s been complaining about all the time I spend here at the office and about all the work I’ve been doing with the various community initiatives. Now that I’m Mr. Black Charlotte, she’s livid. She thinks it’ll be just one more thing that eats up my time. Time that we should be spending together.”
“Man, that’s tough,” Jared said. “Maybe you just need to figure out what’s most important to you—your business or your wife. I mean, I think we all know the answer, but you’ve really got to be honest with yourself here.” Something Jared knew he hadn’t done when things started going downhill with him and Desi.
