Page 7

Taraji laughed, a watery sound. “God, I forgot about that.”

Keisha grinned. “I’ve always got your back. And if Nikolai gets it too? That’s a blessing, T.”

She took a long sip of wine. “I just... I need a break. From all of it. Can we have a girls’ night? Like, old-school with pajamas, movies, junk food?”

Keisha perked up instantly. “Hell yes! Actually, you know what? Let’s make it a real treat: invite Jasmine, yoga in the living room, face masks, massages, the works. I’ll cook. Or we’ll order Thai. Your call.”

Her face lit up. “You’re a genius. I’ll text Jasmine now.”

She pulled out her phone and quickly tapped a message:

Keisha leaned over and hugged her. “See? You’re not alone, T. We’ve got you. Always.”

The tension starts easing from her shoulders until she relaxes completely. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Keisha smirked. “Probably be in jail for slapping Mary-Anne. Or for murder. But I’d be your lawyer, so we’d be good.”

Taraji giggled, feeling lighter. “You’re the best, Keish.”

Keisha topped off their glasses. “To surviving shitty men, and to finding someone who gets you. And to girls’ night.”

They clinked glasses, laughter echoing through the apartment, the promise of healing and sisterhood filling the room.

…

Taraji finds herself sandwiched between Keisha and Jasmine as they walk the short three blocks to their favorite Thai place, House of Thai. The air is warm, laughter and city noise swirling around them. The night feels full of possibility, like old times.

Keisha loops her arm through her’s. “You ready for an epic girls’ night, T? I’m talking stretchy pants, face masks, and enough carbs to put us into a coma.”

Jasmine giggles. “I brought lavender oil and my good yoga mat. And I’m not sharing it with you two if you spill Thai curry on it again.”

Taraji grins, feeling lighter than she has all week. “I solemnly swear, no noodles on the yoga mat.”

They step inside House of Thai, the spicy scent of basil and lemongrass wrapping around them like a hug. The line is short, just a few people waiting for their orders. The women stand off to the side, reading the menu for the hundredth time.

As Keisha and Jasmine debate the merits of spring rolls versus dumplings, Taraji steps aside to text Nikolai a quick thank you for checking on her earlier.

A man sidles up to her, standing just a bit too close. He’s tall, with slicked-back hair and a cocky smile. “Hey there, beautiful. Haven’t seen you around here before.”

She sniffed but didn't look up from her phone. “I’m just here with friends.”

He leans in, dropping his voice as if sharing a secret. “Come on, you can ditch them for a little bit. Let me buy you a drink.”

She shakes her head, stepping back. “No, thank you. I’m not interested.”

He grins wider, undeterred. “Don’t be like that. I just want to talk. You got a boyfriend or something?”

From the corner of her eyes, she sees Jasmine look over, brow furrowing as she sees her discomfort.

Keisha’s eyes narrow, but before either of them can step in, the man moves closer, lowering his voice to a whisper Taraji can’t ignore.

“Don’t play hard to get, sweetheart. You’ll have more fun with me. ”

Taraji’s jaw tightens. With her back straight and voice firm, she lets him know “I said no. Please leave me alone.”

He laughs, rolling his eyes. “Damn, you’re uptight. Bet I could loosen you up— ”

Suddenly, a different male voice cuts in, cool and steady. “She said no. Walk away.”

A large man with kind eyes and a chef’s apron stands behind the counter. He folds his arms, gaze sharp as glass. “You need to show some respect, man. Or leave.”

The would-be suitor sneers, sizing up the chef, but the chef doesn’t flinch. The man mutters under his breath and finally slinks away, shooting Taraji one last, sour look as he pushes out the door.

Taraji exhales shakily. Jasmine immediately wraps an arm around her. “Are you okay?”

Keisha steps closer, her voice fierce. “You want me to trip him in the street? I will. I’ve got the shoes for it.”

She manages a weak smile. “I’m okay. Thank you.”

The chef gives her a gentle nod. “You ladies stick together. No one messes with you here.”

Jasmine flashes him a grateful smile. “Thank you for stepping in.”

He waves them off, smiling. “Just doing my job. Now what can I get you?”

They place their order, Keisha cracking jokes to lighten the mood, Jasmine fussing over Taraji’s arm as if she might break. The tension melts away as their food arrives, fragrant and hot, and they step out into the night, arms linked tighter than before.

Keisha nudges me, her voice softening. “You good, T?”

Taraji starts nodding, a real smile returning. “Yeah. I’ve got my girls. That’s all I need tonight.”

Jasmine squeezes her hand. “Let’s get home, light some candles, and eat till we can’t move.”

Keisha grins. “And then we’ll yoga just enough to justify dessert.”

They laugh, the city lights twinkling overhead, and walk home together safe, strong, and unstoppable.

…

“Now that the food is done. And the yoga session is complete. SPILL the TEA!!” Jasmine may work at another building but her connection to everyone surprise me sometimes.

“How did you know” She couldn’t help but ask as we sip our wines on the couch. But Taraji starts recounting the day again while Jasmine listens with wide eyes.

"Girl he fired Jerome on the spot?"

"In front of everyone." One more sip of her wine touches her lip before she says.

"And then you kissed him?"

"He kissed me." She correct her so the facts are straight. "But yes."

Jasmine squeals. "About damn time."

"What?"

What the hell is going on. This is not the first time and seems like it wont be the last.

"He's been eye-fucking you for years." Jasmine rolls her eyes. "Everyone sees it."

"Why didn't you say something?"

"Would you have believed me?" Keisha raises an eyebrow.

She takes a deep sigh. "Probably not."

"So what now?" Jasmine nudges me.

"I don't know."Taraji hugs a pillow closer to her body as her mind wanders back to the feel of his arms around her own. "It's complicated."

"Only if you make it that way." Keisha refills their glasses. "What do you want?"

The question echoes Nikolai's. "Something scares me."

"What?"

"I..." Taraji hesitates but before she can finish her thought, her phone starts ringing. Nikolai's name appears.

"Speak of the devil." Keisha winks. "Answer it."

“Hello?”She’s a little curious to see what he wants.

“Good evening, Taraji. Did I catch you at a bad time? ”

His voice washes over her but she laughs softly. “No, it’s perfect. Me and the girls are curled up on the couch with some wine and a heating pad. Glamorous, I know.”

“I’m sure you make it look better than anyone else could.”

She snorts. “Flattery, Volkov? You must want something.”

“Perhaps. But mostly I just wanted to hear your voice.”

She quieted down for a second. Her mind starts racing with thoughts of his kiss “Well, you’ve got it. What about you? Did you have a good night?”

“Productive,” he answers, voice smooth. “Tied up some loose ends.” he takes a deep breathe “Nothing interesting.”

Hmmmmm.

“Sounds mysterious. Is that code for ‘I spent the day intimidating people in a three-piece suit’?”

He chuckles, low and her stomach flutters from the deep sound of his voice “Something like that.”

Before she could reply, a yawn rips out of her. With a little embarrassment she told him “Sorry. These massages always make me sleepy. Keisha and Jasmine got me to do yoga. You would’ve laughed at how inflexible I am.”

“I doubt that,” he murmurs. “I think I will find you very flexible when you want to be.”

O Chile.

That bring a laugh out of her that leaves her a little breathless. “You’re terrible.”

“Only for you,” he says, “What did you eat?”

Thai, Thai, should I tell him. Arghh might as well, just thinking of the rice got me hungry again.

“Too much. Curry puffs, pad Thai, mango sticky rice. I think I’m going to explode.”

“Sounds perfect. I’m glad you had a good night.”

Taraji turned quiet for a moment, her breathing soft through the line. “I did. It was… easy. For the first time in a while, I didn’t feel like everyone was judging me.”

“They’re idiots if they do,” he says instantly, voice hardening. “You’re the most extraordinary woman I know. ”

“You don’t have to say that.”

“I don’t say things I don’t mean,” he replies. “You should know that by now.”

“I’m still getting used to all of this. You, caring what I think. Protecting me.”

He softens. “You deserve it. You always have.”

Taraji shifts in her seat and look over at the other girls to see them dosing off but she had to tell him. “I keep replaying what happened earlier in my head. I can’t believe you just… did that. For me.”

He’s quiet, his tone darkening a notch. “I would do far more than that for you, Taraji. No one lays a hand on you. Not ever again.”

“I believe you.”

“Good girl.”

Taraji’s breath hitches and her clit pulse from the phrase. “You keep saying things like that and I’m going to get ideas.”

“Maybe you should,” he growls softly. “I want you thinking about me. About us.”

“Well I think of my therapist more. Are you jealous of my massage therapist?”

“Should I be?”

“He’s seventy and calls everyone ‘darling.’ You have nothing to worry about, darling.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Taraji couldn’t help but tease him and say “Maybe you can give me a massage someday.”

“I plan to,” he says, voice dropping. “But you won’t be thinking about yoga, I promise you that.”

She laughs, a little nervous, a little excited. “You’re impossible.”

“Only for you,” he repeats, softer now. “Are you tired?”

“A little, but I like talking to you. I… missed you.”

His breath catches. “I missed you too. More than you know.”

“Will you be at the office Monday?”

“I will. Will you come see me? ”

“Of course, I’ve been thinking about… us.”

He lets out a slow breath. “As have I.”

We fall into a comfortable silence. She finally breaks it, voice soft and vulnerable. “Thank you. For everything. For believing in me, even when I didn’t.”

“Always, Taraji. Always.”

His voice drops lower. "I can't wait to see you."

"Me too." she pauses. "I should get some sleep."

"Goodnight Taraji."

"Goodnight Daddy." It comes out so says it so naturally until she realizes what she said "I mean—" Taraji looks at the phone and hangs up immediately.

Realization hits her and her face starts to burn. She looks at her girls and wince as Keisha's mouth hangs open.

"Did you just. Bitchhhh!!!" Jasmine begins.

"Don't." she covers her face. "Please don't."

Jasmine’s laughter fills the apartment. Taraji groans but soon she and Keisha joins in.