Page 14 of Kayla's List

However, in my quest to be my most authentic self, people tend to take that as some sort of slight against them. I’m not unwilling to be polite. I just feel like politeness gets misconstrued as weakness. People often think they can negotiate with politeness. They can’t.

My thoughts are interrupted by a very voluptuous black woman who taps me on my shoulder. I look up into her pretty face and smile. She smiles back and motions to the seat beside me. I’ve never had someone be so bold. It intrigues me, so I nod for her to sit down.

We’ve had dinner, and now we’re at a loungy type bar. Of course, I was being antisocial while everyone was drinking and dancing. I instead chose to sit in some comfy chairs away from the action.

“You look like you need some company.”

I skeptically raise my brow. My face, even in deep thought, never gives the impression that I want tohave company.“And what about my look says that?” I question with a smirk.

She simply shrugs with a chuckle.

She sits back and crosses her shapely legs. Her brown skin glows, and it looks smooth to the touch. The berry color on her lips accentuates their fullness when she smiles, and the twinkle in her dark brown eyes tells me she’s being mischievous.

“My name is Monique.”

“Anderson.” We shake hands, and I notice the gigantic rock on her finger. I don’t know how I missed it, but it definitely gives the impression that she is very taken.

“You remind me of my husband. Brooding in a corner instead of relaxing like a normal human.”

I quirk my head to the side and really look at the woman in a nonsexual manner. It hits me all at once, and I feel like a complete idiot. Although she’s not a celebrity, I should’ve immediately recognized her.

“Wait. Monique… Grant?” I question, trying and failing to keep the awe out of my voice.

It was like I manifested her presence by talking about her with Brady. I never thought I would randomly see her in a bar, though. I thought I would have to schmooze and bribe a few people to get close totheMonique Grant.

Pearson Grant is known to be a tyrant, and I heard if you even look at his wife wrong, he would whoop your ass then bury your body, never to be seen again. Now, I’m not afraid of any man and I can hold my own in a fight, but I’m smart enough not to make unnecessary enemies, especially not one as successful and rich as Pearson.

“Yes. I’m Monique Grant. How’d you know that?” She quirks her head to the side with a curious expression on her face. And I can tell right away that she’s not being facetious. She really doesn’t know how well known she is.

“I… uhh... I own a technology firm.TechX-us A&M. You’re kinda famous in the tech world around Dallas.”

“Oh yeah! I’ve heard of you guys. You have a sports app, right?” Monique questions with a nod of recognition.

I smile and puff out my chest a little. “Yes! We ownManiacal Sports.How’d you know that?” It was my turn to ask. Even though we’re making our mark on the tech world, we’re still not well known.

“My husband is Pearson Grant, remember. If it has to do with technology, he knows about it. And in turn, so do I.” Monique smiles her beautiful smile at me, and I can’t help but return it.

“Speaking of your husband…” I say, looking around as if he will jump out at any minute.

“I’m surprised that you’re out in Vegas alone.”

“Yeah, well, just because I’m not surrounded by people doesn’t mean I’m alone.” Monique chuckles with a nod toward a wall behind us.

I turn and glance over my shoulder, and I’m shocked to see a very scary Asian man. I have no idea how I missed him. He’s a lot of things, huge, menacing, deadly looking, but inconspicuous isn’t one of them.

“Right. I guess someone in your position should have a bodyguard.”

“My position as what? A wife to a lunatic?” Monique chuckles again.

I nod my head because I’ve heard the stories.

“So, Anderson, are you going to tell me why you’re sitting in a corner by yourself brooding?”

“I’m not brooding. That’s just my regular face setting.” I smirk at her. But I can tell by the twist of her lips that she doesn’t believe me.

The last thing I’m going to do is tell my idol’s wife about my woman problems. No matter how easy it is for me to talk to her, Monique is still a stranger. How would it look for me to drop all of my personal issues on her?

“Well, I can tell a stubborn man when I see one.” Monique shakes her head.