Read Online Slick by Brenda Hampton - Free Book Online

widened. “Last night? Audrey, quit your lying, girl.”
    â€œNo, I’m serious. He and I had a drink at CJ’s, and by the time we left he was all over me. I made it perfectly clear to him that I do not sleep with married men. After that, he walked me to my car and left.”
    â€œReally?” I was pissed, but still a little skeptical about Audrey’s claim. “It doesn’t seem like Jonathan to be so forceful but—”
    â€œWell, he was. He be putting on this act when he’s at work, but don’t get him alone with you. He’s like a wild animal trying to break out of a cage.”
    Disappointed by what Audrey had said, I told her and Jackie I was on my way to the bagel shop to get a bagel. On my way downstairs, I couldn’t help but to replay the entire night in my mind over and over again. I knew Jonathan was hurt, and if he was looking for any woman to give him some attention, I wasn’t going to be the one. After thinking about him never giving me any attention, until reality finally hit him about Dana, I was discouraged with myself for letting things go as far as they did last night.
    When I got back upstairs, many people walked slowly by my desk to look at all the flowers. I got so tired of everybody asking me about them that I posted up a huge sign that said: MY MAN LOVES ME !
    It was almost ten o’clock, so I knew Jonathan was coming in soon. I was a bit nervous about seeing him, but if anything, I really wanted to know how he felt after what happened between us last night.
    As I filed some papers away, the phone rang and it was Dana. I knew her call was coming soon, and when I told her I was a little busy, she wouldn’t let me go.
    â€œYou’ve never been too busy to talk to me before, Sylvia.”
    â€œTruly, today, I am. Jonathan will be here soon and I haven’t done anything this morning.”
    â€œYou never do anything anyway. And if you do any work today, you need to work on throwing all those darn roses in the trashcan.”
    â€œWhew, you are on a roll this morning, aren’t you?”
    â€œYou’re damn right I am. Do you know that playboy husband of mine did not come home until six o’clock this morning?”
    I pretended to be shocked. “For real!”
    â€œYes. And when he got here, he didn’t say anything to me. I tried to argue with him and he completely ignored me. He showered, changed clothes, and left.”
    â€œGirl, that’s a shame.”
    â€œSylvia!”
    â€œWhat!”
    â€œNormally, you have a slew of shit to say.”
    â€œWell, today, I don’t. I told you I was busy.”
    â€œOkay, fine. Then, let me speak to Jonathan.”
    â€œI already told you he wouldn’t be in until eleven.”
    â€œWhere is he?”
    â€œI don’t know. According to his calendar, he should be here soon.”
    â€œGirl, I swear, if he’s sleeping with another woman . . .”
    â€œWhat, Dana? Just what are you going to do when you’ve done nothing but fuck him over?”
    â€œStop taking his side all the time, please. I wish you would see things from my point of view.”
    â€œI’ve tried, Dana. Lord knows I’ve tried, but I will never understand how you could let a man like him slip away. Anyway,” I said, as I saw Jonathan coming through the door. “I’ll tell him to call you when he gets here. I gotta go because Mr. Bradford been walking around and I don’t want him to see me running my mouth on the phone.”
    â€œBye, girl. And call me later. I have something else I need to talk to you about.”
    â€œI will,” I said, hanging up.
    Jonathan stopped at the receptionist’s desk and talked to Sandra. Feeling nervous about seeing him, I stood up and went over to the file cabinet, pretending to be busy. My back was turned, and when he snuck up from behind me, I acted surprised.
    â€œYou startled me,” I said,