Diva Diaries by Janine A. Morris

drunk?”
    â€œI wasn’t drunk at all—it was more to do with me being a black man driving a nice car. And I called my brother to come bail me out.”
    â€œWell, I don’t know what to tell you, Tony—you always have a million excuses. You do this all the time. Quite frankly, it all seems hard to believe.”
    â€œYou’re calling me a liar?”
    â€œNo, I’m just saying I knew you would ...”
    Just then, a loud noise came from the kitchen. Either David dropped something by accident or he made the noise on purpose as a friendly reminder that he was waiting.
    â€œWho is here?” Tony asked.
    â€œI was just about to mention that. I have a friend over, a friend from work. We were about to have breakfast and do some work.”
    â€œIt’s Saturday. And isn’t it a little personal to be doing work at your house?”
    Dakota knew that there was no way she was going to fool Tony into believing it was all innocent—she was in her damn robe, for Christ’s sake. But she figured she’d play his own game on him—that was her story and she was sticking to it.
    â€œOh, no. We worked on some projects here last night. I was waiting on you to show up—you never showed so we just worked for hours and hours. Before we knew it, it was so late I just let him stay over. He lives way out on the Island. So, he slept in the guest room, and now he is up, cooking breakfast.”
    â€œMmm-hmm, Dakota. That sounds like bullshit to me.”
    â€œYou’re calling me a liar?”
    Tony knew right then what Dakota was trying to do, what game she was playing. It was way too familiar for him not to notice.
    â€œNot even. Well, since I am here why don’t I join you two for some breakfast,” he said.
    â€œTony, we really have a lot of work to get done. You will just be a distraction for me.”
    After what looked like an I can’t believe this chick look, Tony replied,
    â€œOK, ’Kota. Well, I am going to let you get back to your business breakfast. I guess you can give me a call when you’re done.”
    â€œOK. I definitely will.”
    She waited as he walked back out the door, gave him a peck good-bye, and closed the door after him.
    Proud of her “playa point” she just earned, she walked to her terrace and waited for him to come into sight. She watched him get in and pull away in his black Cadillac Escalade truck. Once she was sure the coast was clear, she returned to the kitchen. David was sitting at the table, sipping on a cup of orange juice, reading Dakota’s Essence magazine.
    â€œIs everything OK in here?”
    David looked up. “Yes, other than the food getting cold.”
    â€œI’m sorry. Let’s eat.”
    David was so tempted to ask who the guy was belonging to the male voice he’d just heard in the living room, but he figured it wasn’t his place. He hadn’t earned that right, and if she wanted him to know, she would tell him.
    So, they sat there and ate breakfast like nothing had happened.

7
    What a Celebration
    A bout three hours after Jordan had hung up with Chrasey and Dakota, she was all dressed and ready for her and Omar’s anniversary lunch at Jezebel’s. As she slipped her foot into her dark-brown Italian leather pumps, Omar yelled down the hall.
    â€œJordan, phone.”
    â€œWho is it?”
    â€œJayon,” Omar yelled back with a little attitude in his voice.
    Jordan took a deep breath before picking up the receiver that was lying on the table.
    â€œHello,” she said.
    â€œHi, Jordan. I’m sorry to call you at home on a Saturday but I couldn’t sleep last night, “ Jayon said, all in one breath.
    With Omar in the room getting some things together, Jordan felt under pressure.
    â€œIt’s OK, Jayon. We can handle this on Monday.”
    â€œI just want you to know that I am very sorry. I have been going through a lot since the whole