Legacy: It's Never Black and White in Love and Business by E.W. Brooks Page A

difficult.  I’m not here to complicate things for you. I’m here to give you options.” 
    “Oh, so you’re one of those kind?” Tesha said, as she looked this sexy man in the face. 
    “What kind is that, Baby Girl?” 
    “The kind that is so used to dating babies that they use words like ‘baby girl.’” 
    James chuckled to himself as Tesha continued.  
    “It must have been some time since you’ve had a real life grown woman,” she said before raising her hand to call the bartender. 
    “Look, I don’t want to waste your time, so I’ll keep this brief. Your daughter is marrying my nephew.” 
    Tesha looked at the chocolate drop sitting on the stool across from her, “Nigga, what do you take me for? Matthew and Marcellus are white.” 
    “You can’t always judge a book by its cover. You’re fine as hell and don’t get me wrong, but you’re as black as a pan and your daughter looks like one of the Kardashians. Genetics can do some crazy shit, man.” 
    “You got that right,” Tesha echoed thinking about her lily white daughter. “So, what are you saying? Are you saying that he Marlowes are black?” 
    “I ain’t saying shit until I know I can trust you.” James continued. “I didn’t know how you would react, but I get the feeling that we’re on the same page with this. 
    “I don’t know that we’re even in the same book. I can’t shake the feeling that you’re wasting my time,” Tesha responded getting annoyed. 
    “What would you say if I said Marcellus Marlowe is my brother?” 
    “I would say stop lying, because that man is white as a sheet and your ass is dark as night. Oh, yeah, I’m the Easter Bunny’s sister, too,” Tesha shook her head and laughed. 
    James smiled, “I could say the same thing about your daughter.” 
    “Look here mutha fucka. Are you really brave enough to bring my daughter into this?” 
    “Calm down, Ma. I’m just making a point. Marcellus and I had the same crackhead mother, except his father was white. We go to the orphanage together, but then some white couple takes him and his life changes forever.” 
    “Oh, so they left your little black ass at the orphanage, huh?” Tesha asked. 
    “Oh, now you got jokes?” 
    “Nah, I’m just askin’. Excuse me for not being more sensitive. I just don’t get why you’re so caught up in the past. It looks like you’re doing alright for yourself now,” Tesha responded, trying to soften her response. 
    “That was my hand, and I played it. I’m not complaining. Marcellus was good to me for a while, but then his ambitions left his black sheep of a brother out in the cold.” 
    “What do you need him for? You’re not hurting. Your hands are manicured, your clothes are fresh and those shoes are hot to death. I can appreciate your story, but what does any of this have to do with me or my daughter.” 
    “Don’t you want your piece of the pie?” James asked. 
    “Hell, yeah. I love pie. What’s your angle?” Tesha said, leaning in to listen closer. 
    “I think you and I should get married.” 
    “What? Nigga, I don’t know you.” 
    “You can get to know me while we get to know this paper,” James responded. 
    “Where I’m from, a nigga get you a ring or something when he wanna get married,” Tesha said, actually warming up to the idea. 
    “Tesha, believe it or not, I think we were made for each other.” 
    She stood to her feet. “That remains to be seen.” 
    “I’ll call you tomorrow. I know I hit you with a lot, but we gotta move fast.” 
    “I’m not wrapping my head around this. Why do we need to be married?” 
    “Can you imagine what we can do if we work together. The underdogs can win this time,” James pleaded, “Please just have a seat. I’m gonna lay out the blueprint for you.” 
    For the first time of the evening, Tesha felt relaxed. This dude had a plan and that was more than she had now that Edwina had written her off. Why not stick it to