Suspicions by Sasha Campbell

through.
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    â€œOut to have a drink with my boy.”
    Kimbel knew I hated when he hung out with PJ. Even though he was married, PJ messed around on his wife. That was definitely not the type of influence Kimbel needed. “Instead of walking out on me, we should talk.”
    â€œWe’re done talking. You said no and I respect that. I’ll see you later.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek, then headed out the door. Within minutes I heard his Jaguar pull away. I sat there for the longest time scared to death. In my head, I could hear that stupid conversation the other day at the salon. Those heifers had me thinking again. If Kimbel wanted a blow job, how long would it be before he found someone who was willing to do what I wouldn’t?

6
    Candace
    I had stepped into Situations and was heading over to Tiffany’s booth, when something—correction— someone caught my eye.
    â€œWho’s that?” Obviously—my question wasn’t quiet, because some nosy female sitting on the couch to my far right whipped her matted head around, looked my way, and smiled.
    My girl Tiffany glanced up from her client’s hair and followed the direction of my eyes. “Oh, that’s Chauncey,” she replied, eyes beaming like she knew something that I didn’t.
    â€œChauncey? When he start working here?” I came into the salon at least once a month to get my hair and nails done, but I’d never seen him before. Trust me, a man that fine . . . I would have remembered.
    â€œHe’s been here almost two months. Remember, you cancelled your appointment last month.”
    She was right, which was the reason why I desperately needed some serious work on my toes. The polish was chipped and my heels were so crusty I put a hole in my pantyhose this morning.
    All the seats in the waiting room were taken, so I stood over near Tiffany while she put a relaxer in some chick’s hair. The whole time I was watching him out the corner of my eyes.
    â€œHe’s fine, ain’t he?” Tiffany teased.
    Fine wasn’t the word. He was sexy as all get out, but I wasn’t about to let her know that. “He’s aw’ight,” I replied, trying to act like he was no big deal. Trust me, the last thing I wanted anyone to know was that I was truly feeling a dude that I hadn’t even met yet.
    I leaned against the wall and watched him talking to the owner at the rear of the salon. It was hard to be discreet, yet I couldn’t stop staring. Chauncey’s back was turned and I admired his wide shoulders and the way he filled out a pair of loose-fitting stonewashed jeans. They weren’t sagging to his knees like Tyree wore his pants; instead, they hung from his waist just right.
    He had beautiful dreadlocks that were worn pulled back with a leather band. I could only imagine how they looked swinging around his shoulders. He was about five-ten and weighed at least two hundred. His biceps were large with tattoos that covered the length of both arms. I was dying to know what they said. After a while I felt stupid standing there saying nothing while I stared across the room at some dude who looked too much like a thug for my taste. After Tyree and a handful of others, I decided that I had a habit of picking the wrong men. Well, no more. Tonight I had a blind date with a fourth-year medical student whom one of the nurses at the clinic had hooked me up with. At first I was skeptical about going out with a man I hadn’t even seen, but Brenda had brought in a photo of her nephew and he was a cutie. Not as fine as the dude standing across the room, who was now talking to some fat chick, but good-looking enough for me to go out with him and see where the evening might lead. Brenda told me he was 30 and ready to settle down and start a family. That was enough for me.
    â€œYou still going out tonight?” Tiffany asked as if she had been reading my