Too Little, Too Late by Victoria Christopher Murray Page B

sorry.”
    “Thank you, Ms. Jasmine. We’re hopeful. We’re a praying family, you know.”
    “I know. I’ll come home right now.”
    “Oh, no. Just come after work. I want to give my daughter and her husband some time tonight. But I want to spend the night with them tomorrow.”
    “Definitely.” Jasmine clicked off her phone and told Mae Frances the news. “Mrs. Sloss’s daughter makes my problems seem so trivial.” Jasmine rose from her seat and sighed. “I don’t know how I’m going to watch Natasia without Mrs. Sloss being there to help me with Jacquie.”
    “Jasmine Larson, this woman has you so frazzled you’re forgetting your resources. I’ll go to Los Angeles with you. We’ll take care of Natasia Redding together.”
    Jasmine scurried around the desk and wrapped her arms around her friend. “Thank you!” She kissed her cheek.
    Mae Frances grumbled. “I’m only doing this so that I don’t have to be part of this bet we have going. In L.A., I won’t have to worry about going to church.” She paused and with laughter in her eyes, she asked, “Or do you plan to force me to go to church out there, too?”
    “I’m sure Hosea will find a church for us, Nama.”
    Mae Frances sucked her teeth. “Well, if I have to go, I will. But tell Preacher Man to find a good church. With someone who knows the Word. And who’s preaching it. Like his daddy.”
    Jasmine laughed. With Mae Frances by her side, Natasia Redding didn’t stand a chance.

    “You’re working late,” Malik said.
    Jasmine pushed away from her computer and glanced at her godbrother standing at the door. “I’m trying to get as much done as I can before I leave.” She motioned for Malik to take a seat. “Thanks for not having a problem with this.”
    “No biggie. Your team will hold it down. And there’s always the telephone.”
    “And airplanes. If you need me I’ll be on the first thing smokin’.”
    “I may take you up on that.” Malik loosened his tie. “And you can always work from de Janeiro,” he said, referring to their sister club in Los Angeles.
    She shook her head. She wasn’t going anywhere near that place—where she met Brian Lewis. Where their affair started. “No, I’m staying far away from there.”
    “Because of Brian?”
    “Because my life is about my husband and daughter. I don’t want any part of anything that might bring drama.”
    Malik nodded. “I’m really proud of you, Jas. You’re handling this marriage thing.”
    “That’s why I’m going to Los Angeles. To keep my marriage straight.”
    He frowned, and for the second time that day, she told the story of Natasia. She ended by saying, “So, I’m going to keep an eye on Natasia and if God is on my side, I’ll get rid of her, too.”
    His lips were pressed together as he studied her words. “I hear what you’re sayin’, just keep your hands on top of the table. In plain sight. For everyone to see. Especially Hosea.”
    “I’m not sure that’s possible with someone like Natasia.”
    “Stay clean.” He spoke slowly, his warning in his tone. “Remember, no secrets from Hosea.”
    Jasmine sighed. “Wish that were true.”
    He held up his hands. “I don’t even want to know.”
    “You already do,” Jasmine said. Indeed, Malik knew all of her secrets. She’d told her godbrother about her lies, even about Hosea not being Jacqueline’s father, before that secret had been exposed. “I haven’t told any new lies.”
    “Why don’t you just tell Hosea that you were married before? And that age thing…that’s no biggie. Lots of women…and men lie about that.”
    Jasmine pushed herself from her chair and strolled to the window. Like the summer day that was just now taking its bow, Jasmine wished her past would fade away as seamlessly. In her mind, she could almost see that happening. Over and over, she played the scenario where she would go to Hosea and confess the truth. But that’s where the tape ended. She could never get to