Free Confessions by Sasha Campbell Page A

and drinks starting at twenty dollars, only men with money were inside, and that was exactly what Ms. Netta was looking for. I needed a sponsor, to sponsor the purchase of my diamond ring. I had already tried it on, so I knew how good it looked on my finger. Folks were gonna be hating.
    I climbed out and sashayed around my car and handed the keys to the valet, then went inside. I walked in and a tall, honey-colored brotha was onstage, blowing on a saxophone. Damn, I love me some jazz.
    There was a light crowd. A few desperate-looking chicks were sitting at some of the tables. As soon as I walked in, heads snapped in my direction. None of them could hold a torch to me. I was looking fabulous in a short skirt and matching pink blazer. Did I mention how good I look in pink? The color makes my caramel skin glow and my hazel eyes luminous. While in my car, I undid the top two buttons of a cream blouse to give my double Ds a little breathing room, and every man in the house turned my way. I looked good, and I wasn’t the only one who knew it. All eyes were on me! I sashayed into the lounge in a pair of fuchsia Manolos. Sistah girl was fierce!
    I moved over to the bar and took a seat on an empty stool. Beneath my mascara lashes, I saw those heffas sitting in the corner hating on me. I simply pursed my magenta-painted lips and gave them a fabulous smile, then rolled my eyes and focused on the handsome man behind the bar. Light skinned, thick mustache, tall, hard build. Brotha was fine as hell. Unfortunately, he was standing on the wrong side of the bar. The side that said his ass was broke and definitely couldn’t afford me.
    â€œWhat up, sexy? What can I get you this evening?” he asked with a panty-dropping grin.
    I pursed my lips and gave him a once-over. If I wasn’t on a mission I might be giving him some serious consideration, but after that mess with Cory, I needed to keep reminding myself dick ain’t everything. “I’ll take an apple martini with Grey Goose.”
    â€œComing right up.”
    I pulled my cell phone out my purse and dialed Nikki. While pretending to be making a serious call, I glanced around the club looking for a new sponsor. I needed a high roller, ’cause Ms. Netta needed a ring and a new house.
    I’d been doing this a long time, and it didn’t take me long to pick the perfect victim in the corner. Salt and pepper hair. Peanut butter brown. Slightly overweight. Oh, yeah. I love a man with a little extra meat on his bones, because those were the ones desperate enough to give me anything I wanted. He was perfect. And sure enough, it wasn’t long before he looked my way. I met his piercing dark eyes, then looked away. The last thing I wanted was for him to think I was interested in him. One thing Ms. Netta never does is make the first move.
    â€œHello? Hello? Trinette?”
    Damn, I forgot I called Nikki. “Hey, gurl.”
    â€œWhat’s all that loud music? Where you at?”
    â€œI’m at Smooth’s.” I stole a glance across the bar at the handsome stranger and smiled as I spoke. He followed my lips and hung on every word. Grinning, I crossed my legs, and my skirt rose up past the middle of my smooth caramel thigh. By the look on his face, he was definitely a thigh man.
    â€œUgh! What you doing in that stuck-up place?”
    Sometimes I wonder how Nikki and I are such good friends because we’re so different. But they say opposites attract. “Girl, it’s some fine men up in here. You need to go home, put on something cute and come over here.” Mr. Sexy winked from across the room. I winked back.
    â€œNah, I just got a big shipment in and I wanna check inventory before I get outta here this evening.”
    â€œNikki, that shit will be there tomorrow. Bring yo ass down here! Remember you said you were ready to get on with your life?…Well…it’s that time.”
    She hesitated, then replied, “Maybe