Free His Sexy Bad Habit by Cheris Hodges Page A

few stalled projects.”
    “Smart men,” Serena said as she took her earring off and placed it out of Jaden’s way. The little boy seemed to pout and Serena kissed his chubby cheek. “Do you think they’re going to be able to save some of these stalled condo projects in Uptown?”
    Jade shrugged her shoulders as she began to rinse the broccoli. “I hope so, because I am really tired of looking at these cranes. But James said he doesn’t want to get involved in providing housing for people who can afford it. He thinks he and Maurice should do something to give back to the people who are suffering.”
    “But this is business, not charity.”
    Jade cut the stalks of the broccoli. “That’s what they’ve been arguing about all day,” she said as she shook her head. “James wants to do more mixed-income housing and Maurice wants to keep things upscale and expensive.”
    “I’m with Maurice on this one,” Serena said as she bounced Jaden on her knee.
    “Umm, I wouldn’t do that,” Jade said.
    “What? Agree with … Ugh!” she exclaimed as her godson vomited on her blouse.
    “Sorry. He just ate,” Jade said as she handed her friend a paper towel.
    Jaden looked up at his godmother and offered her a smile that made her forget she was going to have to make another trip to the cleaners.
    She tweaked his nose. “Little man, you’d better make a lot of money when you grow up because I’m charging you for all my dry cleaning,” she said then kissed his cheek.
    The little boy laughed and Jade shook her head. “For someone who doesn’t want kids, you’re really good with him,” she told Serena.
    “That’s because I know I can hand him right back to you.”
    “I’ll get you a dry shirt,” Jade said as she took Jaden from her arms. “And little guy, let’s get you cleaned up.” To Serena she said, “You might want to put some water in that pot on the stove so we can steam the broccoli.”
    “That’s all right, I can wait,” Serena said as she unbuttoned her blouse and took it off. She grabbed one of the empty grocery bags and stuffed her shirt inside. When she heard the front door open, she wished she could disappear.
    “Look, man,” she heard Maurice say. “We’re trying to make money and I want to give back to people as much as you do, but—”
    “Nah, Mo, you don’t want to give back. If youdid, you’d get what I’m trying to do,” James replied.
    “I’m tired of arguing about this,” Maurice said as they walked into the kitchen.
    Serena grabbed a dish towel and attempted to cover her chest.
    “Jade’s cook … Serena, why are you topless?”
    James looked at her and furrowed his eyebrows. “Serena? What’s going on?”
    Jade and Jaden returned to the kitchen and when she saw her husband and her brother-in-law standing there, she burst out laughing, then quickly tossed Serena a white tank top.
    “How about you two turn around,” Jade said through her laughter. James and Maurice did as they were told.
    “What are you two getting into?” James asked as he kissed Jade and took his son from her arms.
    “And I know y’ all aren’t cooking for real,” Maurice said.
    “Shut up, Mo,” Jade said as Serena signaled that she was decent. “We are cooking and it is for real.”
    “What time are we eating, then?” Maurice asked.
    “This meal isn’t for you guys,” Serena said as she walked back to the bar stool. “I’m having dinner with a friend tonight.”
    James shook his head. “I didn’t know you women still did this.”
    “Did what?” Jade asked.
    “Tricking a man into thinking you could cook,” Maurice chimed in.
    Serena crossed her legs. “Trust me, I don’t have to trick him. It’s not my cooking that he’s after.”
    “Wow,” James said. “It’s like listening to a female version of Maurice after the draft.”
    “I think I’m offended by that,” Maurice said. “I never tricked those girls with food.”
    “And I’m not tricking Antonio,” Serena