Provocative Territory

* * *

The car had been quiet ever since Rayelle left the parking space in front of Via! some ten minutes prior. Ray eventually decided it would be up to her to get the conversation rolling.

“Was it that bad?”

Confusion pooled in Clarissa’s eyes when she looked toward Rayelle.

Ray shrugged. “Or that good...” She noted the internal debate that seemed to linger in Clarissa’s eyes and sighed. “Get off it, girl, you’re not that innocent.”

“Please, Ray, the man hates me with a passion.”

“Humph.” Ray checked her blind spot before changing lanes. “Hate is not what I saw in that man’s expression when he walked you away from the table.”

“Nah...” Clarissa raked her fingers through her short locks. “He says he wants to know if I’m like my aunt.”

“In what way?” Ray blurted as she jerked to a halt at a red light.

Clarissa maintained her silence and when Rayelle maintained hers, as well, Clarissa sighed. “In the only way it could if it involves my aunt.”

“Are you... Elias Joss and Miss Jaz?”

“No.” Clarissa slapped Ray’s arm across the gear shift. “Not him, his dad.”

“Ugggh...” Rayelle rolled her eyes. “Not another...”

“’Fraid so.”

“Did he say that?”

“He didn’t have to.”

Rayelle sighed again. “Honey, just try and remember all the good Miss Jaz has done. She hasn’t been that ‘other woman’ in a long time.”

“I know...” Clarissa rolled her head against the rest. “But as long as men like Elias Joss keep those memories alive, that woman won’t ever be a thing of the past.”

“So where’d you leave things?” Ray asked after they’d ridden in silence for a time.

“It was weird.” Clarissa shivered. “Like we were challenging each other...he is different, though. Never lets anybody onto what he’s really thinking.”

“Probably why he’s so successful.” Ray changed the radio station. “I remember Miss Jaz saying he’s quite a negotiator according to his partners.”

“All I knew about the project was the scope. Aunt Jaz didn’t share any details about her business associates.”

“Aah...” Ray waved dismissively. “No big deal. Girl, Miss Jaz was very proud of you. She was always talkin’ about you making Jazzy B’s more than a gentlemen’s club.” She took the exit for Media, PA. “Miss J always said she wanted Jazzy B’s to be the premier spot for exotic entertainment and the study of dance. She knew that’d be possible with you. You could take us there. People would respect you. You wouldn’t be coming in with a black rep following you like the rest of us.”

Clarissa rolled down the passenger window and breathed in the night air. “How long will it be up to me to be responsible for the club’s image?”