Heart of Stone Emery and Jackson - Chiquita Dennie (summer reading list txt) 📗

tossed it back into my purse and stepped out of my car.

“Well look what the cat dragged in. Emery Stone. I guess you win the bet Jordan. She showed up tonight.” Angela threw her head back in laughter.

Flashing my middle finger at her, I bypassed them both to enter Sybil’s, a southern cuisine restaurant.

“Boo, you know she didn’t mean it. Tell her you’re sorry Angela,” Jordan demanded.

“She knows I’m just joking and besides a little fun will help distract from you know who.”

Jordan and I avoided eye contact, and I walked forward to the hostess booth.

“How many in your party?”

“Three please and can we have a booth in the corner?”

The hostess nodded and gestured with a wave of her hand for us to follow her to our seats. Walking through the restaurant, I felt someone staring at me and, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a tall African American man with deep dark chocolate skin, full lips and what looked like ripped muscles in his tailored suit.

As you’ve heard, I just recently broke up with my cheating ex-boyfriend Anthony Davis, who happens to be the big brother of my best friend Jordan Davis. Looking down at my outfit, I notice the cut of the skirt hugging my wide hips and my thick thighs poking out. My large DD breasts are still sitting up nicely, even though sometimes, I complain about getting a reduction.

“Ouch!”

Angela and Jordan ran into the back of me.

“Damn, Emery, pay attention. What has you frozen in your tracks?”

“Nothing, nothing, let’s go eat.”

“I think it has something to do with that fine black man over at that table.”

Pulling Angela and Jordan toward our booth, I scrambled to sit down out of sight as my heart nearly stopped, and my body ached with need. The panties I’m wearing are ruined from my arousal from the guy that just stole my breath away.

“Your waiter will be right with you.”

“Thanks. Emery are you okay? You look a little flushed,” Jordan asked.

“Yes, I just need some water.”

“Ohh look, Brent’s here eating with that guy you were staring at Emery.”

“I wasn’t staring at anyone, Jordan,” I told her.

Turning my head, I noticed the gentleman pointing at our table and Brent looking over at us and smiling. He stands up and walks over to our table with mystery man behind him.

“Damnit,” I muttered out.

“Someone’s nervous,” Angela whispered, delighted.

Throwing my napkin at her playfulness, I flipped her the middle finger and fixed myself up before Brent approached with his guest. Why I was doing all that I couldn’t say. I was still heartbroken over Anthony’s lying and cheating.

“Well if it isn’t my best Account Executive, Emery Stone, out to dinner with her two best friends, Jordan Davis, and Angela Jones.”

“Hi, Brent.”

“Don’t get shy now. What’s up Big Head, and who’s your friend?” Angela asked.

Angela had me in disbelief with my mouth agape at her words. Watching her snicker with Jordan and Brent, the mystery guy continued to stare at me.

“Ignore her, Brent. Hi, I’m Jordan Davis, and this is Angela Jones and from the heat radiating off you two, this is Emery Stone,” Jordan shakes mystery guy’s hand.

“This is Jackson Pierce, an old friend. Jackson’s my boy from back home. We grew up together and eventually, we went to separate schools and met back up a few years ago after his divorce.”

Hearing Brent say Jackson is divorced gave me butterflies in my stomach.

“Pleased to meet you, Emery Stone.” Jackson extends his hand out for me to grab.

Something inside me hesitates for a second.

“Ni...Nice to meet you as well, Jackson,” I stuttered out.

He smiled at my misstep and continued holding my hand and rubbing his fingers against my knuckles. I arched my brow and caught the entire table watching us.

“Are you going to let my hand go?” I asked.

Jackson bit down on his lower lip and raised my hand to lips; placing a soft kiss on the back. I raised up fast out of the booth. The throbbing between my thighs rose, and I felt the sexual heat between us. Thinking clearly and remembering we’re in front of other people I tried to focus on something else before ending up on my back with my legs wrapped around his thick, strong thighs. God wouldn’t be that cruel and let this gorgeous guy walk around with a little dick.

“I wasn’t planning on it, Sweetness.”

“Oh, I like you, Jackson. Do you have a brother or an uncle by chance?” Angela blurts out.

Brent narrows his eyes at Angela, and she shrugs her shoulder in exasperation. I wonder what’s going on between those two.

“Angela don’t get your feelings hurt. I suggest you keep your eyes on that menu before you get in trouble.”

Jordan and I pause at Brent chastising Angela in public. They’ve always had a fiery friendship, and with me working for him and her as my best friend, I often find her coming to my job to hang out. I can’t have a screaming match.  

“Brent, you’re not my daddy, boyfriend, husband or boss. Your suggestions are not needed this way. Now, Jackson, as I was saying,” Angela stated.

Jackson pats Brent on the back and calms him down as he inches closer to Angela.

“How about we just order dinner. Brent, would you like to join us?” Jordan suggests.

“Actually, we’re meeting some guests tonight. Thanks anyway Jordan. I’ll see you tomorrow, Emery.”

“Bye, Brent,” Jordan and I replied.

He walked away, ignoring Angela. She sat with her arms crossed and lips turned up in a pout.

“Is there something I should know about, Angela Jones?”

“No.”

“Please tell me you’re not sleeping with Brent.”

“No. I’m not.”

Sitting back down in my seat, I leaned back and relaxed from the built -up tension in the room.

“I mean if you don’t count last Christmas, Super Bowl Weekend, and Jordan’s baby shower.”

“Bitch, you slept with him at my baby shower! Are you crazy?” Jordan screamed.

“What, don’t act like you tramps don’t have an itch that needs scratching every blue moon.”

“Angela, there’s a difference between an itch and a fuck buddy,” Jordan said.

“Are you and Brent in a relationship?”

“Hell, no. We mutually decided to keep what we have just between us. So, don’t you go running your mouth, Emery Stone. Brent and I are friends, and occasionally we sleep together.”

“So, he sleeps with other women, and you’re okay with that?” Jordan asked.

“Yep, just like I sleep with other men,” Angela replied.

“Well, he may be getting lucky tonight. The women are throwing themselves at him right now. He’s pulling his phone out. Bet he comes in late tomorrow, Emery,” Jordan answered.

Angela stood up out of her seat, knocking her water over the table. She shrieked as it splashed onto her dress.

“That bastard,” Angela groaned.

“I thought you weren’t in a relationship, Angela?”

“We aren’t, he can get any slut’s phone number he wants. I mean if he wants to catch a disease then, by all means, get her number. She looks like a man anyway,” Angela said

We all burst into laughter and asked the waiter to bring another glass of water and some wine to our table.

“So, Emery, how is Granny doing?” Jordan asked.

I pick around the olives in the arugula salad. Food has always been a weakness. Lately, I’ve started this new vegan lifestyle change. Not sure it’ll last long because I love cheese too much.

“I just left her with my mom earlier. Her blood pressure and cholesterol are up. You know Granny Lynn don’t stay on top of her health. She loves three things in this world besides her family. Soul food, cigarettes, and rum and Coke.”

“That’s true, I remember at the last family dinner. She made this mac and cheese that stuck with me for days after,” Angela responded.

“For what it’s worth, she still looks good for a woman in her seventies, I must say. Her shape is bananas, probably why Jackson Pierce hasn’t taken his eyes off you, Emery, since we’ve sat down,” Jordan told her.

“If you don’t want him, Emery, I’ll take him off your hands. Add to my roster of fun,” Angela smirked, jokingly.

Turning around slowly trying to play off Angela’s comment, I caught Jackson staring right at me. I smiled back and turned around with Angela and Jordan peering deviously.

“What?”

We all cracked up laughing, and Jordan picked up her fork and continued eating her pasta salad.

“How’s little man doing, Jordan?”

“Good, my baby is growing so fast. I still can’t believe it’s been over two years since I lost Devin. Every day is a struggle with raising him as a single mother. Without my parents and Anthony, I wouldn’t know where I’d end up.”

“We all miss him. Devin couldn’t wait to be a father, and you’re an amazing mother.”

“Do you think it’s time to get back in the dating world?” Angela asked.

Wiping the tears from her eyes with a napkin, Jordan shakes off Angela’s statement.

“I’m not ready and besides DJ takes up all my time along with work as a teacher.”

Grabbing and squeezing her hand to comfort her, all three of us start wiping our eyes before tears fall.

“Jordan you got me out here being soft and shit. I need a drink,” Angela replied.

“Angela you drink no matter if you’re happy, sad, horny or stuck in a winter thunderstorm. Don’t blame me for you being an alcoholic,” Jordan grumbled as she drank from her water glass.

Listening to them bicker reminded me about Teresa and my relationship before the cheating. We stayed in each other’s business and supported one another no matter what. Knowing that she’s been shady and going behind my back with Anthony all this time has me wondering if he ever tried anything with Angela.

“Emery, Emery!” Jordan snapped loudly.

“Huh?”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, why do you ask?”

“You just zoned out on us again. Is something wrong?”

“No, I’m fine. Just thinking about my grandmother and—”

“Please don’t bring up Anthony’s sorry, lying cheating ass.”

“Well damn tell me how you really feel about my brother.”

“I just did,” Angela shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

Clapping my hands to gain both of their attention, a figure walked up near our table before I could speak.

“Excuse me, ladies. Do you mind if I steal Miss Stone away for a second?” Jackson asked.

He wraps his hand around my elbow and smoothly pulls me out of my seat.

“Well damn, excuse us, Mr. Pierce. She’s all yours for the night. Just have her back by tomorrow for work,” Angela mocked, jokingly.

Jackson led me away from the table, and I grabbed my purse before it was left behind. Walking outside, I noticed we were headed to his car.

“Ummm, I’m not leaving with you.”

“Emery, you and I both know that before the end of the night, I’m going to have you tied and twisted with