Jamal smiled at us as he walked to our car. We had just pulled into the parking lot and parked the car when he came out to greet us. Clearly, he knew something we didn't and even though he wore a smile, there was something underneath that scared me. I hesitated before getting out the car, John saw this and turned around in his seat. Barba was already walking towards Jamal, hands ready to greet him like they had been friends for years.

"Are you okay?" John asked me in almost a whisper, despite no one being in the car but us.

I nodded my head. "Yeah, I am." I looked back over to Jamal and Barba, they were engaging in a friendly conversation. "There is something off about him."

"We are investigating the rape and murder of his girlfriend, there may be a reason why he seems off."

"No, I mean…" I trailed off. John looked at me quizzically. "I dunno, maybe you're right." I smiled a little, this seemed to make him even more concerned. He reached out to touch my hand, but I supposed he remembered I was going to pull away because he stopped midway. He, instead, gave me a small smile filled with concern and worry, before turning around and getting out the car.

I followed suit, not wanting to be left behind in a place I didn't know. It wasn't like we were in the best area. This was the more… minority-centered part of Harlem; where gangs still ran, and people were murdered for saying "hi." I grew up in a place like this, though, I would say the people from the gangs in Baltimore are rougher than those in New York.

"Hey, Tiara," Jamal greeted me, sticking his hand out. I paused before biting my lip and taking his hand. His hand was warm and soft, like hadn't done a day of hard physical work in his life. He must have seen my discomfort with the contact because he pulled away and placed his hand in his pocket quickly. Jamal looked at Barba and John as if they were my chaperons. "The boys loved you guys."

"The Boys?" Barba inquired.

"Yeah," Jamal's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Alton, Dre, and Clue—the boys. They are the real bosses of this place, they just let me play." He then continued. "They want you to come by tonight, at around eight."

"Why?"

"Because they want you to experience all we have here to offer," Jamal seemed highly proud of himself. "Bring a date."

"Bring a date?" I asked. "To a strip club?"
"This is only a strip club on Friday nights. It's Wednesday." Jamal looked over at John and smiled. "Bring your wife or your girlfriend."

"Oh, I'm not married."

"I can tell," Jamal looked at me. "If you must know before judging me and the people I work with and work for me, we have a lovely music scene at night. Most evenings here spend with lovely couples listening to soulful music while dining. We want you to bring some people and we can discuss payment and contracts and all that good stuff."

"Sounds like fun." I deadpanned.

"But wait, there's more!" I eyed Barba who rolled his eyes at the enthusiasm Jamal showed. "Bring that lady, your original manager. I have a thing for pretty females."

"Dude, she's like twenty years older than you!" I laughed.

"And looking at your boyfriend, I can say the same thing." I went silent and my cheeks felt hot. My eyes darted to my shoes and I sighed a little. I forgot Barba was supposed to be my boyfriend and also I forgot he was almost twenty years older than me. Jamal clapped his hands together, "So, what do you say? Free food, nice music, nice looking people…"

Barba and I looked at John. He eyeballed us both before nodding his head. "We'll be here by seven-thirty."

"Great. Can't wait." Jamal smiled.

We watched as he turned and disappeared into the building. I looked at John, a little annoyed. I had to explain to him that I didn't have any good clothes to wear. That I was poor and the best thing I had in my closet was my uniform for work.

"Don't worry, Tomi," Barba came around. "Liv will go out shopping and pick something nice for you. Just drop her your size."

I looked at him then at John. "Whatever," I huffed before walking away.