BLM. now & forever. stay safe.

Drinks and food were ordered within the group. It was a bougie brunch place that Cindy loved going to. It was a bit expensive for Jazmine's wallet and her best friend usually covered the bill for her when they came. It was the typical Sunday brunch crowd, the restaurant was busy and bustling with noise. It made it relatively easy for Jazmine to fall into the background, only really talking to Cindy. With Cindy and Riley dominating the conversation, Jazmine really only spoke unless she was spoken to.

"You sound dumb, Riley," Huey deadpanned as he stared at his brother. He couldn't even tell you what the gist of what Riley just said, just that it was another one of those nonsensical ideas of his.

Riley was as loud mouthed as ever, causing more than a few people to look at him incredulously. Riley sucked his teeth, "Nigga, it's a billion dollar idea! You can't tell me nothing, broke ass. There's always some hoes down to make some money! I'ma patent that shit."

Huey sucked his teeth and took a sip of his water, "Shut the hell up. You got all these white people staring at us. We're in a restaurant." Jazmine couldn't help but let out a laugh.

All was going well until Cindy got up and excused herself to go to the bathroom. It wasn't suspicious until Riley cleared his throat, stood up and also excused himself to go to the bathroom.

Jazmine rolled her eyes and took a sip of her mimosa as it dawned on her, "They fuck like rabbits. Goodness gracious."

"You don't have to say that again," Huey sighed as he stared at his cup of water. He had been trying to get her attention for the past fifteen minutes but she hadn't even looked in his direction once.

Now that she couldn't pay attention to her best friend or Riley, she had to look at Huey. It'd be rude to just ignore him and she was raised better than that.

One glance concluded that he was still fine as hell. Tall, lean, beautiful brown skin. He had a laid back vibe to him. A close shaven beard and mustache with a fro that was pulled back away from his face. Deep brown eyes, full lips that looked unbelievably soft. Jazmine felt her face starting to heat up before Huey started to talk again. "So… how long have you and Cindy been friends?"

"Uhh, a long time actually. Since we were nine. Inseparable ever since. Crazy, huh?" Jazmine smiled. Everytime she thought about how long she and Cindy had been friends, it always made her happy. She was lucky to have a friendship as solid as hers and Cindy's. It wasn't perfect but Jazmine wouldn't trade it for anything.

Huey nodded slowly, "That's cool. I have some friends I've known since we were kids. Hope it stays that way. One of my boys is actually planning to propose to his girl so… guess I need to prepare to be his best man, huh?"

Jazmine smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I guess you better find your plus one." The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop herself. She assumed he was single but plenty of guys in relationships came to the strip club — just look at Riley. Her face flushed and she looked down at her drink.

The oldest Freeman brother couldn't help but smirk. Was she flirting with him? He had to play things smoothly because he was 99.9% sure that Jazmine was Jade but he didn't know her like that to just say that. He cleared his throat, "You look familiar though, do you go to UMD? I might've seen you around campus before."

"I actually go to WCU, over in Woodcrest," Jazmine replied sheepishly. There was no way that he wasn't scoping her out, the gig was up. "But, I'm always out and about so you've probably seen me downtown somewhere."

"That's crazy, what year are you? What's your major?" Huey kept the conversation going but he was confused. Woodcrest University was a private school, an expensive private school. Woodcrest in general was an upper middle class area, why was she stripping?

"I'm a junior, majoring in communications with a minor in business administration. I'm hoping that I can graduate a semester early actually. Fingers crossed. Are you in school? How about you, what's your major?" Jazmine asked, all though she already knew the answer to his question. He was taking a year off.

"I'm majoring in political science but I took a break this year. Had a lot going on and I couldn't juggle school in the equation." It was a soft spot for Huey. He was upset he had to take time off of school but his grandfather was more important.

"Political science, are you gonna be a lawyer?" Jazmine could imagine how good he'd look in a suit and tie. She bit her lip and laughed to herself at the thought, "My dad's an ADA, so… I've got connections if you need it."

"That's definitely the goal, but I might go somewhere else with it. Not too much time to figure out what though, huh?" Huey was surprised at how well the conversation was flowing. It had to be somewhat of a good sign and he didn't have forever. He wanted to make a move before Cindy and his brother came back, so that she wouldn't feel pressured. "If you're gonna help me with connections, I should probably have your number, right?" He knew from the moment he saw her step out the car that he wanted to get to know her better, as Jazmine. He didn't know what it was, if it was just his dick talking or what, but he had to get to know her. All he needed was just a small opening.

"I guess that's only fair," Jazmine looked up at him, biting her bottom lip trying to hold back a smirk. He couldn't help but stare at her big green eyes. Damn, she's fine, is all he could think about. She pulled out her phone and handed it to him. "Text yourself so I know it's you."

"Yeah, yeah," he nodded, taking the phone and typing in a simple 'it's Huey Freeman, Cindy's boyfriend's brother' before handing it back to her. That was easier than he thought it was gonna be and just in time too, since Cindy was finding her way back to the table.

Jazmine was getting ready to say something when Cindy approached the table, her face flushed red, clothes out of place, and her hair tousled around. She tried to fix herself as she sat down. Jazmine sucked her teeth, "Girl, took you long enough."

Cindy made a face at her before taking a sip of her orange juice innocently. "Where did Riley go?"

Now it was Huey's turn to comment, "Speak of the devil." Riley strolled up to the table, looking out of place but not nearly as obvious as Cindy was. He had very obvious hickeys forming on his neck. Huey shook his head, "About to get us kicked out of this fine establishment."

"Nigga, shut up and go get some pussy," Riley flipped his brother off and sat down next at his seat. "The food ain't here yet? Damn! Where's the waitress at cause if she wants any kinda tip she needs to hurry it up. A nigga is hungry."

The eldest Freeman started to chastise his brother, "It's busy and she's not in the back cooking." It was just like his brother to complain about something that was completely normal at this time of day. While he was annoyed that his conversation with Jazmine had been interrupted, he could see how much more relaxed she was. He could tell the quick glances that she sent his way and knew she was feeling him.

As they sat, ate, and talked, Huey thought about how he would go about texting her. He certainly didn't need any connections right now, considering he wasn't taking any classes but she knew that. She gave him her number anyways. He wanted to make plans with her before they parted ways today, fuck all that texting plans shit. The way she looked at him with those pretty green eyes and long lashes stirred some feelings in the pit of his stomach.

Huey wasn't the only one to notice the glances Jazmine was throwing either. Cindy knew her best friend just as well as she knew herself and she knew fuck-me eyes when she saw them. She had to give her girl an opening with Huey but her oblivious ass boyfriend wouldn't give them the chance. Cindy made sure to include Huey and Jazmine in the conversation, specifically asking them questions to get them talking more. Of course, she didn't know that Jazmine had just given Huey her number, but anything helped, right? She couldn't think of much else while they were all together.

Once everyone was done eating and the food was paid for, the group of young adults started heading out. Cindy looped her arm around Riley and pulled him ahead of Jazmine and Huey, hoping that she could give them the opening they needed. Jazmine knew what her best friend was up to once Cindy winked at her.

Jazmine rolled her eyes and followed along, slightly behind Cindy and Riley. "The food was pretty good, huh? I tried something new this time but you got what I usually get."

"Yeah, it was really good. I've never been here before. Maybe we should come back another time?" Huey had to slide it in smoothly, play it casual. 'We' could mean just the two of them, or just all four of them again

"For brunch or dinner?" Jazmine laughed, thinking he was playing around despite wanting him to be serious. So badly did she want him to be serious. Her hand went up to adjust her curls, a nervous habit she's had ever since she was a kid.

"Whatever you want… let me take you out." It wasn't a question and Huey wasn't the bold type. He was always one to let things go naturally and if it didn't happen naturally then it wasn't meant for him. But he didn't want to play the get to know each other game for a few weeks before they finally decided to hang out.

Jazmine's cheeks turned a bright red, "Well if we're talking dinner then I know the perfect place. Or do you like cooking? I love cooking… maybe we can make a meal ourselves and stay in?"

It was different, the comparison between Jade and Jazmine. They were obviously the same person but Jade was domineering, sexually aggressive while Jazmine was a bit shy, somewhat reserved. He was curious as to what was the reason for her stripping? Who was a facade, Jade or Jazmine? They were standing at their cars before they knew it. Cindy and Riley were kissing goodbye.

Huey nodded, "I like that idea. I'll text you and we can set plans?"

"Yeah, sounds good," Jazmine smiled, absolutely giddy. "See you soon hopefully? It was nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too Jazmine," Huey waved and walked to his brother to shove him. "Let's go, damn."

"Nigga, stop touching me. I'm tryna love on my girl, go get you one." Riley kissed Cindy one more time before saying something to her. Huey ducked into the car and Riley said bye to Jazmine before doing the same. Moments later, the music was blasting and the Freeman brothers were off.

Cindy looked at Jazmine expectantly, "Sooooo?"

"Soooo, we're gonna make plans soon but I just wanna say, I gave him my number before you and Riley came back. Soooo, it wasn't all you. But thank you." Jazmine smiled, a bit more than just hopeful. She wasn't sure if it was because she hadn't clicked with someone so well in awhile or if she was just reading too much into how she felt last night but she was going to find out.

"Let's go so I can get my nails done girl, damn."

blah blah, boring parts of the story. more Juey next chapter. i've been working on bits and pieces of the story and i just need to connect them now.