The Bet

Chapter 8

The Bet

Clarke got up and excused herself to the restroom. Gil and Janet watched as she walked away. Gil shook his head.

"Damn Dunk she is hella is sexy. How old is she anyway? She looks so young."

Janet's eyes focused on her fingers. "She's 31." She finally replied and glanced at Gil.

"Look at you trying to get mixed up with a young buck. Do you think her voice is any good?" He asked seriously.

"Why does that matter?" Janet knew exactly where he was going with that statement.

"Because girl, Bekah is sick. We have to find someone to replace her anyway. What if she's good?"

"Then I would be mixing business with pleasure. Besides how do you think people will react once they find out I may or may not have a "thing" with a woman. Especially with everything going on with Wissam." Janet got quiet and sat back in her seat. "Gil what the fuck am I doing? I can't bring her into my chaos. That wouldn't be fair to her."

Gil grabbed Janet's hand. "Babe, the only thing that wouldn't be fair is if you deprive yourself of some of that good hunk of woman honey. Stop thinking so much into it. You just met the girl. Enjoy getting to know her. And call me with the details in the morning." He looked down at his phone and smiled.

As Clarke headed back to the table, Gil stood up and grabbed his wallet. "It's on me tonight." He laid his money on the table and grabbed his jacket.

"Leaving so soon?" Clarke asked and frowned.

"Yeah, and where are you going?" Janet added.

Gil smiled and looked over at the waiter. "Girl, a bitch got himself a hot date with some waiter trade." He looked over at Clarke and smiled. She held out her hand and was once again pulled into an embrace. "I hope we'll get to chill again soon. Take care of my boo thang please."

Janet smiled. She stood and kissed him twice on the cheek. He whispered in her ear, "She may be really good girl. Find out asap and call me in the morning." He said then hurried towards the door and was gone.

Janet looked over at Clarke and smiled. "Well what do we do now?"

"Anything you want." Clarke answered as they stood up and headed for the door. Janet's driver was already waiting out front. As they got into the car Clarke looked over at her still waiting for an answer.

"We could always just go back to your place. Unless of course it's too late and you're tired." Janet suggested. Clarke didn't answer right away. She looked out the window towards the cloudy sky. Sparks of lightening traveled through the clouds sending enough light into the car for Janet to see the concern in Clarke eyes. "I'm sorry. That was a stupid idea. Um we can just take you home if your ready."

Clarke thought about Emory. What if she was still there? Waiting for her to return. She didn't want to put Janet in that position. She didn't know if she wanted to risk it. She finally spoke.

"I'm sorry, I just got in my head for a second there. Of course we can go back and chill at my place. I would love to have you. I have to warn you though. Its nothing fancy and super small, but I love it." Janet smiled brightly.

"I don't care about that. I want to see where you spend your private time. I want to know more about you." She said and hung her head. "I feel like I've done nothing but talk about myself today."

"In all fairness I have been a sea of questions all day. I just... I'm so intrigued by you. I'm so sorry if I have sounded like a fan today. I know that must get annoying." Clarke laughed.

"I love my fans, and trust me that is not how I have seen you at all today all. There is just something about you Clarke."

"And what do you think that is?" Clarke asked. Janet shook her and gazed seriously at her.

"I don't know, but I want to find out."

They'd talked the entire ride back to Clarke's place. Clarke laughed nervously as she fumbled with her key. Her heart was pounding with anticipation but once the door opened she realized that they were alone. No Emory. Clarke hit the lights. Janet smiled and looked around. "Wow."