Sitting inside the restuarant as I waited for Duke to arrive, I used this time to read over one of my clients new entries that I needed to help revise and edit. Taking a sip of the lemonde I ordered for myself, I adjusted my glasses and found myself getting lost in the words that my client had written.

This was probably one of my favorite things that came with my job, it always amazed me how many talented people there are out there. Some of my clients work has brought me to tears from how heart-felt and realistic their work is.

Looking up in when I heard the chair across from me move, I smiled when I saw Duke adjusting himself as he smiled back. "Sorry for running late, got caught up on a zoom call for an event I have coming up." He apologized as he grabbed his menu.

"How are you doing though?" He asked.

Closing my laptop, I shrugged. "I can't complain, things are going well so far with work. Just signed a new client to our company and I'm already falling in love with her and her work. She submitted three books for us to review and when I say this girl is so talented, it's crazy and she's only sixteen." I boosted proudly.

Smiling, Duke sat back in his seat as he stared at me listening to me rave about this girl. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away. I'm just always amazed when I come across such good talent at such a young age already." I apologized.

Waving me off, he laughed. "I'm not complaining, I understand. It's actually refreshing to see how passionate you truly are when it comes to writing. That's why I feel you would do great with helping me write out my life."

Listening to what he said, I nodded. "I appreciate that and I have been doing some thinking about this and I have decided to accept. You do have such an amazing story, as far as your upbringing and your journey to success. So, I am honored that you feel that I would do good bringing your story to life for others to read." I expressed causing a big smile to spread across his face.

"I'm really happy to hear you accepted, but I must admit I want this to be raw and uncut. It's a lot I want to bring light to for myself in order to get over things that have happened in my past. This will probably be the most honest I've ever been in my life when telling my story and you seem like a very trustworthy person, so I know I won't have to worry about any of this coming out before the release." He went onto explain and I nodded completely understanding what he meant.

"Oh trust me, before we even get started you and I both will sign a NDA and a LOA contract." I replied.

"Oh great, that sounds good! So what's next?" He asked excitedly.

"Well, depending on how soon you want this out to the public, we will need to set up some times to really discuss and map out how you want this book to go. I know you're a pretty busy man, but in order to really capture your life in the best way I'm going to need full details on certain aspects in your life that you want me to add." I continued, watching as he looked me directly in my eyes listening to my every word.

"Okay, I know you're a pretty busy woman as well and I don't want to take up too much of your time, so I will work around your schedule. I'll stop by the office tomorrow to go over the contract and we can discuss meeting times then as well, how does that sound?" Duke asked me in which I agreed.

"That works for me." I smiled.

"Great, I'm really looking forward to working with you Ms. Baldwin." Smiling at each other, I eventually looked away just as the waiter finally made his way over to take our order.

"So sorry for that wait guys, did you two want to start off with one of our appetizers? Our fried green tomatoes are really good, they're one of our house favorites." The waiter by the name of Dylan explained.

Looking over at Duke, he simply shrugged. "Sure, I haven't had some fried green tomatoes in a while. Did you see anything else you might have wanted to try Alex?"

Glancing down at the menu, I scanned my eyes over the appetizer side not wanting to seem greedy but literally everything sounded good. "I wish we could literally get one of everything, it all looks and sounds good! What else do you recommend?"

Bending down, Dyland pointed on the menu for both of us to see. "The cathead biscuits are pretty good too, I eat those all the time." He suggested.

"I guess I'll go with those." I replied smiling.

"Alright, so an order of the fried green tomatoes and cathead biscuits and what can I start you guys off with to drink?" He asked as he wrote our order down.

"I'll take a lemonade, if you have it." I answered before looking over at Duke who was getting ready to answer.

"Alright and for you Mr. Livingston?" He asked.

"Just a sweet tea with lemon, please."

"You bet, alright I'll get those appetizers in real quick and I'll be back with your drinks to give you more time to decide on what you want for your entreé." He stated politely before walking off.

Looking back at Duke, he had his eyes glued to the menu. "Do you see anything you might order? I've never been here before, but their chicken and waffles do sound good to have right now." I asked, hoping he had any suggestions.

I've always been one a little skeptical to try new things, but so far everything on this menu seemed to be good. Hell these thick thighs and belly didn't come from me looking at food, I loved food especially good southern soul food.

Laughing to himself, Duke closed his menu. "Now what do you know about chicken and waffles?"

"Don't even try to me play me like that." I laughed. "I know more than you know, I was born in the city but my grandparents raised me as a country girl sweetie."

"Oh is that right?" He smirked as he sat back looking at me.

I couldn't deny and say Duke wasn't an attractive man, but one thing I needed for him to stop doing was looking at me with those captivating eyes of his. I'm trying to make my way into heaven one day and right now I did not need the devil trying to tempt me.

"Yessir." I smiled back.

"Well you're looking at full bred country boy here, I'm talking back roads and corn field country. During the summer my mom used to send us down to my grandparents down in East Texas and my grandfather would have us help run his farm." He went onto explain which sort of shocked since I would have never thought any of that, by looking at him now.

"I believe we're going to get along just fine Mr. Livingston." I responded as we locked eyes.

"I believe so too Ms. Baldwin."

The rest of the meeting was spent with us getting to know one another a little more, the conversation was cool. Duke was a lot funnier than I imagined him to be and the more we talked the more excited I became with starting this journey with him.

It was clear it was alot to be revealed about him and I was honestly a little anxious to see who the man behind all the fame and glory truly was.

-

          Back in my office, I used the rest of my time to create this contract for Duke and Sarah to review tomorrow. Since I've been back I managed to finish editing a few chapters for clients, completed a novel I've been helping revise and even started on a new book I received a couple of weeks ago.

After that lunch meeting with Duke, I was feeling so inspired and I was anxious to start on his memoir. I thought it was so crazy how at first I had so much doubt within' myself, but now that it was finally happening so many ideas were coming to mind that I was ready to share.

Hearing a soft knock at my door, I looked up to see my boss Sarah in the doorway with a big smile on her face. "Hey hey, I just received a call from Duke that you decided to accept doing his memoir. When were you going to tell me?" She asked jokingly as she took a seat in one of my chairs.

"I wanted to surprise you." I shrugged.

"Well I am indeed surprised, but I am confident that you're going to kill this. I wouldn't have suggested you if I didn't believe in you." Sarah complimented causing me to smile at her words.

That was one of the many things I loved about Sarah, she always made sure to compliment us and give us our props and I feel that's why this company flourishes with success.

We're like a family at the end of the day and it's very clear whenever Sarah tells either of us that she believes in us, you know she means it.

"I really appreciate you for pushing me at times." I told her causing her to laugh.

Simply shrugging, she grabbed a snicker from my candy bowl. "Sometimes we all just need a little push to get us started on that path we're destined to follow." Standing up from the chair, she walked over to my trash can to toss her snicker wrapper.

"I push you because you often limit your talents, you love playing it safe. Which is cool at times, but you don't want to find yourself stuck in that place though. So, what I want you to do is solely focus on Duke's memoir. All of your pending projects will be dispersed throughout the company to be worked on." She went onto explain, shocking me.

"Wait, what? Why?" I asked confused as to why she was doing this, we've never done this with anybody else before.

"Depsite Duke being a good friend of mine, this is a big client we have on our hands. This one book can really put us on the map far as publishing companies. So, I need all your attention focused on this." She explained in which I understood.

She was absolutely right, Duke was a big client of ours and I knew I needed to take this very serious. A lot was riding on me with this and for how much Sarah has done for me, I didn't want to let her down.

"I understand, well we're meeting here tomorrow to discuss contracts and build a good foundation before we start. Did you want to sit in on this meeting?" I asked her.

Shaking her no, she smiled as she started walking towards my door. "Just send me the copies of the contracts, I am leaving this all in your hands. This is your project that you earned, just take your time, relax and show me the Alex I know you can be with this."

When she stepped out of my office, I sat in silence for a moment before I looked around trying to process everything that was happening. I knew I needed to kill this meeting tomorrow and with Sarah shortening my work load I had all night to focus on my presentation.

-

          Finally making it home, I slowly dragged my feet to my apartment mentally exhausted. Sarah and I stayed almost four hours after closing going over everything I was going to present Duke tomorrow.

Using my key to unlock my door, I stepped inside to see Danielle stretched out on my couch watching tv and eating a bag of popcorn. "Hey sis, how was work?" She called out as I passed her going straight to my room.

I wasn't in the mood to talk, I wasn't upset or anything. I was just simply too tired to sit and have a conversation at the moment. All I wanted to do now was just jump in my bed and go to sleep.

Kicking off my heels, I took a seat at the edge of my bed and began rubbing my feet from how bad they were hurting. "Pretty hurts." I mumbled to myself before tossing the heel somewhere across the room.

Eventually, Danielle made her way inside and pouted when she saw me. "Long day huh?" She asked as she took a seat next to me laying her head on my shoulder.

"Very, but it was all worth it. I just basically got a book deal of a lifetime and I'm presenting him with my ideas and plans tomorrow morning." I explained as I began stripping down.

Now laid out on my bed, Danielle nodded listening. "What type of book deal is it? It must be pretty big if you're this tired." She pointed out.

Walking into my closet, I stripped down to my bra and panties before grabbing my pink silk robe that hung from my closet door. "Two words. Duke Livingston." I told her as I came walking back out smiling.

Looking at Danielle, her mouth was wide open in shock." Shut up, are you serious!? Duke Livingston as in my future baby daddy Duke Livingston!?

Laughing, I nodded. "Yes girl."

"That's amazing bitch, what does he went you to do for him? You gotta let me meet him, I have been in love with him for the longest. That man is fine for no reason and chocolate just how I like em." She whined.

Shaking my head at her dramatics, I slipped on my house shoes and walked out of my room to my kitchen to fix me a glass of wine with Danielle following behind me. "You are so crazy, but he wants me to write his memoir, but I can't disclose any information so please do not ask."

"I know how it all works, but damn girl that's big! I'm happy for you forreal, at least one of us is living out our dreams." Danielle complimented. "I remember we used to sit up and talk about this exact shit happening and now look it's happening."

Taking a sip of my wine, I smiled. "I know right, it's crazy how life works at times. But enough about me, how was your day?" I asked in hopes of hearing some good news, such as her and Justin deciding to work things out.

"My day was good, went apartment searching earlier, even did a little job searching. Managed to snag three interviews for this week, but I might end up cancelling them." She told me, which left me kind of confused.

"Why would you cancel them? You're going to need a job in order to manage the bills at your new place. " I replied.

Avoiding eye contact, she walked away going back into the living room in which I followed needing answers. "Don't get quiet now, tell me why you would cancel those interviews? I love you, but you can't crash on my couch forever D."

Sighing, she rolled her eyes. "I know that and I don't want to impose on you any longer than I already have. So, we've been thinking about getting a place together instead rather than me getting a new one and he told me I don't have to work."

Frowning, I folded my arms across my chest. "Wait, what do you mean we? You're already thinking about about moving in with this guy? You just ended things with Justin, that's way too soon." I expressed becoming pissed off towards Danielle.

"This is why I didn't want to tell you. I know you may not respect this relationship I have with this guy, but we're in love and I'm really happy with him. I don't expect you to understand, but can you at least just support me on this?" She asked me and I couldn't do anything else besides shake my head in disbelief.

All Danielle was doing was confirming that things between her and this guy started way before she finally confessed to it. Which means she's been cheating on Justin, so if she thinks I'm going to support this she's wrong.

I'm all for her moving on and finding herself and falling in love, but not like this.

"I honestly can't support this at least not right now. You know how I am when it comes to cheating and you did just that and you're just moving on with your life as if you didn't just break someone's heart." I expressed. "I'm happy that you're happy, but come on D. Look at how you're doing this, moving in with this man is way too soon and the last thing I want is for you to regret anything."

Nodding her head, Danielle eventually stood up from the couch and began grabbing her things. "I appreciate your honesty and I don't expect you to understand this situation. But at the end of the day this is my life Lex, and despite how you may feel I'm going to do what makes me happy and that's him. I know it's fucked up, but I can't change what has already happened."

Without saying another word she walked up to me and gave me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek before leaving out of my apartment.

Rolling my eyes, I locked the door behind her and went back into my kitchen where my glass of wine sat on the counter.

Grabbing it I took a sip, then headed out onto my balcony to unwind my mind before I took my shower. Sitting down in my chair, I closed my eyes just when my neighbor began playing his saxophone causing a smile to creep on my face.

Although, I didn't agree with Danielle's choices one thing she said that I did agree with was that this was her life and I needed to just focus on mine. I have so nany things on my mind that need my full attention, so I couldn't be caught up in Danielle's drama in anymore.

Whatever she decides to do is on her, I'm wiping my hands clean from it all and putting my full focus on what matters the most and that's me and my success.

-

Thanks for the love & support
- Denise🤎