I skip to the back of the cabin. The almost white, dove gray leather seats and couches paired with light birch wooden tables make Phoenix's private jet feel exceptionally airy and light. Add Jade stone Chinese character wall accents and Asian influences in the art and décor, and you've got a space that feels stylish and modern yet, serene.

"Welcome aboard, Phoenix and friends. Make yourself comfortable. Jessa will be your friendly flight attendant, today. We'll have Skye in the air shortly." The pilot announces overhead.

"Skye?" I ask.

"Oh, yes. That's the name of the jet." Jessa walks past, heading towards the rear of the cabin.

"Oh. Yeah. Right."

Leon sits closest to the cockpit. He's so quiet and stealthy, I barely notice that he's around. But he's always there, sitting in the cut, hiding in the shadows till he's needed. He pages through the latest edition of the Robb Report.

Mia and Riz sit cozy to my right, whispering sweet nothings. I approach them and they immediately stop talking and stare, as if I'm interrupting. I take that as a sign to push on. Before leaving, I mouth the words to Mia, "We can talk later."

She nods and turns back to Riz.

Penelope sits on the left with ear buds in. I stop for a moment and take the seat next to her.

"Hey, Piña, que paso?" I ask.

She pulls her earbuds out. "Nada mucho. Just listening to this book."

"Let me see that." I grab her iPhone. "What this? Like self-help?"

"Mas o menos. Something like that," she replies. "It's pretty good, actually. Beats watching ID non-stop, right!" Penelope flashes her gorgeous smile. "Girl trying to educate herself, ya know? Been on ID hard lately, I need a new source of info."

"So true!"

We both giggle at her observation.

For a moment, Penelope looks like her old, happy-go-lucky self. "There you are, my beautiful friend! Don't lose your spicy." I snap my fingers.

Penelope wags her finger at me. "Never dat!" She laughs then her smile drops. "Honestly though, chica, life is weird right now, you know?"

"I see you. What you're going through."

"Yeah, I'm like turning guys away, for the first time in like ever."

"Which I'm a little perplexed about. That's not you," I reply.

"Well, that's the thing, chica. When's the last time I spent time with myself? Like I don't even know what I like for breakfast. Basic things. You know. Am I a French toast girl? Or am I team pancakes? What if I prefer omelets? Or cereal? What about oatmeal? Do I like fruit in the morning?" Penelope looks at me with the most serious expression I've ever seen on her face.

"You're not playing, are you?" I ask.

"I basically just follow suit with whoever I'm dating. I like—what he likes." She shakes her head. "I'm done with that. I'm not just arm candy. I am a woman. A full woman. With thoughts and opinions and stuff!"

I lean back and I squint. "OK, I see you, Sis!"

Penelope smiles triumphantly.

"Enjoy the beauty of becoming!"

Penelope playfully shoos me away. "Now, go see about that boy toy of yours as I figure myself out."

"You mean, those thoughts and opinions?" I tease.

"And stuff!" She laughs, putting her earbuds back in.

I make it to the back of the jet to find JC sitting in my seat, chatting Phoenix's ear off.

"So, my next appearance is on CNN with a few other commentators. Van Jones and that former republican governor, Kasich," JC says.

"I see you out there repping. Saw you on MSN the other night." Phoenix gives him dabs. "You're the voice of the people. Doing important work, man."

"Bruh, I just can't stand by and watch brothers get slaughtered like prey. These cops are trained to be predators. They're focus is on the most extreme scenarios only. And nothing else. They don't have a turn down button. These fools always turnt up!" JC chides. "They don't train these guys to deescalate, they teach them to annihilate."

Phoenix listens intently. "Man!"

"You know the history of the police? Founded to capture runaway slaves, bruh." JC shakes his head. "It's sick, man. It's not that hard to see that if something was founded on inequality and racism and continues to perpetuate that same injustice hundreds of years later, it's got to be stripped to the bare bones and rebuilt. New values. New moral code. New training."

Phoenix agrees. "Yeah."

"We need the police, don't get me wrong. But we need them to be right. To serve the community, not kill it. And I'm doing my part to make it right."

"I hear that! Well, listen, man. You know I got you. Let me know what I can do to push that agenda along. Whatever it is and I mean whatever, I'm there. I got you."

They shake hands, but not traditionally, like two businessmen in a formal setting. Instead, they slap and lock hands and pat each other on the back.

JC looks in my direction. "Aria!"

"Hey JC!" I go in for a hug.

JC embraces me warmly. "Had to borrow your seat for sec to talk to my boy. Here you go, lovely. It's all yours."

I take my seat. "Oh, got it nice and warm for me!"

He laughs and turns to walk away.

"Before you go, JC, I just want to say."

JC stands humbly, head down listening.

"I love what you're doing. You make me so proud. You're more than a lawyer, you're a movement now. You know that, right?"

He looks up and smiles, then places his hand over his heart. "Got me right there."

Flight attendant Jessa walks down the aisle asking for last requests before takeoff.

"We'll take two hot chocolates." Phoenix tells her, then looks at me. "No milk right?"

"Oatmilk?" I ask.

"We have oatmilk," Jessa tells us.

"That'll work."

"Look at you, remembering my dietary sensitivities." I loop my arm around his.

Phoenix rubs my hand and leans over towards Jessa, "Add a shot or two of Bailey's Irish Cream to mine. Keep hers a virgin." He points to JC. "Want one?

Jessa nods. "Of course, Mr. Prescott."

"I'm good," JC replies.

"Might as well have hot chocolate while it's still cold outside. I doubt we'll want one in Hotlanta. Might not even need a coat down there."

"It'll be milder, but not that mild. Come on, now." Phoenix scolds me.

"A girl can dream," I reply sourly. "And how would I know? I've never been to Atlanta."

"The capital of black America? You've never been to Atlanta?" Phoenix looks at me as if I'm lying.

"No! I haven't!" I smirk. "What's the big deal?"

"Everything! Going there is what showed me how bad Milwaukee is lacking, as far as wealth equality and opportunity for black people and minorities alike. It's the reason I'm working so hard for Windsor Court to be a success. You've never experienced a place like Atlanta," Phoenix says.

"Aria, Atlanta is like waking up to your moms cooking breakfast on Sunday morning. It's just love for you everywhere you go. First class treatment. They treat you like you matter; not like you have to apologize for existing. Which, let's be honest, is how it is in Milwaukee," JC chimes in.

I stare back and forth between them.

"Yeah, everybody there looks out for each other in the A," Phoenix adds.

"Black people have a chance in the A."

"It's like no other city in America. And you'll only know it when you touch down. You can't really describe it. You've got to be there to really understand what we're talking about," Phoenix says.

"Buckle up, we're about to take off." The pilot announces.

Phoenix and I buckle our seatbelts. 

"You'll see, the moment you hit the tarmac. Atlanta is a whole other world." JC gestures towards Penelope. "I'm gonna go see what's going on with her. Haven't really talked since the baby shower." He walks away.

Moments later, Penelope laughs out loud.

"Hmm. Someone's feeling happy." I turn to Phoenix.

He smiles and lands a soft one on my lips. "Got the gang together. It's on!" He claps his hands and rubs them together.

I smile, caressing the back of his head as excitement for the weekend builds.

*******************************

Loves! This chapter is very appropriate for the climate we find ourselves in. Kenosha, WI which is less than an hour from Milwaukee, has just released a verdict that is devastating for civil rights and Black Lives Matter activists. Wisconsin in general and Milwaukee in particular is known for being one of the most segregated cities in America. The racism is real, as many black residents (I being a former resident) will tell you.

What are your thoughts on how my characters are navigating the pain of living in a racist society?

Please remember, tap that star, share your thoughts and share this book with your friends. It's more than about love, it's about life. More than ever we need to be there for each other, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.

Until next time!