Rendezvous at Silver Lining

Robin's POV: I second that

After Kris and I were able to comfort Vinnie, we got into the nitty-gritty of her date with Damien. I was shocked when I heard that uninvited guests showed up beating their chest and s**t, but quickly quieted down when Vin stood on business. But, what really takes the cake, was the hot n heavy session they had after their dinner. Kris and I were hying her little ass up tryna be grown and s**t. Seriously though, it takes a lot for her to do or try anything with any man, so that must mean that she's super comfortable with him. I low-key feel like with everything that happened that week, and then the step she took with Damien, that might have accumulated and pushed her over the top, causing the nightmare. We ended up discussing her plans to start her own business. We began doing some research and compiling buildings for office space and potential clients. It was damn near 10 am when we all finally passed out. Kris and I were worried about Vinnie, so we decided to chill with her for the rest of the weekend. Going into the new week, everything was basically normal. I was back in the office and moving about like always. I sat in my office and saw James go by my window. Something seemed off with him. I got up and did a quick jog to my door before he got too far.

“Hey James! Come here right quick.”

He stopped and turned back and walked into my office. I leaned against my desk and folded my arms. He seemed really, really off.

“Hey. Are you ok? You seem upset today. What's going on?”

I tilted my head to the side, trying to get a reading on him. He gave me a soft smile.

“Yeah I'm good. It's just been a little hectic lately.”

I frowned. Our usual banter wasn't happening, and his bright demeanor is a little dim. I walked up to him.

“Well, I know there's more that you’re not telling me, and that's ok. But I don't like this gloomy gust. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. I don't know if it's work related, but I'm pretty sure it's not. So, if it's a personal matter, don't let it win.”

I patted his shoulder and turned to walk away when he grabbed my hand and pulled me back. I looked up into his eyes and said nothing. He gazed back down at me, and it was intense.

“Are you ok? What's wrong? Did I overstep?”

I thought maybe me bringing up his life outside of work was pushing it. He shook his head and smiled at me.

“No, you're fine. Thank you for checking up on me.”

“Yeah, of course! You know I got you. You're my guy.”

I smiled and squeezed his hand.

“Look, just let me know if you wanna talk. It doesn't have to be here, and it doesn't have to be all serious. You know, just something to get your mind off things. Ok?”

He shook his head and let my hand go. I headed back to my desk, and he still stood in my office.

“I'm assuming you know all about Divinity and her beating down Sarah.”

He raised his brow at me and smirked. I narrowed my eyes and sat back in my chair.

“Don't even talk to me about that damn ass whooping. I'm mad as hell I wasn't here for it. Y'all gonna stop sending me out the office when all the juicy stuff happens. It's just like when Crystal had her meltdown with her boyfriend that was cheating. There I was on a business trip in cold ass Colorado, when I could've been here, and cold, but entertained.”

James laughed and shook his head at me.

“Well that is part of your job, you know.”

“Yeah, but still.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

"I was sooo happy to hear about it. She deserved that shit."

"Shouldn't you be concerned about your coworker?"

He had the biggest smile on his face, and I gave him the side eye.

"Now you know you were just as happy to see her get her ass beat too. Don't even play."

He laughed out loud and nodded his head.

" You ain't never lied. If it wasn't for the fact that I didn't want Divinity to get arrested, I would've let her beat her down more. "

It was my turn to crack up.

“So, I'm also assuming you know that Divinity plans to leave the company, right?”

“Yep! And I was one of the ones who talked her into it.”

He frowned and crossed his arms.

“Why did you do that? Did it have something to do with Rahpael?”

I rolled my eyes hard.

“For one, we've been discussing this forever, even before all this craziness with her and Raphael. Divinity is not petty like that. She just wasn't sure she should or could do something like that. Raphael being a f**k boy just helped her make the decision a little bit faster.”

I rolled my eyes and didn't hide my annoyance with him. She deserves the best and he kept tryna give her left overs. James nodded his head in understanding.

“Listen. I know Raphael can be a little… trying and difficult to understand, but do understand this. He really does have strong feelings for Divinity, he just doesn't know how to express them clearly. I'm not tryna make up excuses for his stupidity, trust me, I already came at him for it as well. Knowing him as well as I do and the life he's lived up till now, I know that he's never had to do anything to gain attention from women. He could just walk into a room and he'd be swarmed. He doesn't know how to chase nor how to be in a relationship. I'm not saying to talk Divinity into anything or for her to ignore the way he has treated her, but I am asking to extend him some grace. He is working on it.”

I didn't know what to say. James never been with the drama and never got in anyone else's business unless it was work. I knew they were close but I never realized how close they were.

“Thanks for all that, but it's Vinnie’s decision. She doesn't let any man in easily and the moment she allowed him to step a toe in, he showed she shouldn't have. If he wants her, then he needs to not only tell her but show her.”

We ended the conversation and went on with our day. I thought about everything he said and decided I'd bring it up to her. I knew how much she liked him and I know for a fact that all those feelings didn't just up and disappear.

A few weeks went by and Kris and I went with Vinnie to go see some office buildings and rentable office space that she could use. We scoured the city and even some nearby counties in search of the perfect place. We found 2 places that we thought would be perfect for her and her new business. We decided to make a day out of building hopping and we were in the second choice building which also happened to be the last building on the list. The realtor showed us around the entire floor and showed us the extra features that would come with the office space. She left us alone to go answer a phone call as we all sat in a conference room.

“Have you picked between spaces yet? Which one speaks Divinity to you?”

I smiled as Kris asked Vinnie a question real dramatically.

“No, not yet. I really like this area, and the space is great, but it's a little far, don't you think, guys?”

“Well, it's about what you want and what you're comfortable with, lovebug. Is this something you can see yourself being at or even traveling to?”

I wanted her to choose what she wanted and make a decision based on what she envisioned her dream would be.

“I don't know. Maybe we can come back to it. It's still pretty early anyway. Plus, maybe something else may pop up in another month or so, and I could want that one more.”

“Cool, boo. No rush. No pressure.”

Kris smiled and gave her a hug. We all just sat and waitied for the realtor to return.

“So, how have things with Dammy been going?”

I wiggled my brows, and she laughed.

“It's been going good. We've had a couple of lunch dates and dinner dates. We've definitely had more steamy sessions, but it hasn't gotten past his car or touching over clothes. I don't know… I really like him, though.”

She smiled, and Kris was her hype man. I was happy for her as well, but I wanted to make sure she buried whatever she had for Raphael before moving to Damien.

“Where are you with your feelings with Raphael? I mean, I know you're dating Damien, but do you truly want it to be over with Rahpael?”

She paused. Divinity stared off before speaking again.

“I don't know. Before any of this, I told Damien that my feelings ran deep and he understood. Damien hasn't pressured me or tried to force anything, and I really appreciate that. I'm constantly up under Raphael, especially with my job being his right-hand man. So, yeah. It's difficult cause I don't have time to just deal with my feelings on my own cause I'm always working. He's also been getting me to do more work that requires me to be around him longer, but I pay him no mind. I know I'm handling this a little immaturely, but I don't know how else to move, to be honest. I know I still like him, but I'm not willing to go there with him.”

I nodded my head, understanding her feelings. Kris, on the other hand, voiced our previous opinions on the matter.

“Well, I think you should date both of them. Raphael and Damien both admitted having feelings for you, and you've admitted to having feelings for both of them. What's the problem. If anything, you can sit them down and be open and honest with them and see what they say. If they don't like it, then just stay with Damien since he's already in the game. What's better than one billionaire? Two.”

Kris smiled and gave us her devious look to let us know she was serious. All honesty, I don't think it's a bad idea.

“I second it. Tell them what you're thinking and see how it goes.”

I smiled and nudged Divinity. If they can play, why can't she? After the realtor returned, she gave us more information about the property, and we were on our way. We exited the office building and headed to the garage to get Vinnie's car. While we were walking, I got this strange feeling that we were being watched and stopped. I looked around, and I noticed a guy across the street watching us intently. He noticed me staring and waved. That's when a car pulled up, and he hopped in the back.

I guess it was a taxi or something?

“Yo, Binny. You good?”

Kris yelled back at me from in front of the parking garage entrance since I stopped. I shrugged off the weird feeling and chalked it up to me being paranoid. I caught up with them, we got in, and left to go back home.