His Jaguar Tattoo

Return of the Weasel

Today the classes couldn't hold Zuri's attention. She was normally a decent student who tried to participate in class, but she couldn't get Drew out of her mind. Her imagination conjured up scenarios of him strolling through her classroom doors or whisking her away on her walk between classes. It was silly. She felt like she had a middle school crush again.

Addison noticed her distance and teased her about it until Zuri popped like a can of croissant dough. She gushed every detail of her makeup with Drew and how well things went with her grandmother. The two girls were still giggling ecstatically when a white SUV rolled up to the sidewalk where they were chatting.

"Shut. Up." Addison's eyes bugged out of her head. "This...he is so romantic!"

"He's making up for lost time," Zuri said, laughing.

Ajax climbed out of the driver seat and approached her with a warm grin. Shrieking, Zuri swaddled him in a hug.

"It's so good to see you!" she cried.

"Who is this? How many men are at your beck and call, huh?" Addison teased.

"This is Ajax." Zuri stepped aside to let them shake hands. "Ajax, this is Addison."

"A pleasure," Ajax greeted her friend politely.

A blush sprouted across Addison's cheeks, almost indiscernible through her tan skin. Zuri smirked. She totally thought Ajax was cute. Maybe she could arrange something between them.

"So, did Drew send you?" Zuri inquired.

"Of course. He said your last class should be over by now, and that he is ready to go on the date when you are."

Her heart soared in her chest. Was this really happening? She shook her head to clear it and chuckled embarrassedly.

"Well, I have to change first," she said. "Can I meet you at my house?"

"Whatever works for you." Ajax nodded at her, smiled at the dumbfounded Addison, and then climbed back into the SUV. He zipped off just as Addison gasped.

"Where do you find these men, Zuri?" she demanded.

"I swear, they find me."

"Well, I need your hormones or something. I seem to have no bait on my hook."

Zuri laughed. "I like Ajax a lot, and I think you would too. I'll talk to him for you."

"You are the bestest friend a girl could ask for," Addison babbled as she drew her friend in for a hug. "I love you so much, Zuri. And not just because you might land me a date, but because you're so beautiful, strong, and smart—"

"Okay, okay!" She started laughing again. "No need to butter me up, Addy!"

"But it's true!"

"Well, you're sweet, but I have to go get ready for my date. I'll text you when Ajax gives me a response. Alright?"

Giddy, Addison nibbled on her bottom lip and nodded. "Alright."

"Good. I'll see you soon, Addison."

"Bye."

Zuri strutted off to her car with a grin. Tonight would fun for so many reasons.

^^^

Five minutes had passed since the hostess had seated Zuri at the empty table. She was starting to get restless. Surely, Drew hadn't already forgotten about their date. He'd been the one to book the reservation at this super expensive place. She'd never even heard of this restaurant before.

The buzz of her phone drew her attention. Zuri retrieved it from her clutch and half-smiled, half-glared at the caller I.D. Pressing the phone to her ear, she greeted the caller.

"I never knew blue could look so hot," rumbled a deep voice.

"You creep," she replied with a laugh, searching the restaurant for her stalker. "Where are you?"

"Coming. Sorry I'm late. Business ran a little...unexpected."

She released an unfeminine snort. "What's new?"

"That lip gloss you're wearing," he remarked smoothly. "When did you start wearing that color?"

"Since handsome men started asking me out."

His chuckle came from behind her as the call dropped. He squeezed her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her cheek. Zuri twisted to the side to catch a glimpse of him while he moved to sit across from her.

"How'd you see my lips from behind?" she asked, quirking a brow.

"You can say I took the long way to our table."

"Of course you did." Her hazel eyes rolled.

Clasping his hands atop the table, Drew said, "You really are beautiful, Zuri. It almost hurts to look at you."

"Oh, shut it," she warned with a smile. "Is that a suit? You really did dress up for me."

"Yes, I did. The restaurant also requires it." He gestured to the men around them, who were all wearing suits.

"Oh. Well, I'm going to pretend you just did it for me anyway."

That classic smirk split his face. "So, what do you think of this place? Pretty elegant, right?"

"Definitely. I can't believe their Caesar salad cost twenty bucks."

"You were looking at salad?" he asked, doubtful.

"Of course not." She waved her hand dismissively. "I was looking at the filet. I was just curious what the cheapest thing on the menu was."

He chortled. "I thought so."

Dinner ran smoothly. Zuri was pleased with how comfortable they were with each other. The conversation never became awkward, like it used to. They both shared mutual interest in each other the way they were meant to.

Until Drew got a call. Then everything changed very quickly.

One moment, he was excusing himself to take the call. The next, he was dropping big bills on the table and ushering Zuri outside. She was too flustered to even think about asking questions.

The SUV swung in front of the restaurant with a screech. Drew jerked the backdoor open and motioned for her to get in. Albeit clumsily, Zuri obeyed. He jumped into the front seat and began barking orders at Ajax, who sat behind the wheel.

At last, she couldn't take the mystery any longer. She leaned between the front seats and grabbed Drew's shoulder. When he turned to her, the vein in his forehead was sticking out like it was its own organ.

"What is going on?" she questioned, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Drew blew out a hiss between his teeth. "It's that weasel. He escaped my basement and is making a run for it. I knew I should've killed him."