chapter 4: Jordan

"My mother named me Jordan because she use to date him in college," I joked.
"No way, " he laughed.
"I'm joking silly," I said grabbing his muscular arm.
He laughed harder.
"You are a very clever girl Ms. Jordan Campbell," he remarked taking a gulp of his cognac.
We were finishing after dinner cocktails at Mortons. Chuck was a huge beef eater. He was 46, married with two bratty teenagers, and loaded with tons of real estate money. I entertained Chuck a few times during the month. Chuck was one of those men that you didn't want to get attached too. He was dawg plan and simple. He thought the fact that he had money entailed him to all the young ass he could get. I had meet Chuck on a flight to the NY. I was on my way to join one of my beaus in New York for a shopping and theater trip. Anyway, Chuck talked my ear off about investing and real estate. I listened and laughed at all his corny jokes. We exchanged number and he blew my cellphone up all week. I finally returned his phone call two weeks later. He was outraged by the fact that I didn't get back to him sooner.
"So what are you going to do with yourself for the rest of the week? Any out of town excursions? or business trips?" I asked enjoying my coffee.
"I would love to take you to Capetown with me next week," he grinned.
"I didn't know you were doing business in South Africa," I flirted.
"Internationally known, local respected." he laughed "Yeah I have a condo development going up down there. Have you ever been, its a beautiful country?"
"Actually, I haven't but I have heard wonderful things about the country." I lied. I always liked to make these kinda men believe everything was a new adventure. They didn't like knowing that my real father was a corporate expariate who had moved his family all over the world before he lost his big time corporate job.
"I would love for you to join me. I will be there for about two weeks." he said grabbing my hand.
I was already booked up for next week so this little trip wasn't doable at all and Chuck was full of shit. I knew that this trip wasn't going to happen and I hated setting myself up for disappointment.
"I would love to but, I have to go to California next week," I politely declined.
"California? I guess it must be important. I'll miss u. What are you doing later tonight? I have a business meeting to run to soon," he grinned looking down at his watch.
Yeah right I thought. You have to get over to another women and then you want to come over and have sex with me.
"How about you give me a call when you return from your trip? I enjoyed dinner. Thank you." I said warmly leaning over to kiss him.
"Your welcome. Enjoy another cocktail on me sweetie and I look forward to seeing you when I get back. Are you sure I can't twist your arm and presuade you into joining me, the following week?"
"I'll think about. Tell your travel agent to get in touch with me and we will see. Have a safe trip!"
With that he rose from the table and put down a knot of cash. He put on his coat, kissed me the forward head, and made his way out of the restaurant. I picked up the wad of hundred dollar bills and placed my american express on the table. Our waiter came over and took my card. I gave her a polite nod and stared off into the restaurant. I was growning tired of my lifestyle everyday. I enjoyed the jet setting and spending other people's money but I hated all the pain and disattachments. My cell phone vibrated inturupting my thoughts.
"Hello," I answered. It was a private number.
"Hey girl. What are you doing?" my cousin's voice chimed into the phone.
"Hey, Elle. I am at Morton's. Do you want to join me for a cocktail?" I asked as the waiter brought me back my card.
"Well, I was hoping you would join Jay & I at the Grape by your place," Elle laughed.
"Why not, I will be there in a few." I remarked back as I completed my signature on the receipt.

I hated parking in atlantic station. I could never find a space. Typically, I would walk over because I lived right across the street in one of the townhomes but it was chilly out and I hated walking in the cold. Elle & Jay were sitting in the window making faces at me as I walked up to the Grape a local wine bar.
"Hey girl," Jay sang wrapping his arms around me. He was wearing a pair of brown tinted Lucky jeans and a gray Ralph Lauren crewneck sweater. Jay smelled of Burberry Touch.
Elle grinned up at me and reached her arms up to embrace me. I knew her lazy ass wasn't going to get up from the table.
"What were you up to today?" Elle asked.
"Ummm... just went to dinner with Chuck," I explained. "I went shopping earlier. Cherry Bomb just got a new shipment of shoes."
"I wish I could afford to buy shoes," Elle whined. Elle was my first cousin. Her mom and my mother are sisters. We got really close when my parents got a divorce and we moved to Atlanta in high school. Elle was like a sister to me. I was a year older than Elle but because my birthday was late we were always in the same grade in school.
"You can come over tonight and pick any pair that you want," I smiled.
Elle smiled back. Her long hair was pulled up into a bun and she was wearing a long strand of pearls and a white blouse with puffy sleeves. I could tell that she had probably worked late today. I looked over to Jay who was taking another sip of wine.
"Chuck, I think that guy is creepy. I like the white dude better," Jay said putting his glass down.
I laughed. Jay was off the chain.
"So what nonsense are you two getting into tonight?" I asked picking up the menu to make a wine selection.
"I am going home and going to bed. Jay is going over to his puerto rican lover place." Elle giggled.
"Puerto Rican lover?? Que?" I teased.
Jay throw his hands up and rolled his eyes at Elle who was waiting for the signal to spill the beans on Jay's new love interest.
"Can I tell the story please?" Elle begged
"Can I tell my own story please!!!" Jay grumpled
"Will somebody please hurry up a pour the tea please," I exclaimed. Whenever we had juicy gossip we would say pour the tea.
Jay rolled his eyes and gave me a crazy look.
"Well, I meet this one at brunch last Sunday with my mom. He goes to GA. State an he is a bartender at the Ritz Carlton. Nice body, cute face and he gives one hell of a blow job." Jay explained. "Anyway, he gets off at 10 so I am going to swing through to his place for a few cocktails."
"What kind of cocktails?" Elle teased.
"Grown folks business baby," Jay said slapping my hand in a high five.
I laughed as Elle took another sip of wine.
"So whats up your love life miss thang?" I asked directing my attention to my cousin.
"Its a hot mess as usual," Elle moaned. "I am sick of men. They are all liars, cheaters and assholes."
"No just the losers you date!!!" Jay laughed. "My baby just found out that artist nigga she was kicking with is engaged."
"No!!!! Are you serious?" I exclaimed trying to be extra dramtic for Elle's sake.
"Yeah girl and he had all the nerve to say that he thought he told me that." Elle snapped. "Well I know one thing if he is getting married he has no business trying to kick it with me."
Buzz. Buzz. I could feel my cell phone vibrating in my purse. I receached in my bag to spring my cell phone. I looked down to see a text from my football star Jonathan. He must be in town. I placed my phone on the table and decided not to respond until later.
"Who was that?" Elle asked.
"Jonathan, guess he is in town this week." I responded.
"Interesting... I wish I could land some dude with ends. All I get is broke ass losers." Elle whined.
"Honey you are too picky and you don't like men to think that you need them. Its an art to doing what I do." I laughed.
"Then why dont you share your secret with your girl," Elle laughed.
"Girl, I can't reveal trade secrets. But, I do think its all about confidence and girlfriend you don't have game. You got to handle a man and you got to make him feel that he needs you. You also can't fall in love too quick and most importantly you have to date like a man!!!"
Elle sighed.
"So anyway, I am trying to convince Ms.Elle that she needs to call the fine ass white photographer," Jay interupted.
"Fine ass photographer??? You love struggling artist... dont you girl?" I laughed.
Elle smirked.
"He is Brice homeboy. The one that I told you flirted with me at his opening and then I saw him at MJQ a week ago," Elle retroted.
"Yeah I think I remember you mentioning it," I responded. My cousin was so into broke struggling dudes it was ridiculous. If he wasn't a starving artist he was a broke grad student or a do gooder vegan starting his own non-profit. I shook my head.
"Well, I am considering calling him but i promised myself I was done with dating," Elle moaned placing a slice of cheese on a cracker.
"I keep telling this heifer she needs to get some. I dont know why she doesn't just go ahead and call the white boy," Jay exclaimed. "Anyway, who has time to talk about things as depressing as Elle's love life. I am going to NY next week. Anyone want to join?"
I looked over to Elle. I knew she was dying for a trip to the NY but I wasn't trying to pay her way so I shook my head to decline.
" Yeah, I have to work I guess. Speaking of I need to go home soon and check email," Elle announced.
I smiled at her and Jay and tuned in to the chatter of my surroundings. All I coule think about was what my next move would be. I was 28 and I was getting too old for the lifestyle most people wish they lived.