One Way or Another Read Online Free Page B

have to spend another half hour battling through traffic to get somewhere decent.”
    â€œActually, there’s a little bistro at the corner,” Jasmine said. “We could leave the cars here and just walk down to it.”
    This time Jasmine caught the look that passed between Toni and Afrika. “I know what you’re thinking, so don’t worry,” she said, . “I’ve been there before with a friend. It’s not expensive.”
    â€œOkay, fine.” Toni put her keys back in her bag. “But if I have to spend more than fifty dollars on lunch, you’re paying.”
    Afrika snorted. “Make that thirty for me. I’m self-employed and it’s hard out here for a pimp.”
    Toni side-eyed her friend. “Bet you paid more than thirty for that piece of rock hanging ’round your neck.”
    â€œHey!” Afrika grabbed her wooden beaded necklace and pendant and held it close to her chest. “You know it was my only indulgence this month. You were with me when I bought it!”
    â€œWhat’s with you today?” Jasmine glanced over at Toni as the three of them walked together. “You’re a little more acidic than usual.”
    â€œShe’s right,” Afrika agreed, still fingering her jewelery, a hurt expression on her face. “That was below the belt.”
    Toni sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s just been a really bad day, that’s all.”
    â€œWhat happened?”
    Toni frowned. “I got reassigned.”
    â€œWhat?” Jasmine asked, surprised. “When?”
    â€œThis morning.”
    Toni scowled as she remembered her boss and editor in chief Naomi’s words after she had left the meeting with Gordon, the newspaper’s publisher. Gordon’s decision had stood. She was back to being a general assignment reporter.
    â€œUmm-hmm. It’s ’cause of that foolishness from last night, ain’t it?” Afrika cut her eyes at Toni.
    â€œGirl, I’m still mad at you about that. You’re lucky my cousin Mikey could pull some strings to get us out. You know I ain’t built for that kinda mess.”
    â€œWhat mess?” Jasmine looked back and forth between Toni and Afrika as she rubbed her oversized tummy.
    â€œIs this where we’re going?” Toni asked, as she pulled the door open to a small café-style shop. She stepped ahead to be seated, not waiting for the girls to catch up.
    She didn’t want to talk about last night. Afrika might have been mad about being locked up for less than an hour. But Toni was still mad about Mikey’s nasty hand on her behind. Plus she would be lying if she said she wasn’t just a little bit worried about what might come out of her kneeing him in the stomach. If that wasn’t enough, she kept having random thoughts about Mr. Hotness, and his chocolate eyes.
    â€œSo anyone gonna tell me what happened last night?” Jasmine asked once they were seated. She looked back and forth between Toni and Afrika, ignoring the menu the waitress had placed in front of her.
    â€œYour sister-in-law got us arrested,” Afrika said grudgingly.
    â€œSeriously?” Jasmine sighed. “Again? This is what, the third time you’ve been picked up?” Jasmine shook her head. “They must have a special spot for you downtown now.”
    â€œNot downtown,” Afrika said, her lip curling in disgust. “Just in the mini-precinct near Bankhead where my cousin happens to work.”
    She turned to Toni. “Why are you and him so familiar anyway? Mikey’s my cousin and all, but I know you ain’t messin’ with his nasty behind.”
    â€œOf course not,” Toni said with disgust.
    â€œSo how’re you getting him to pull those kinda strings for you on a regular?” Afrika asked.
    Toni picked up a menu and yawned. “I let him take me out one time. He probably thinks there’s a chance for something