Chapter 2

Chapter Two

Jerricka closed the door on the semi-organized, semi-chaotic room she used as her office on the set of The Clarke Files. The wardrobe area was bigger than most. It was a testament to the studio not having their head in their ass about at least some parts of the process when it came to the show. As she exited, she walked by the actor's trailers and was reminded of where someone in leadership was fucking up.

Dominique Truman was leaving with her assistant, who Jerricka knew was really a bodyguard, trailing behind her. Waving, the two fell into step together as they walked to the parking area.

She and Dom had worked together previously on other projects and a few times when they'd both been in New York on Broadway productions. Jerricka could feel from the way Dom was staring at her, she wanted to say something.

"What?" Cocking an eyebrow, Jerricka broke the silence.

"You're wearing make-up." Dom's gaze swept over her, making Jerricka want to adjust the blouse she wore over a fitted camisole.

"And you changed clothes." Dom continued her assessment as if she were unraveling a deep mystery.

"Yes... I am, and I did."

A bright smile stole across Dom's pretty face, putting her deep dimples on display.

"You have a date!"

Jerricka's face scrunched at Dom's excited whisper-scream. At least she hadn't yelled it for the world to hear. Although shooting was done for the day, there were still plenty of people milling around.

Tapping the fingers Dom wrapped around her arm, Jerricka nodded. "Yes. I have a date."

While her besties were the only people who knew she'd signed up with the Book Boyfriend Dating Agency, Jerricka didn't mind if Dom was aware of her seeing someone. They weren't super tight, but she was confident Dom wouldn't spread it around the set.

Dominique Truman wasn't that kind of person. Never had been as far as Jerricka knew. So, her being in the know wouldn't hurt. Besides, Jerricka's nerves were starting in on her, and she needed a quick ear. Shanice was on the west coast on business, so she wasn't available to talk, and Nia was at the hospital. She had back-to-back surgeries. So, neither of her besties would be of any help to calm her.

"Are you excited?"

Dom bumped Jerricka's shoulder. Usually, the actress towered over Jerricka's five-foot-four-inch frame. But, with the cute little wedge heels, Jerricka was a few inches closer to Dom's height—with only a couple of inches separating them.

"I guess..." Jerricka's smile probably looked more like a grimace, because that's how it felt.

"You guess?" Slowing her steps, Dom tugged on Jerricka's arm.

Looking around, Jerricka leaned in. "It's a blind date. I picked him from a dating app. But here's the thing..." Jerricka looked around again. "I haven't actually talked to him myself. My friend did it."

The expression on Dom's face projected her thoughts, and Jerricka felt as irrational as she was certain she sounded. Her shoulders drooped as she confessed more.

"We made a deal. If I signed up, she had to sign up. But, to make sure I didn't purposely tank the date, she was the one talking directly to him in the messages. I only received screenshots of the conversations. So, I kinda have a feel for him, but not really."

Worry coated Dom's features. "Do you need back up? Me and Haley can come sit across the restaurant and make sure he's not a creeper."

Her concern brought a genuine smile to Jerricka's face. "Thank you, but I don't think it's necessary. Besides, we aren't going to a restaurant. We're meeting at the arena for the Fantasy game. He has floor seats."

"I can still go. Just let me call Den. He probably knows someone who can get us seats nearby."

It was seriously nice of Dom to volunteer to be her backup. However, Jerricka's anxiety had nothing to do with whether or not Thiago Dominguez was a creeper. Even as large as he was, to her, he didn't give off the air of being a danger—unless he was fucked with. Even in the pictures she saw of him, his vibe was cool unless fucked with. Then all bets were off.

It took her the rest of their walk to the parking area before Jerricka convinced Dom she was fine on her own. She had to promise to send Dom proof of life pictures the same as Nia and Shanice, before the other woman got into the back seat of the SUV and was driven away.

The days were longer, so the sun was sitting low in the sky, but there were still a few hours of daylight left as Jerricka navigated her vehicle from the studio lot and onto the highway. Her nerves reappeared the closer she got to the arena. She gave herself mental pep talks, repeating the green flags her friends said were present in the text conversations with Thiago.

One such flag was that he was a genuine fan of women's basketball. She'd seen the messages of him discussing his favorite teams and players, along with the reasons he liked them. Not once did it come off as him sexualizing the athletes. Although he said he'd only played basketball up through middle school, when he switched to football, he remained interested in the game. He was a purist, who thought there were far fewer fundamentally sound players on the men's teams.

Exhaling her pent-up breath, Jerricka showed the attendant her pass to the season ticket holder's section. The young woman pointed Jerricka in the direction of the numbered parking spot, which was in a well-lit area relatively close to the front of the lot. Having been to more than a few games on her own dime, she was aware this wasn't the door most people used to get inside.

She eased her vehicle into the space next to a large pickup truck, then shut off the engine. With a quick look in the mirror on the back of her visor, Jerricka checked her small, clear cross body purse for everything she needed. Afterwards, she sent a text to her friends and opened the door.

Despite the relatively safe feelings she had, Jerricka remained aware of her surroundings. Which was how she noticed Thiago casually leaning against the wall just to the right of the doorway people were using to enter the arena.

Pictures didn't do the man justice—that in itself was enough to make a chick swallow her tongue. Because, in the pictures on his BBDA profile, he was beyond handsome. However, something about seeing him in person took his appeal up several notches.

Squelching the urge to smooth her clothing or pat her hair to ensure her braids were arranged just so over her shoulder, Jerricka infused confidence in her steps as she approached. It took a concerted effort for her not to stumble over her feet when he pushed away from the wall and started walking towards her.

When a smile stretched his lips, she had to force herself not to look away. The gesture took his stern face from ruggedly handsome to dangerously sexy. Shit. She was in trouble.