"Congratulations," Nyla said to her best friend of thirty something years. The two woman sat at the table while they had lunch in Nyla's kitchen. "You're number one on several bestselling list. You have wonderful reviews in everything from The New York Post to Essence. Other than that what have you been up to?"

"I've been in meeting after meeting with the director and working with the casting director trying to find the right cast for Tainted." Aaliyah smiled.

"I think that Vin Diesel would make the perfect Allen. Who is the guy from the Tyler Perry movies with the crazy wife?"

"Marcus?" Aaliyah looked at her friend thinking she was a few eggs short of a dozen.

"Yeah him. He would make the perfect Michael. What's his name?"

"Uh ... Michael Jai White."

"He is so fine." All the dirty things she wanted to do to him were written all over her face.

"He is so married." Aaliyah shook her head. "You are a mess."

"And you love me anyway."

"Only on Sundays."

"Shut up." Nyla threw a strawberry at her. Aaliyah ducked and picked up a grape off the platter of fruit that sat on the table between them. She threw it hitting her BFF right between the eyes. Both women laughed until they cried.

"I see some things never change." Mark stood in the doorway watching them. "Aren't you two a little too old to be having a food fight?"

"Who are you calling old?" Nyla asked her brother.

Aaliyah looked into his memorizing gray eyes and tried to remember that she wasn't the same little girl that had a major crush on him growing up. Now, she was a grown ass woman.

Having a seat next to her Mark picked up a piece of watermelon off her plate. Aaliyah tried to act like she didn't notice the juice dripping from his sexy chocolate lips. She took a deep breath and tried to get a hold of herself.

"Aren't you way older than both of us?" asked Aaliyah. She couldn't help but notice his white teeth next to his chocolate skin.

"I understand that congratulations are in order. Your book has been number one for that last four weeks." He looked into her eyes. "How many times have you made the bestsellers list?" Mark leaned in a little closer than necessary and picked up another piece of fruit from Aaliyah's plate.

"Her last four books have been on the bestsellers list. In fact," Nyla smiled. "They're doing a movie based on one of her books." Her smile got bigger.

While Nyla continued to talk, Mark took a good look at Aaliyah. It wasn't hard to notice that she had changed. She wasn't the same little brat that use to hang out with his baby sister. Aaliyah had grown into an exquisite women who was sassy, independent, smart and funny. Sexy. He couldn't forget sexy.

For some time now he had been seeing her in a completely new light. To say that he found her attractive would be an understatement. Aaliyah was an African American woman who stood about five six. She had a mocha completion with light green eyes and long wavy black hair. She had a body that most women would kill for. Instead of going to a plastic surgeon to get breast and butt implants, Aaliyah had been blessed with a 36 DD cup, flat stomach and an ample backside. She was definitely his type.

Mark had all of her books. He found them tantalizing and very intriguing. Once he started one, he couldn't seem to put it down. Never in a million years would he have thought that she had such a vivid imagination. On more than one occasion her work had given him one hell of an erection.

"Aaliyah that's great." For the first time he smiled. "Promise me you won't forget us when you become rich and famous."

"I can't wait to walk the red carpet." Nyla spoke. "You have to introduce me to that fine ass Lamman Rucker who played Will from Meet the Browns."

"I don't even know him." Aaliyah shook her head.

"Now that I think about it, he would make a great Michael too."

Aaliyah tilted her head to the side while she considered what her zany friend said.

"You're right. He would be perfect for the roll of Michael. I should run that past Max." She pulled out her cell, got up from the table and stepped outside on to the balcony that overlooked New York City.

"Who's Max?" Mark asked while helping himself to another strawberry from Aaliyah's plate.

"He's the director of Tainted." Nyla smiled.

"Look at you going Hollywood already and you haven't even written one single word." He shook his head.

"Have you talked to Mom?"

"Yeah." Mark got up, walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of orange juice. "We had lunch yesterday." He took a sip. His eyes stopped on Aaliyah. For a moment he lost his train of thought. "Is she giving you the same grandchildren speech that she's giving me?"

"You know she is." Nyla closed her eyes and rubbed her temple.

"Then one of you better give her some grandkids quick." Aaliyah laughed as she came back inside and returned to her seat. She looked at her empty plate then at Mark. "What are the two of you waiting on?"

"I don't see you rushing to have any babies," replied Nyla. "I hear your biological clock ticking too."

"Trust me, I'm not in any rush. Some women turn thirty and having a baby is all they seem to think about. You have people saying that studies show that women should have their children before 35 for various reasons." Aaliyah shook her head. "Believe it or not. I would like to be married awhile before I start having kids. Being financially stable is another requirement. In the Bible Sarah had a baby and she was way over 35. God did it for her he will do it for me too."

"I agree." Mark was impressed. Aaliyah had a good point.

"Look at Halle Berry. She had a baby and she's over 35. The last I heard she had another child. She's like forty something. It's not like it's the end of the world if you don't have a child by 35."

"You need to tell my mother that. She's old school. Momma was married and having children by the time she was twenty-three."

"So what's the next book going to be about?" Mark asked.

"I don't know. Really haven't given it much thought." Aaliyah shrugged her shoulders. "I've been working on a book of erotic short stories for a while but I need a few more stories."

"How do you usually pick your topics?"

"It just comes to me. I'm sure that I'll be able to come up with something."

"Whatever it is I'm sure that it's going to be great." Nyla told her friend.

"I have to go." Pushing up his sleeve, Mark checked his watch. "I have a meeting with Councilmen Chambers." He stood and drank the rest of his orange juice. Bending down he kissed Nyla's cheek. "Guess I'll be seeing you around Meatball." Mark smiled at Aaliyah and headed for the door.

"You know I hate it when you call me that!" Aaliyah yelled.

"I know."

Marks's laugher only made her more livid. From the bay window Aaliyah watched Mark walk to his car. With time he had become more debonair. Distinguished even. He had gotten a little taller. Maybe he was 6'3. There were definitely more muscles than she remembered. In his goat-tee were a few gray hairs that made him look all the more wiser and brought attention to his delectable lips. For some reason he reminded her of actor Idris Elba.

"Earth to Aaliyah."

"Huh?"

"Dwayne Johnson?"

"What about him?" Aaliyah was completely lost.

"I was just saying he would make a good Allen or Chris. Now that I think about it. I like him more for the role of Chris."

Aaliyah couldn't help but smile.

"You're right, he would. You should be a casting agent."

The two women continued to laugh like school girls as they talked.

Aaliyah stared at a blank notebook page. She had been sitting there thirty minutes trying to come up with the topic of her next novel. Normally the subject would just come to her and she would be writing nonstop. Thus far she had nothing. This was strange. Aaliyah didn't know if she wanted to try horror or something sci-fi. Was it possible that she had writer's block? Or it could be that she had too many things on her mind.

Not too long ago she finished the script to Tainted. The last week or two she spent most of her time fine tuning it. She had found a director and financing for the move. Now she was helping pick out the cast, scouting locations and going over some ideas with Max.

A voice said maybe she should focus on Tainted. There was no rush for her to come up with another book right away. The movie was still in pre-production and there was still a million and one things for her to do.

That shoot would be almost a month. Then there was the post-production. Tainted wouldn't be ready for release for another few months after that. She was more than sure that she would be able to come up with something by the time the movie was ready to hit the theaters.

Closing her notebook and putting down her pen, Aaliyah took a deep breath. She looked out of her window at the bright lights of New York City. Cars and people filled the streets going and coming from wherever. It was 1:39 in the morning and the streets were packed as if it was 1:39 in the afternoon. They say that New York is the city that never sleeps. Aaliyah was learning that statement was so very true.

Now Aaliyah was wide awake with nothing to do. She could take a train downtown and go to the movies on 34th Street. That movie she had been dying to see came out last Friday. Her dear friend Mariah from college was having a party uptown. That was another option. Then there was the opening of some new nightclub another friend had told her about. Or she could run down to Mr. Lu's, get the barbecue ribs with fried rice and white sauce come home and watch one of her favorite movies. A hot bath with the latest Eric Jerome Dicky book didn't sound too bad either.

The voice inside her head screamed PARTY! It had been way to long since Aaliyah had gotten all dressed up and had a night on the town. It was early Saturday morning. She was young, and, single with on kids. There was no reason for her to be shut up in the house. Aaliyah should be out having fun, living life.

For years Mariah had been trying to get Aaliyah to come to one of the parties she was always having. Going to a private party in a loft sounded a whole lot better than going to a club with a bunch of young people who probably weren't even old enough to be drinking. Then there was the loud music, strangers stepping all over her brand new shoes and spilling drinks all over her Versace dress.

Then there were the men. The ones that still lived with their mothers while they were trying to get their shit together. Or the ones with six kids and five baby momma's who hadn't paid child support in years but wants to buy you a drink. How could one forget about the man who just can't seem to take the hint that you're not interested? Mariah's party was starting to sound better by the moment

As Aaliyah stepped out of the cab she could hear the music coming from Mariah's building. Maxwell's Til the Cops Come Knocking was playing. For a second, Aaliyah closed her eyes and nodded to the melody. She got a vibe that tonight was going to be a good night.

Once inside, she looked around the crowded two story loft for her friend. There was a nice size gathering but still enough room to move around and not be elbow to elbow with everybody. The music was old school R&B and neo-soul. It was loud but not loud enough to where one had to shout to have a conversation with the person next to them. The lyrics to the songs weren't calling women bitches and describing vulgar ways to have sex with them or how much money they made from selling drugs.

There were four long tables with a variety of finger foods and fresh fruit. There were two bars. One on each side of the room severing only top shelf sprits and the best wine and champagne. The people were having a wonderful time as they ate, drank and did their things on the dance floor.

"It's about time you got here." Mariah handed Aaliyah a glass of bubbly. "I was starting to think that you weren't going to make it." She took a sip of her own. "What took you so long?"

"Well, what happened was ..."

"You were probably writing and lost track of time."

"Bestselling novels don't write themselves."

"I know that's right. You better make that money."

Both women laughed and took a sip of their wine.

"The DJ is really doing his thing." Lady by Deangelo was playing.

"There are a lot of people here I want to introduce you too."

"I don't like the look in your eyes." Aaliyah took a good look at her. "What are you up too?"

"Nothing." Her devious smile said more than her words. "You have a few fans here. They would love to meet you. Plus there are a lot of business contacts you could make here." Mariah took Aaliyah by the hand and they disappeared into the crowd.

Throughout the night Mariah held true to her word. She introduced Aaliyah to a few magazine owners, who all wanted to run a story about her in their publications. There was nothing like positive publicity. That would only increase her book sales and generate a buzz for the upcoming movie. Next on Mariah's list were the national syndicated TV. and radio show host. They all wanted to have Aaliyah on their shows to talk about Tainted Love the book that was flying off the bookshelves in every book store across the country.

Aaliyah was more than impressed with the guest list. There were doctors, lawyers, artist, professional athletes and politicians. Not to mention there were drop dead handsome men everywhere. More than one caught her attention. She made herself a promise she wouldn't go home without at least one number.

Throughout the night Aaliyah had fun. She couldn't remember when the last time was that she had done so. The food was amazing. Every time she turned around Mariah seemed to be putting another glass of wine or champagne in her hand. More than once Aaliyah made her way out to the dance floor. When she tried to take a moment to catch her breath another attractive man would ask her to dance. While Aaliyah stood at the bar waiting for the bartender to return with her drink, she took the time to take a few deep breaths.

A tall dark sexy man stood a few feet behind Aaliyah. He watched her. Most of the night she had managed to hold his attention. However, he noticed that he wasn't the only one. Not only had she succeeded in captivating the men she had done the same to a few of the women as well. He decided to talk to her before another man asked her to dance. The man walked up beside her and placed his elbows on the bar.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" A deep smooth voice asked.

"Yes. It's a nice party."

The bartender returned with her drink. She took a sip.

"I've been trying to catch up to you all night." The fact the she hadn't looked at him yet was starting to irritate him just a little. "I hear you're some hotshot writer."

For the first time she turned around to see whom she was speaking with. The gentlemen standing next to her looked down at her and smiled.

"What are you doing here?" Aaliyah was shocked to see him of all people there.

"Very small world." Mark sipped his drink. "I was just about to ask you that very same question." He moved a little closer to her.

"This is my friend Mariah's party. She's been trying to get me to come to one of these things for years."

"Is that right." He raised one of his eyebrows. "Tonight you decided to grace us with your presence." Mark chuckled.

"So are you going to answer my question?"

She turned to face him.

Mark noticed how her little red dress seemed to fit her in all the right places. It took everything in him not to lick his lips. The dress stopped a few inches below the curve of her lovely backside. Her caramel thighs were tone and seemed to go on forever. Her breast sat up and had his attention. The fact that she smelled like cotton candy wasn't helping.

"I'm sorry." Closing his eyes for a second, he shook his head to clear the explicit images out of his mind. "I've been to a few of Mariah's parties."

"So you know her too?"

"Yes." Mark smiled and took another sip of his drink. "I've known her a long time. I didn't know the two of you knew one another."

"I've known her since my freshman year at Spellman. So how do the two of you know each other? Wait a minute." She smiled. "Don't tell me the two of you use to date."

"No." He shook his head. "We travel in the same circles." He looked into her eyes. "Do you know what kind of party this is?"

"Well, well, well. Don't the two of you make a wonderful couple?" Mariah joined them. "Why do I get the feeling that the two of you already know each other?"

"He's my best friend's brother."

"You don't say." Her eyes looked at Mark, then Aaliyah and then back to Mark. "So are you having fun yet?"

"Yes." All night long Aaliyah noticed people headed upstairs to the second level. "Where are all those people going?"

"She has no clue what type of social function this is does she?" Mark looked at Mariah. The way they exchanged glances made Aaliyah want to know what was going on. She waited for her friend to explain.

"Well you see..."

"Master?" A medium sized Caucasian women approached Mark. With each step she took, Mariah and Aaliyah thought she was going to bust out of the very tight black dress. As she stood beside him she threw her long blonde hair over her shoulder. "I've been looking everywhere for you." She put her arm around his.

Both Mark and Mariah turned and looked at Aaliyah. The woman with the death grip on his arm looked at her as well. There was a very long silence.

"Great party Mariah." The woman spoke. "No one throws them like you." She smiled.

"Uh thank you ..." Mariah tried to remember her name.

"Kendal." The woman rolled her green eyes. She was insulted that Mariah didn't know her name. She had been coming to these parties for years.

"Apologize!" There was so much base in his voice when he said that one word. It sounded more like a command. Mark didn't like her tone. He took her arm from around his. Closing his gray eyes, he took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry." Kendal looked down at the floor. There was another strange silence.

"Aaliyah, there are some more people I want you to meet." Mariah wrapped her arms around Aaliyah's and the two women were off.

"Did she just call him master?"

There were many wonderful smells rolled up into one mouthwatering aroma. Saluted onion with fresh garlic and mushrooms was enough to make anyone hungry. Those were just some of the ingredients to Aaliyah's incredible lasagna that was sitting on the counter cooling. Taking a minute, she refilled her glass of red wine and took a sip. The baby spinach salad was finished. She had just taken the garlic bread out the oven. The only thing left was to put the icing on the red velvet cupcakes.

Snapping her fingers to the beat Aaliyah rocked her hips to the music. She was so enthralled in what she was doing that she hadn't noticed the man leaning against the frame of her kitchen door. His eyes followed her curves. He remembered all too well the way he use to hug her body the way her shirt was now. Her prefect breast sat up as if she were wearing a bra. The way her nipple pressed against the