Someone tapped Jake’s shoulder. He turned and saw a TV host he’d known for years, a beautiful blonde who was the ex-wife of one of his NFL buddies. They’d just started to chat when he saw someone else—a statuesque African American woman gliding across the room, her chin slightly tilted as she scanned the crowd. Her form-fitting copper dress showed pow out to here and bang out to there and as if that wasn’t enough to make a brothah’s mouth water, those thick, shapely calves would definitely do the job. Dayum! Who is that?

“Jake, did you hear me?”

“I’m sorry, Madison, what did you say?”

“I was asking if you’d seen my ex lately. I heard he got divorced again, and quite frankly I’m worried about him.”

Jake answered Madison’s question but later that night if someone had offered him a million dollars to do so, he couldn’t have repeated what he said. Big and natural wasn’t normally his type, but there was something about the woman who commanded the room, as she’d walked through, it that touched his soul in a deep, almost primal way. Maybe Shawn was right. Not about the fourth-grade teacher but about what he’d suggested the previous week—that Jake get back into the dating game. Jake hadn’t dated seriously since relocating to LA a year ago. So maybe he did need to pull out the Big Mac skills and make a play. And maybe he needed to do so tonight.

Later, Dominique sat chatting with those on each side of her, enjoying the delicious second course of lobster bisque. The president of the foundation hosting the benefit had just done the welcome and an award-winning actor had delivered a succinct and humorous speech, and then underscored his belief in the importance of education with a check for $100,000. Several honor roll students from various districts—both privileged and at-risk—gave short speeches on what education meant to them, followed by a pop singer’s rousing performance of her latest hit single. Other well-known speakers graced the stage and awards were given. By the time a short, fifteen-minute film had ended, Dominique had finished her main course. She looked at her watch and decided to skip dessert. Having made an appearance and secured a few cards for future interviews and ad campaigns, she felt it was time to go.

She said good-bye to her tablemates, including the event’s organizer, and during a lull in the program Dominique stood to make her move. Walking alongside the wall and trying to be as inconspicuous as a woman who stood six foot two in heels could be, she kept her eyes downcast as she made her way to the double doors leading out of the room.