Still a Friend of Mine is a fresh, enthralling, and witty tale that follows the journey of two best friends from college through their scandals, dating escapades, and family drama until a man comes between them. It begs the questions...What's more important true friendship or true love? Is it ever okay to date your best friend's ex? Cheyenne Tate is privileged, ambitious and focused on becoming a Supreme Court justice, but in her personal life, she has trouble maintaining a long-term relationship as she goes from boyfriend to boyfriend. That is until she finds her soul mate-her best friend Aja's ex-boyfriend. Aja Braxton is beautiful, endearing, and warmhearted on the outside, but inside she harbors the pain and disappointment of being betrayed by her mother, father, and everyone close to her. She dreams of a life in Paris working in the fashion industry. But after tragedy strikes, she abruptly breaks up with the boyfriend she's been with since she was 13 years old and moves to New York, only to find more tragedy. Jennifer Harper probes the lives of two compelling characters who are driven to pursue ambitious goals in spite of daunting obstacles, while trying to figure out the balance between loyalty, love...and friendship.

Still A Friend of Mine

By Jennifer Harper

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Jennifer Harper
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-7245-2

Chapter One

It was Valentine's Day. Normally, Cheyenne Tate hated Valentine's Day because she was usually boyfriendless. The times she did have a boyfriend, he usually fell short of her romantic expectations. Except that year Cheyenne's high school sweetheart, Jarvis gave her a dozen roses from Kroger's and a box of Hershey's kisses. It was a sweet thought. But this time, today, she knew it would be different.

For the last five months, Cheyenne had been dating the handsome, suave, debonair, Victor Morton and he was on his way over to take her out for a night of dinner, dancing, and romance. She was so excited and about to burst because she had not seen him in two weeks. He had been so busy with work that he had to cancel out on Cheyenne the last two times they where supposed to hook up. She probably would have given him attitude, but she was trying to act maturely and be understanding. Yes, she was a 20-year old college junior attending Hoyt College-a highly revered historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia-and he was a distinguished 38-year old attorney, but she was trying really hard not to let their age difference be a problem for him. This was the first time she had dated an older man and to let her tell it, it was so different from dating guys her age who only had sex, sports, and partying on the brain. Victor was so intelligent, and their conversations were so deep. He challenged her-in a good way. Cheyenne loved who he was, and loved who she became when they were together.

Victor was a lawyer, Cheyenne was pre-law, her father was a judge, and her mother and uncle were both lawyers. It didn't take a psychoanalyst to conclude that her attraction to Victor had something to do with his occupation. If it was examined further, that psychoanalyst would also conclude that since she lost her father when she was a senior in high school, her dating an older man, was a search for a father figure. Cheyenne didn't like that idea though because her father was her hero and no one could ever measure up to him or replace him.

Cheyenne stood in her bra and panties as she put the finishing touches on her make-up. She tried to hurry because Victor would be there any minute. The doorbell rang. She quickly slipped into her black halter dress and fierce new sling back pumps and hurried to the door. She opened the door and Victor stood in the doorway dressed in a conservative business suit and tie and holding a shopping bag.

"Hey, Cheyenne. Happy Valentine's," Victor said while checking her out.

"Hey, you," she replied, flashing a warm smile.

"Damn baby girl, you're looking sexy," Victor said as he walked in and closed the door.

Cheyenne was thrilled that he came bearing gifts, but she expected no less from him on Valentine's Day. Victor moved in to kiss her hello. As their tongues were tangoing, she fantasized about the diamond earrings, or tennis bracelet, or pearl necklace, or maybe-dare she dream-engagement ring that was wrapped in the bag. Oh, how she loved her man.

"Let me grab my coat and I'll be ready to go."

"Um, we're staying in tonight. I brought dinner, wine, and a little surprise for you," Victor informed her.

"But you promised me we were going out to dinner. Look at me, I got all dressed up," she said. Cheyenne was pissed and thought, I'm looking all beautiful and sexy in my new dress and he was trying to pull this shit again.

"I've been in the office since six this morning and I'm tired. I just want to have a quiet, relaxing evening with my girl. I know you're still young, but you need to understand that when a man works as hard as I do, sometimes he just needs to chill. I'm not twenty years old, trying to get my party on."

Here he goes again dropping the age card. Cheyenne felt like bursting into tears, but that would be immature and she didn't want him to breakup with her because she was too young to handle an adult relationship. So once again, she sucked it up and concealed her disappointment.

Victor made himself at home as he went into her kitchen, opened the bottle of wine, poured himself a glass, and took a big gulp. "I have a present for you," he said.

"You do?"

"Cheyenne, you know I'm not gonna forget my baby on Valentine's Day."

She joked, "You better not." But inside she was still stinging about not going out.

Victor went into the bag and pulled out a gift box. It was too big for jewelry, but it was beautifully wrapped in red paper and a satin white ribbon. She knew whatever it was, she was going to love it. Cheyenne opened the box to find a red push up bra and garter belt. Gee, what I always wanted-ho gear, she thought trying to suppress her disappointment.

"Why don't you put it on and model it for me?" he asked her.

Cheyenne forced a smile. She knew she had to keep her man happy. What the hell, it might be fun to be a ho for a day in the privacy of my own apartment, she thought. So she went into her bedroom and changed. Feeling like a stripper without a pole, she returned to the living room to model for her man.

Victor had gotten comfortable on the sofa and removed his suit jacket and loosened his tie. His lust-filled eyes looked Cheyenne up and down, while he massaged his crotch. He motioned for her to come over and join him on the couch and she obliged. They kissed passionately while Victor dropped his pants. Victor's kisses moved from her mouth to her neck, and she started to tingle all over. Maybe staying home wasn't such a bad idea after all, Cheyenne thought.

Victor gripped the back of her neck and started pushing her head down. What the hell was he doing? He had never done this before. Cheyenne opened her eyes to see Victor holding his big black hard penis in the other hand. Oh ... now I get it, she thought.

Pre-Victor, Cheyenne never performed oral sex on a guy. She guessed it really turned men on. It wasn't that she was against it, but just didn't really know what to do. But that wasn't a problem anymore because as she went down on Victor, he provided instructions. "Lick it, lick it, ooh suck it, ooh yeah, that's good, jack it jack it, jack and suck, jack and suck," he directed her.

When Victor had enough, he stood Cheyenne up, turned her around and bent her over a chair and entered her from behind, doggy style. Again, she knew she lacked experience, but shouldn't there be more touching and caressing-something to get her ready for the big one, before ramming it in? She felt like she was in Colorado and just hung out with Kobe Bryant. Victor came in less than a minute. Thank heavens for small blessings-at least this time, since she wasn't having any fun yet.

Now that the quickie was out of the way and they wouldn't be getting their dancing on, Cheyenne conceded that at least they could have dinner, watch a movie, and cuddle. She loved to cuddle with Victor. His arms were so strong and she felt safe and happy when they were around her. She went into her bedroom and put on a robe. When she came back into the living room, Victor had his coat on and stood by the door.

"Sorry to cut our night short, but I gotta get back to the office," he said to her.

"Are you kidding me? We haven't even had dinner yet. I thought you were staying the night." Damn being mature. She couldn't hold back her emotions any longer and started crying.

"What's wrong?" Victor asked.

"You never take me out, I haven't...