All You'll Ever Need by Sharon C. Cooper Page A

ring his neck. How could he let her walk around looking like a crack head?
    She hurried out of her clothes, leaving them by the door of the attached bathroom and stepped into the shower.
    “Who takes a first date to a stupid farm?” Jada said as she lathered with her favorite lavender body wash. Even after a full day of hanging ductwork, she didn’t get this dirty.
    She had a few hours to recharge and get ready for a real date with Marcus. At least with him she could dress up in her new dress and stilettos. And she was guaranteed a meal at a five-star restaurant.
    Her thoughts went back to Zack, and a warm glow flew through her. She hated picking vegetables, but had to admit. If she were going to do something like gardening again with anyone, she would want it to be with him. In his element out there, he conquered weeds and protected her from worms and spiders. She didn’t miss how everyone gravitated to him, not because of him being a professional football player, but because he was a genuinely nice guy.
    Five hours later, Jada felt like a new woman. If she thought Zack was a nice guy earlier, she now thought he was a real sweetheart. True to his word, her car had arrived within an hour, and the surprise showed up. Best gift ever – a masseuse to work out the kinks in her tired muscles. Jada pampered herself regularly but never had a massage left her so rejuvenated like the one that afternoon. The woman worked her magical fingers on Jada’s sore muscles, leaving her feeling refreshed and ready for anything.
    Now she had a few minutes to finish getting ready for her date with Marcus. She strode into her walk-in closet and slipped into the purple matching bra and pantie set that she had purchased from La Perla. The items might have cost her a day’s wage, but would go perfect with her dress. From the moment she had hit puberty, she insisted that her underwear match whatever outfit she wore, driving her mother crazy.
    She glanced at the clock. Fifteen minutes left. Always prompt, Marcus would be ringing the doorbell at any minute. Hurrying, she stepped into the purple one-shoulder Ralph Lauren dress and smoothed her hands down the side of her body, loving the way the silky material hugged her figure. The color looked amazing against her brown skin and enhanced the sparkle of her dangling diamond earrings with the matching necklace.  
    The doorbell rang.
    “Right on time.” She slipped into her matching four-inch pumps to complete the outfit.
    Jada took one last look in the mirror and grabbed her purse. Seconds later, she stood at the top of the stairs, waiting for Christina to call her down. Jada always liked to make an entrance for her dates, and since CJ didn’t seem to mind getting the door, Jada took advantage of the opportunity. Before she took a step, her cell phone chimed signaling a text message.
    I HAD A GREAT TIME TODAY. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME I SEE YOU. ZACK.
    She hadn’t agreed to go out with him again, and if she did, the date would have to involve something less dirty. Yet, she had to admit that the gift of a massage would go down as one of the sweetest gifts ever. Now she understood how professional football players were able to recover so quickly after playing a hard game. She felt as if she could party all night.
    Jada glided down the stairs slowly, to ensure that Marcus got a good look. Her gaze connected with Christina’s, who stood at the bottom of the stairs, prepared to holler her name again. Her cousin grinned and shook her head. She thought that Jada spent way too much money on clothes and shoes. Her cousin didn’t understand, that in order for Jada to attract the type of man she was looking to marry, she had to invest in clothes, shoes and handbags.
    “Oh, here she is,” Christina said to Marcus and disappeared into the living room.
    Marcus reached for her hand to help her down the last three steps. “I don’t know how it’s possible, but I think you get more beautiful every