“We’re good. I’ll see you a little later.”
Jason headed out the door, giving me one last glance over his shoulder before disappearing. I busied myself with putting away some of the law books I had tucked in boxes and on my desk. The furniture I’d ordered for my new spacious office hadn’t arrived yet, so I was using an old desk and chairs in the meantime. Just as I got lost in unpacking, a knock at my door startled me.
“Hey, cousin,” a deep, male voice stated behind me.
My lips parted in a grin at the sound of Jamal’s voice. I turned to see my six-foot-two cousin dressed in a pinstripe suit. In his hand was a bouquet of white lilies.
“Hey, Mal,” I greeted as he pulled me into a side hug.
“These are for you. Welcome to the building.” He grinned down at me.
“Thank you.” I took the clear glass vase from his hands. Jamal’s office was in the same building as my father’s firm, a few flights down. “You didn’t have to do this. Come in.”
“It was nothing. How does it feel to be here finally?” he asked.
“Honestly, a little surreal. I haven’t had time to process it all yet. How’re things in your neck of the woods?” I perched myself on the edge of my desk.
“Going well. Business is growing. I’m going to have to hire another financial advisor soon.”
My face lit up with excitement for him. “That’s great. You’re growing.”
“Well, you know,” he stated, chuckling and popping his collar.
I playfully rolled my eyes. “Don’t get too full of yourself or anything.”
“So, what’s up? You on lunch?”
“Soon. Gabby’s coming in to bring lunch in a bit.” I paused as a thought entered my mind. “Hey, speaking of business, can I ask you something?”
Jamal’s face crinkled into a curious frown. “Of course, what’s up?”
“Have a seat.” I gestured to the chair across from my desk.
Jamal folded his big self into the chair, stretching his legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankles and clasping his hands. I was reminded of my uncle, Jamal’s father. Mal looked so much like a younger version of him, but I didn’t dare mention that. I knew it was still a touchy subject.
“So, my friend, Gabby. You remember her, right? I think you two met at a club a few months back.”
An expression appeared on his face that I couldn’t pinpoint, but it disappeared, and he nodded.
“Okay, well she’s an esthetician and massage therapist. One of the best around,in my unbiased opinion.” I smirked.
Jamal snorted but said nothing else.
“She’s great and passionate about her career. In fact, one of her main goals is to open her salon to service women and men of varying incomes.”
“Massage parlors and spas are popular. She’ll have some strong competition”
My lips pursed at the doubt I heard in his voice.
“But it’s not impossible, right?”
He shrugged, adjusting his light-colored silk tie. “I mean, it depends.”
“On?”
“A number of factors. How long has she been in the business? What are her credentials? She just moved to Houston a little over a year ago, right? Same time as you?”
I nodded.
