“Tyler, can’t you see you interrupted a private moment between them?” a petite, Black woman next to Tyler said. She was gorgeous and easily identifiable. Everyone knew how crazy Tyler was about his wife, Destiny.
Destiny's baby bump wasn’t hard to miss as she rested her hand on her belly.
Not only that, but I’d been a long-time fan of her personal finance podcast,Fashion and Finances. She co-hosted it with her best friend and cousin, Resha.
“Oh my goodness,” I rasped out. “I’m a big fan.”
“See?” Tyler said, looking at his wife. “She’s a fan of mine. It’s no interruption.”
“No,” I corrected, causing three pairs of eyes to pin me. “I’m sorry, um, Tyler … Mr. Townsend. You’re great. But I meant your wife. I’ve listened to your podcast for years. If it weren’t for you and Resha, I would’ve never had my finances together enough to leave my job and start my business. Your advice was the reason I started saving and investing my annual bonuses and why I bought a house much smaller than what I could afford.”
I turned to Brutus with wide eyes. “Remember I told you how much I loved the book she wrote a few years ago? I have both the hardcover and audio versions,” I told Destiny.
I stopped talking and pressed my lips together, realizing I was gushing a little.
Clearing his throat, Brutus pulled me into his side protectively.
For her part, Destiny busted out into a laugh. “Sorry, big guy.” She slapped the back of her hand against her husband’s chest. “It’s not always about you.”
Good-naturedly, Tyler shrugged. “It hasn’t been about me since the day I met you.”
A sigh fell from my lips. Brutus’ hold on my hip tightened. He leaned in. “Don’t let his pretty words influence you. He’s full of shit,” he quipped.
I turned to Brutus and ran my fingers through his beard. “He’s not the only one who talks a good game.”
I thought I said it loud enough for only him to hear, but when I turned back to the couple before us, they both stared between us. A mischievous smile played on Tyler’s lips.
“I’ll be damned,” he said just above a whisper.
“Tyler, Destiny, this is Mia,” Brutus introduced.
I stuck out my hand. “I’m so sorry. I tend to jump right in the deep end on the conversation part. Just ask Brutus. I practically talked his ear off during the plane ride when we first met. He saw my book …” I trailed off. “See? I’m doing it again.”
Chuckling, Tyler shook my hand. “No worries.”
“Nice to meet you,” Destiny said, shaking my hand. “To finally meet you. We’ve heard a lot about you.”
My eyes bulged. “Really?” I peered up at Brutus.
He gave me a casual look but didn’t say anything. Before I could interrogate him on that, another couple approached. Joshua and Kayla Townsend.
“She’s a hugger,” Destiny said a split second before Kayla engulfed me in an embrace.
“You’re so beautiful,” she complimented. “This burgundy is gorgeous.”
I felt at ease with the women instantly. Sure, part of it was my extroverted personality, but they were kind and sweet.
“Thank you.”
“I hear you’re opening a coffee shop?” Kayla asked after a few minutes of conversation.
As usual, excitement sparked when I started talking about my shop. “A few more weeks until it opens.”
“It’s going to be phenomenal,” Brutus said, an assuredness in his voice that settled the little sparks of fear and doubt that came up whenever I thought about my new venture.
“This guy loves his cup of coffee in the morning.” Kayla thrust her thumb at her husband.
“With three kids, it’s more like two and a half cups these days,” Joshua said, chuckling.
