Brooklyn and Tessa came and kissed her goodbye.
“I love y’all. Brook, if you need anything, call my phone. Are you sure you can handle the baby?” Ellie asked.
“I’m positive, Mom. He sleeps most of the time. All I’m doing is changing diapers and feeding him on a schedule. I got it,” Brooklyn reassured.
Ellie looked skeptically.“Maybe I should just…”
“You should get your ass out the door before we’re late. She’s got it, girl, nowgo’n,” Shy fussed.
Ellie and Courtney hopped in one car and Shy hopped in the backseat of her S-Class as Lola took the driver’s seat.
“Girl, who the fuck Shy think she is?” Ellie snickered.
“Chile, you know she always gave rich bitch, main character, energy. Let her live.”
The girls shared a laugh because their friend had always been that bitch, even in middle school when she used to wear her two-inch heels from Payless. She had graduated to Red Bottoms and Birkin bags, and you couldn’t tell her shit.
“The best part is raiding her closet because she had the perfect purse to go with this dress,” Ellie said.“What is the plan for James? Does you accepting this invitation mean you’re going to go back?”
Courtney sighed.
“It means I’m willing to go out tonight. I just feel like we need to work on it day by day. Today might be yes, tomorrow might be no. It depends on him and his progress and his actions. It also depends on me and mine. That first therapy session made me realize I’m not really ready to be a partner for anyone. I’ve got some healing to do.”
“I’m so damn proud of you, Court. Like, for real,” Ellie said.“You’re so strong.”
“I don’t feel like it, but thanks, Ellie,” Courtney responded.
Ellie’s stomach twisted nervously as they arrived at the venue.
“Wow,” she muttered as the valet opened her door and she stepped out. Shy and Lola pulled in right behind them, and they all walked up the red-carpeted staircase. It reminded her of the Met Gala. Loyal had rented out the Flint Institute of Arts for the evening, and it was beautifully decorated. The event’s photographers and the local newspapers were out, taking pictures of everyone as they arrived. Ellie posed alone and then with Courtney and Shy before they all made their way inside.
“Where is Sloan?” Ellie asked herself as she stepped into the room. She pulled out her phone.
Ellie
Hey, we just arrived. Are you on your way?
She slid the phone into her small clutch and then found her way to her seat.
“It’s beautiful in here,”Shy said, amazed at the transformation of the arts institute. The live band played R&B classics as waiters in black pants and white shirts and black ties, served champagne from crystal trays. The speakeasy theme was dark and moody, and a casino royale was the running activity. There was gaming tables set up around the room. At each seat was a gift bag for each attendee with fake chips inside. She picked up the note.
“The player with the most chips at the end of the night gets to donate the pot to the charity of their choice. Remember, you have to bet big to win big. Good luck!” she said, reading it aloud. She laughed because it was a cute concept, and it instantly excited her.
“Your boy knows how to throw a party,” Shy complimented, digging through her gift bag and pulling out the expensive items inside.
“Essential Body Love,Boujee Hippiesupplements,Boss Locshair products,Hairapyby Enjoli,Marty’s Kitchenspices,Dipped by Tonicupcakes,Euphoric Collectionscandle,Sweat Freakt-shirt,B-Editsaffirmation cards, and a motherfucking Ashley Marie autographed book? All these are top-tier Black-owned businesses. Plus,Foundation Health Careis the platinum sponsor! The partnerships are intentional and lit,” Shy exclaimed. It was an elevated experience without question.
Ellie nodded her head smoothly to the music as she looked around the room for Loyal. When she spotted Cassidy instead, she smiled. Her brother was dapper in a cranberry JW Anderson suit.“That boy is clean,” Ellie teased as she watched the women in the room clamor over one another for his time. His only accessory was the gold presidential Rolex on his wrist. It was perfect for the occasion, and he wore it like the designer had made it specifically for his frame.
“Yeah, he is,” Lola admired.
Ellie snapped her neck back in shock as Lola lifted from the table.“Excuse me,” Lola said. Courtney snickered as Lola crossed the room, looking like a million bucks, interrupting all the women who were surrounding Cass.
“Umm, not your assistant trying to shoot her shot at my brother,”Ellie noticed.“I mean, she is cute, though.” She watched as Cassidy accepted the glass of champagne that Lola had picked up along the way. Ellie jerked her head back even further and put a hand on her breast.“Oop, and not he like her.”
“Lola better pump her brakes before Sloan walk through the door,”Shy mumbled.
“Wait, what?” Ellie shot back, turning in her seat to face her friends.
