“He seemed sincere. Why?” he countered. I shrugged and headed for the shower. “Don’t do that, mama. Talk.”
“I think his agenda is different from what he’s presenting. I don’t want to assume shit, but it’s the vibe I got from him.”
“Well, if you feel like he after more than a relationship, feed him with a long spoon. Don’t offer him anything other than a relationship. If you feel like he doesn’t deserve that, then don’t give him that either. Mama, nobody is makin’ you do nothin’ you don’t want to do.”
He had that right. I wasn’t doin’ shit if I didn’t feel like it. I nodded and started the shower.
I was starting to overthink the situation, and that would bring on unnecessary thoughts. Whatever he was genuinelywanting from me would be revealed. Nothin’ could stay hidden for too long.
&
It felt good to put on clothes other than sundresses and biker shorts. Being on bed rest gave me the relaxation I needed, but a bitch was bored. It was grand opening day, and I was excited.
For so long, I watched everyone around me be passionate about somethin’. Now it was my turn. Ties & Tips was put together in six long months. It was in a lane of its own. I was proud of me if no one else was.
My lounge was a new beginning, so I tried somethin’ new myself. I went and got my hair straightened for the first time. I didn’t know how Christian would take it.
I wore a maroon shoulder strapped maternity maxi dress that was custom made by one of Christian’s church members. The fabric wasn’t itchy, and the design was nice. Plus, I didn’t look like a hippo. She had my approval.
Makeup wasn’t my thing, but because of the occasion, I decided to have it done. I had a whole team in my closet that pampered me for the evening. The excitement I had for that day was through the roof.
We had about forty-five minutes to get to the lounge. For once in my life, I was ready on time. I did a once-over and was pleased with my look.
“Mama, we got to go!” Christian yelled for me.
I made my way downstairs, overjoyed and a lil’ nervous. That lounge was my baby before Christian knocked me up. I wanted the people to like what I cooked up.
When I made it to the bottom of the stairs, Christian was staring at me with glossy eyes. I immediately thought somethin’ was wrong.
“Baby, why are you gettin’ ready to cry? What’s wrong?”
“You are beyond beautiful. I have got to be the luckiest man alive.”
His words brought on a smile that went from ear to ear. I never had anyone look at me the way that man did. His compliments always gave me that extra boost in confidence. I didn’t care about no one else’s opinion but his.
“Thank you, baby. You lookin’ real debonair yourself.”
He palmed my face and placed a kiss on me that made my knees weak. I then understood what SWV meant.
“A’ight. If I don’t stop, we goin’ to miss your opening.” Grabbing my hand, I was led out the door.
Christian was goin’ all out for me. He had a limousine waiting to escort us to Ties & Tips. For the record, I’d never ridden in a limousine. He just came with so many surprises.
He opened the door, and I was greeted by the twins. I screamed when I saw them. They had been so good to me during the six months of building my business. I had the people with me that mattered.
“Twins!”
They moved to the side so that Christian and I could sit. I didn’t know how to act at that moment. I finally put my stamp on somethin’ that I could call my own.
“Hi, Journei. Are you ready?” Emilia asked.
“I think I am. I am super-duper nervous right now, and you should be able to tell because I said super-duper. Like what the fuck?” I said, followed by me hiding my face in my hands and laughing.
“It’s okay, friend. You got the jitters, and that’s a good thing. We had something special made for you too. I already knowyou’re goin’ to love it, so give me my ‘thank you’ now,” Nina chimed.
We sat and enjoyed each other’s company. I was more than grateful for the twins. They stuck by me when they didn’t have to. There were times where I didn’t show up for meetings, return phone calls, and slacked on things.
When people were genuinely there for others, they understood their short comings. They encouraged them not to stop and even picked up the slack sometimes. They did that, and what I paid them showed how thankful I was.
