I lifted my hand in a silent goodbye as I exited the state-of-the-art fitness center. I had fallen in love with this facility, a brand-new, sprawling, two-story building that included amenities more impressive than the gym near my condo: group fitness classes, a lounge, a smoothie bar, a saltwater lap pool, and even tanning beds. I said goodbye to my old hangout and never looked back.
Sweat cooling on my skin, I slung my duffel bag over my shoulder and walked into the morning sunshine. I had purposely parked at the opposite end of the lot near the wedding boutique so I could get in extra steps. When I arrived an hour ago, seeing the store had reminded me of Manuel and his pending marriage.
He and Blossom were going ring shopping this afternoon. I still hadn't wrapped my head around the fact that my son was getting married. This was a kid who used to scream bloody murder if I didn't let him wear his Spiderman costume to the grocery store and could never keep up with his shoes, somehow losing one almost every time we left the house.Hewas getting married and about to take on the responsibility of a wife in less than three months and might become a father soon after.
One day, I asked him why the big rush.
"I don't want to wait for the rest of my life to begin," he had said.
His answer surprised and impressed me and made me realize he was more mature than I had given him credit for. He also truly loved Blossom.
As I crossed the lot, three women exiting the boutique caught my attention, and I immediately recognized two of them.
Tallulah and Blossom.
Manuel had told me he and Blossom had worked on the budget and her family had taken on some of the expense. Though relieved, I felt guilty and a bit ashamed of my initial reaction to my son covering the entire wedding expense.
My eyes focused on Tallulah. Her wide-leg pants in a soft, blue shade moved when she walked. The fabric skimmed her hips and legs, relaxed but still showing off her figure. A comfortable yet elegant outfit. The sleeveless white top hugged her torso, and the small crossbody bag nestled between her breasts made me briefly forget how my lungs worked and caused a tightening in my chest.
Flat leather sandals showed off her feet, simple and elegant like her clothes. No heels. I wasn't surprised. She hadn't worn any the other times we met. If I had to guess, she probably preferred to go barefoot.
Her locs were pulled into a loose, sculpted style at the crown of her head, part bun, part art installation, with a few ropey strands framing her face and brushing her neck. Gold hoops caught the light when she laughed, and her wrists were stacked with wood, stone, and metal bracelets. A pendant hung around her neck from black rope, its burnished gold color matching the earrings in her ears.
She glanced in my direction, and her eyes widened in surprise. I couldn't blame her. She probably wondered whatthe hell she was looking at. Her appearance was flawless. Put together. I, on the other hand, looked like someone who had barely survived leg day.
My tank top was plastered to my chest, and my hair lay flat and lifeless against my head. My gym-issue shorts were unremarkable, reminding me the duffel bag over my shoulder contained a fresh change of clothes I now desperately wished I had utilized.
Oh, and I stunk. As I neared them, I straightened my posture as if that would help. As if standing taller could magically dry my skin, wipe the stank off me, and turn my tank top into a respectable piece of clothing like one of my suits.
"Ms. Washington. Blossom."
"Hi," Blossom said, dragging out the word with an odd pitch to her voice.
I couldn't shake the feeling that I intimidated her.
"Hello, Jamison. You were working out, I see," Tallulah remarked.
She assessed me from head to toe. Self-consciously, I combed my damp hair back from my forehead with my fingers.
"Yes. I come here regularly. It's a little out of the way, but it's a great facility." My gaze shifted to the young woman with them who sported an impressive-looking Afro.
"This is my niece, Keke. This is Jamison Harris, Manuel's father."
"Nice to meet you." She extended a hand, and we shook briefly.
"You were dress shopping, I guess? Find anything you like?"
They all three glanced at each other, a smile of satisfaction on each of their faces.
"I did. I chose the first one I tried on," Blossom said.
My eyebrows lifted higher. "I always figured finding the perfect dress took weeks or months of shopping."
"The process does take time, but sometimes women get lucky and find the perfect gown right away. Today happened to be my day," Blossom said. "We're on our way to lunch, and then I'm meeting Manuel to pick out our rings. Next week we have to decide on the venue and the cake. So much to do in a short amount of time."
She didn't seem worried. Excitement glittered in her lovely eyes.
"I'm sure you'll both accomplish what you need to." I stifled a yawn by covering my mouth. I still wasn't sleeping well.
