Coffee didn’t miss a beat. “Tell that Black, ugly motherfucker that if he can’t make it this time, I’m going to Greece with youand gladly using his ticket. A free trip sounds like a blessing to me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m definitely making it this time. My baby already pushed it back once—I can’t let that happen again.”
I stepped forward and kissed Khloe on the forehead. She laughed and shook her head, still focused on her vase.
“He can cancel all he wants,” she said. “I’m still going. I was being nice last time.”
“I heard that,” Coffee added. “I love yall. Take care of yourself, Kairo. I’ll call you later, Khlo”
“Alright, Coffee. Love you too.”
The call ended, and I stood there just watching Khloe smiling.
Coffee wasn’t just her best friend. She was someone Khloe could talk to in her darkest moment to bring her back to the light. What I admired about Coffee most was that even though she rode for Khloe, she always showed me love. She’d call me out, sure. But it was always from a place of wanting the best for her best friend. When we would bring an idea to her, she always made us see each other’s point of view in ways we couldn’t. That kind of loyalty and love, you couldn’t fake it.
I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and leaned on the counter, watching Khloe fluff her bouquet like she was putting the final touches on a masterpiece.
I stayed leaning on the counter, watching her before she finally looked up at me. There was something on her mind. I didn’t know what it was but I could feel it deep in my chest.
“You remember that little garden we found when we went to Westin Hills?” I asked.
She raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond.
“You were mad at me about something—hell, probably about work again—and we ended up getting lost walking back to theparking lot from that outdoor brunch. We cut through that garden, and it started pouring down raining.”
She started smiling. “You made me kiss you in the rain like we were in a damn movie.”
She laughed and it felt like warm light cutting through days of darkness.
“You said since I got your silk press wet, I’d owe you a new one every week for a year.”
“And you did,” she said, smirking. “I went to Crowned and Covered faithfully to get Ms. Shirley to hook me up.”
“I was so in love with you.” I shrugged. “I still am.”
I moved toward her, wrapping my arms around her waist and turning her to face me.
“I gotta head out,” I said quietly. “This viewing shouldn’t be longer than an hour or two.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”
“Khlo, you knew it was on the calendar. You helped me prep the packet last night.It’s the only time this client is available.”
“I know,” she said, walking away from me. “I guess I’ll just see you when you get back.”
“You’ll see a lot when I get back,” I said looking at her. “So, I want you in nothing, waiting on me.”
She just looked at me. She didn’t smile or even looked impressed. She just said, “Okay,” like I was a commercial break in the middle of her show.
The way she brushed me off threw me off a little bit. I stood there for a second longer, waiting for her to turn around, to joke, to say something slick, or anything. I wanted to ask her what was up, but I wasn’t in the mood to argue.
So I kissed her cheek, grabbed my keys off the counter, and walked out.
The house was immaculate showing off the kind of skyline most people only dreamed of waking up to. It was one of those properties that sold itself. All I had to do was walk through the motions and smile at the right time.
“My God, Kairo… this isgorgeousssss,” the client said, dragging out the last word. “But not as gorgeous as this fit. Who tailored those pants? Because they’re doing what needs to be done.”
She laughed, then reached out and let her hand glide across my chest as she walked past me.
