Not wanting to be bothered, I started up the stairs.
“You sure you don’t wanna roll with me? I can’t remember the last time you took a work trip with me and you love Dallas.”
“Why would I be out in public with you willingly? The whole damn world just saw you and Serenity all over each other not too long ago. You should ask if she wants to go.”
Keeping my cool around Allen was getting harder by the day. The more I thought about the fact that I was stuck, the more I resented him. On the other hand, knowing he continued to be an ain’t shit nigga was more motivation for me to leave. When I didn’t hear a response after a few seconds, I continued upstairs. I slid my shoes and clothes off before changing into a lounge set. Since I was going out in a few hours, I couldn’t get as comfortable as I wanted. Reading was my preferred pastime, soI opened my Kindle app and climbed into bed. Just in case I fell asleep, I set an alarm to wake me up at six-fifteen.
I was unsure how much time had gone by when I heard the bedroom door open. My lids popped open from my half asleep state and my mood switched. There was no need for Allen to let me know he was leaving. He could’ve shot me a text and I would’ve been okay.
“You woke, baby?”
“My name is Celeste. You need something?”
“Actually, I do. I need you to calm that nasty ass attitude down. A nigga fuck up one time and it’s the end of the world.”
“One time? Allen, please get out my face with those bold ass lies. There’s no way in the hell you think I believe that. You may have stopped messing with ol’ girl for a while, but I always knew you went back. Seeing the pictures from the club did nothing but confirm I knew what I was feeling.”
“So why you still here? You so fuckin’ big and bad and don’t fuck with me, why don’t you leave?”
“I tried, remember? You’re holding my store over my head. All you have to do is let me pay you back for Luxe Addiction and we can go our separate ways. We both can be happy,” I vented.
A sarcastic smile spread across his face and I mentally exited the conversation. I felt a slight headache coming on and that was the last thing I needed. He’d be gone soon enough.
“I keep tellin’ you that shit isn’t happening. You were happy with me before and I’m gon’ get us back to that point. I just came to tell you my car is here. I’ll call you when I land and check on you throughout the week. I’ll be in the studio a few late nights, but I’ll keep you updated.”
Please don’t.
“Have a safe trip,” I said before pulling the comforter up to my neck.
“I love you, Celeste.”
“Mmmhmm.”
Had his phone not gone off with a call from the driver, I was sure Allen would’ve given me an earful. I was thankful for the distraction because I had no plans of speaking to him until he returned next Sunday. Depending on how I felt, I’d respond to a text or two, just to let him know I was alive. Other than that, I planned to act like his ass didn’t exist. Finally, he left the room. Moments later I heard the slam of the front door. I exhaled a breath of relief before turning my attention back to my Kindle. Now that Allen was gone, I felt free and at ease.
Unfastening my seat belt, I tightened my grip on my purse as I prepared to get out of the U-ride. STK was in the heart of downtown Gwendal. It was busy as hell, like any other time of day. People coming and going to surrounding establishments made the nightlife feel alive. Earlier, I hadn’t been feeling the outing. Now that I was here, I planned to have a few drinks and eat good while having a good time with my girls. After thanking the driver, I hopped out of the truck and walked toward the entrance of the restaurant. The bass from the loud music could be heard all the way from the street and made me that much more excited to go inside.
STK was a trendy casual restaurant, but most people showed up in their Sunday best. Although that was the case, the DJ and overall feel made the place livelier. As soon as I went to check in with one of the hosts, I spotted Jade and Marshae standing just a few feet away.
“Happy birthday, boo. You look so good,” I said to Marshae as I looked her over.
She was dressed in a black, long-sleeved, off the shoulder baby tee and low-rise black jeans that showed off her curves. I damn near went speechless when I saw her heels, the first shoe I’d designed and sold at the Luxe Addiction storefront. The glossy, four and a half inch heel was something I’d designed specifically after finding it hard to come across comfortable heels. The ones Marshae wore were a bestseller. They were rounded, open toed heels with a small lock hanging from the buckle. A woman could walk around in them for hours since the foam was denser and the insoles were padded. Anytime I wore heels, it was more than likely a pair I’d personally designed.
“Not you wearing my shoes on your birthday.”
“Girl, please. These heels changed the game for me. I don’t have to take a break because my feet hurt or nothing. I’ll pay you a hundred and fifty any day for comfort. I spent so much money on Red Bottoms in the past that it makes no sense. Thousands of dollars spent and most of them kill my feet,” she responded.
“I’m just honored you’re wearing them. Makes me feel good,” I said as I playfully batted my lashes.
“When will you be releasing new styles? I have all the ones from this year.”
“I’ll start working on new sketches in the next couple of months. I want them to be sampled and available by next spring or summer.”
Since I was in the fashion industry, it was important to me that I always stayed a season ahead. That way, I could make sure the product was manufactured correctly and have time for a proper campaign roll out. Coordinating photoshoots and finding several different models wasn’t an easy task. Especially since I was a one-woman band.
“Well, just know I’ll be the first one at Luxe Addiction the day they drop. I’ll be bringing my man too. He can pay for all of it,” she said, making us all laugh.
“Jade, you look good too. You’re a little more naked than I expected.”
