The group text lit up before I made it to my car.
SIMONE
Don’t forget final suit fitting for my wedding is today. 6pm sharp.
ZION
almost forgot
TRE
You and Raschad gonna let me do the toast?
SIMONE
No.
I’ll be there. On time.
SIMONE
? ??
The driveto WadeHouse took about thirty-five minutes. I kept two places in Lennox Falls for specific reasons. My house on Belmead was home: gated, quiet, three streets from Simone and six from Zion and Taryn. My condo downtown was logistics: a ten-minute walk to WadeHouse, useful for late nights and early meetings. Women saw my condo, or a hotel. Never my house.
My assistant Glory was already at her desk when I walked in, coffee extended before I reached her.
“Good morning, Mr. Wade.” She fell into step beside me. “The artist review moved to Friday. Germany pushed back Thursday's call, they want eleven our time. Simone asked me to remind you about the suit fittings. And…” She paused just long enough to signal the next item was different. “A call came in late yesterday from Billboard. Features editor.”
I kept walking as I listened.
“They’re doing aPowerissue. They want to run a piece about WadeHouse, calling itThe Dynasty Next Door.Full scope, the family and the business. Interviews with the four of you. A photo shoot for the cover and inside spread. She asked whether to coordinate through you directly or your PR team.”
“Tell them we're honored and our team will reach out to set parameters before we confirm anything. The family storyisthe business story. We don't separate them. Set up a meeting with Zion, Tre, Simone. Bring Taryn to help lead the photo shoot.”
Glory made a note. “Yes, sir.”
I sat down at my desk, opened my laptop, and allowed myself a few seconds of satisfaction and pride at the Billboard news, then got to work for the day.
I was reviewing numbers for a mixed-use development on the outskirts of Lennox Falls I was considering investing in, when my phone lit up with a call from my Uncle Reggie.
“Unc,” I answered.
“Hey, nephew. I called to talk to you about Simone’s wedding.”
I sat back in my chair. “Mhm.”
“Your father…” he exhaled. “He's not coming.”
I didn't say anything. I wasn’t surprised.
“Says he doesn't want to cast a shadow over her day. Thinks he'd be a distraction and…” another exhale. “Says he doesn't deserve to be there.”
“Then we agree. He’s right.”
“Julian.”
“He's right, Uncle Reggie.”
