My heart dropped. Tee was an integral part of my support system. She lived minutes away from us, and she was always there when I needed her. And Cali was far. “That’s good.” I tried to keep my voice upbeat. “It’s what you’ve always wanted.”
“I haven’t taken it yet.”
Frowning, I said, “What? Why wouldn’t you take it? You’ve worked so hard.”
Tee had been a realtor for years, but she’d built a pretty impressive business designing on the side. It was her passion, and I really was elated that she’d been blessed with the opportunity to take her skills to another level.
“Because.” She shrugged. “What will you do if I’m not here?”
I fought back tears, but they fell anyway. The fact that my friend was holding back on her dream for me was too much to bear. I walked away and hurried to the half bathroom near the front door. Staring at myself in the mirror, I noted the raccoon look that I wasn’t going for when I’d put on mascara and eye liner that morning.Is this really what my life has become?
“Angel?”
I glanced at Tee through the mirror. She stood, arms folded across her chest, tears in her eyes. “I’m okay,” I assured her. “Just been an emotional week. Or two.”
“Or five?”
I giggled. “Right. Seriously? Take the offer. Don’t worry about me. Me and Mehki will be just fine. That’s why we have planes.” I raised my brows. “We could come visit; help you find a place… It’ll be good for you.”
She sniffled. “I’m going to take it.Ifyou promise to do better, sis. I need you to be okay.”
Turning to face her, I smiled. “We’ll be okay.” I hugged her. “We all will.”
After a moment, I pulled away and checked out my reflection again. “What time is it?”
“Almost noon. Why?”
I gasped. “Shit!” I rushed into the living room and grabbed my purse. Then, hurried back to the bathroom.
Tee stared at me, a slack expression on her face. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Cutie Prescott will be here soon, and I look like this.” I gestured to my face.
Grinning, she tilted her head. “And?”
I fumbled in my makeup bag for my mascara. “I don’t want to look crazy when he gets here. We have business to talk about.”
“Mmmhmm.”
I raised my hands at my sides. “What?”
“I noticed the way you looked at him at that restaurant yesterday.” She raised a challenging brow. “Heisfine.”
“I told you he was fine.” After I met Cooper, I’d told Tierra about the visit. “I do call him Cutie Prescott.”
“Yeah, but I don’t even remember you ever caring about your makeup like this.”
“Of course I care.” I let out a strained giggle, as heat crept up my neck to my cheeks. “I always want to look presentable.”
“Mmmhmm,” she repeated.
“Mommie!” Mehki yelled. “Mr. Cooper’s here.”
“Okay!” I shouted. “I’ll be right there.”
I dug into my bag, cursing when I didn’t find my eyeliner. Peering into the bag, I finally located it and pulled it out. When I glanced in the mirror, Tee was still watching me with an amused smile on her face. “Stop staring and help me,” I begged.
She jumped into action, swatting my hands away and taking over the makeup duties. “Just so you know,” she said, “we’re not done talking about this. But I’m not going to let you go out like a punk.”
