“Sounds like a good start to a coerced marriage.”
“Voluntold,” she counters.
I shrug. “Same thing.”
“After I turned thirty, I wrote in my journal that I wanted to get married by forty and see the world. Just a little adventure.” She laughs to herself.
“You have it with more girth. Come on.” I swat her butt. “You need to pick up your friend and disturb the peace.”
Chapter 35
Is Somebody's Son on My Forehead?
Bianca
“My Shayla!” Stephanie whines at my eighteenth hug since picking her up.
Sicily is ready to toss us out. We haven’t stopped hugging and squealing since she came out of the airport yelling, “Bitch!” Security wanted to haul me away because I let the bass rock with “Down for My N’s.” My friend deserved an entrance and got one.
“I missed you,” I pout. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to the house to rest?”
She flicks her bangles. “I slept on the flights and have a month and a half to give my bed some head. I wouldn’t mind using that fine man who picked us up as a pillowcase. That’s Sally’s cousin?”
“Best friend and business partner,” I laugh, shifting us away from a small group on the sidewalk.
Catania’s central district is hot and busy. Benny gave the okay for me to come with Steph “alone,” provided security follows and I stay in areas accessible to the drones he taught me to use. We’re shopping, not carrying out a military strike.
“Andrea already dealt with the four bags you brought. Give the man a break,” I say.
“I’m trying to give him some pussy.” She tips her glasses toward the bridge of her nose. “Is he single?”
I snort. “Very friendly.”
“My kitty doesn’t mind a meeting with his welcoming committee. Shit, maybe I’ll fall in love and stay here too.”
We cackle and link arms.
“You look happy, B.”
“I am.” I smile. “I like him.”
Stephanie bumps my hip with her sundress. “You are glowing in this Sicilian sun, and not because of the weather.”
“It’s too early for love. I’m not sure it could grow into that because our circumstances are wild.” I sigh. “That’s not how love happens.”
“And you know from all the dating you didn’t do, giving everything but your ass to that awful job.”
I suck my teeth and roll my eyes. “I was building a career!”
“In Corporate America, which historically has never given a damn about Black women. All that climbing up a ladder with missing rungs. The microaggressions and lack of equity.” Stephanie frowns. “Didn’t you get hemorrhoids?”
“Yes.” I snicker at the memory of my itchy ass. I’m glad I can laugh about it now.
She pulls me next to a building with a balcony and shade to match what she’s about to throw. “That job and that industry didn’t deserve you. I commend ladies fighting in spaces not meant for us, but it’s okay for a soft life to be your next chapter. Happiness looks good on you, B. If it’s here with the don, roll with it if you feel safe.”
I grin. “I’d be the don in this scenario.”
“See! He elevated your title. He’s a good man, Savannah.”
