Page 36

His response took me by surprise. As highly as he talked about Rah. Was this nigga asking me out?

“Are you flirting with me?”

“Nah, just saying you pay me with lunch or dinner. Nothing personal. Just friends.”

“Can I get back to you on that?”

Jaharee was pulling up as we stood at the door. She was early, but I was glad she had pulled up.

“Yeah, you can get back to me on that.”

“Hey, Lloyd,” Jaharee said. “What you doing here?”

“Hey, Jah. Just letting Kyenna sign the paperwork for one of the commercial properties she sold.”

“Oh, okay. It was good seeing you.”

“Same,” he said. “Kyenna, I’ll talk with you later.”

“Yeah,” I said, letting Jaharee in the house.

As soon as I closed the door, Jaharee took in my appearance.

“Why the fuck are you not dressed?”

“Heifer, you said noon. It’s a little after eleven.”

“I don’t want to get caught in traffic. So, go get dressed and don’t put on no plain Jane shit. Match my energy,” she said.

“When have I ever stepped out the house plain Jane?”

“You’re right.” Jah laughed.

An hour later, we were in Jaharee’s car jamming to Monaleo. It had been almost two months since I was able to smile, let alone hang with my girl and have a good time. I felt guilty for trying to move on with my life. To me, I thought everyone was watching me and waiting to judge me if I smiled too hard or held a conversation too long. The employees at Royal Flush were the only ones that could slightly get a smile out of me. That was because I didn’t want them to think I was a bitch.

Our first stop was to get our hair done. We had frequented the same salon since I was a part of the King family. We had our own hairstylist who shut down her schedule for a few hours to do our hair. I didn’t mind being in the salon with anyone else, but Jaharee liked her privacy. While Jaharee got her hair done, I was placed under the dryer. I spent this time going through my emails and text messages. So far today, there were no major issues going on at Flush, and I was able to relax my shoulders. Next, we went to get our feet and nails done.

“Jaharee, I really needed this. It seems like forever since I’ve taken care of myself.”

“That’s exactly why I dragged yo’ ass out the house. Them nails were so crusty and busted. You know damn well Rahmelo would’ve cussed you out about looking thrown away.”

“Now wait a minute. I wasn’t looking thrown away. I just hadn’t had any maintenance done since his death. It’s not easy to just move on.”

Jaharee looked over at me. “You don’t think I know that? I’m the baby that both my brothers spoil. It has not been easy for me either, but Rah would not want you waiting around like he’s coming home. You still need to live, Kyenna. There is nothing wrong with getting out of the house and doing the things that you loved to do when he was still living. You had maintenance done weekly.”

“That is so easy for y’all to say. Do you see how you looked at me when you saw Lloyd standing outside my door? Those are the type of looks that make me feel guilty for even talking to people. I feel like everyone is watching to see my next move.”

“Girl, Lloyd.” She laughed. “That is a downgrade from my brother. I was not judging you. I just hadn’t seen Lloyd in forever. He’s been a part of our family for a while. Rah is who introduced him to us. Kyenna, I’m not going to ever judge you. You were more loyal to Rah than he was to you.”

I looked at her like she knew something I didn’t know.

“I’m meaning Ryleigh, Kyenna.”

“Oh, I was about to say.”

“We all gave that nigga hell about you. He knew he fucked up messing with Raya. We had all cut his ass off about you. So, as far as you and our family, we locked in. Live again, Kyenna.”

“Sounds easier than it really is.”