Page 12 of Smoke

“What do you think?” I asked, handing her the mirror.

She took it from me, and upon seeing her reflection, she gasped.

“Bitch, you did that! I can’t even tell I’m wearing anything!”

“Then my job is done.”

“You were worth every penny I made my husband spend on you.”

I giggled as I began gathering my things. “Thank you. I’m gonna leave you ladies to finish getting ready.”

“Wait,” Shar said, hopping out of the chair. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“You single?”

“I am… Why?”

The girl she introduced to me as Mia rolled her eyes. “Here she goes. Girl, she’s about to try to hook you up with one of my bigheaded ass brothers.”

Shar rolled her eyes. “I mean, she would be cute with either one.”

The other girl she introduced as Jaeda shook her head. “Please don’t let her pimp you out,” she said to me.

“I um… I can’t really date anybody right now,” I said quietly.

Shar raised an eyebrow. “Why not? You’re single and pretty as hell.”

“I’m pregnant.”

The room fell quiet. They all seemed to be looking for some sign of a belly on me. I pulled the scrunched part of my dress aside and cupped my hands around my stomach.

“Awwww!” Shar cooed. “You have a cute little bump. How did we not notice this during our appointments? Congratulations, girl.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Just know when you drop that load and you’re still single, I got you on one of my brothers-in-law. Y’all, wouldn’t she look cute with Smoke?”

“He and I have actually met already,” I admitted.

They all looked at me with raised eyebrows. That was when it hit me.

“Oh no! Not like that! This isn’t his baby.”

Shar blew a breath of relief. “I was about to say! This would be a hell of a way to tell the family.”

“I promise, I’m a client, and that’s all I am. Besides, I’m sure Devin wouldn’t be interested in me, my other kid, and my baggage, even if I weren’t pregnant.”

Mia laughed. “Girl, if you knew my family, you wouldn’t say that. We come with baggage too.”

“Some of us couldchooseto let our baggage go,” Jaeda mumbled.

Mia shot her a look that made her smirk.

“I’m good, I promise,” I assured them. “I’m gonna get out of your hair. Sharina, I know you are going to look flawless completely put together. I hope today is everything you wanted and more.”

She smiled. “Thank you, boo.”

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