Page 105 of Deeper

“Really?” I questioned her meal for the evening.

Tori shrugged. “You were at work, couldn’t decide on takeout, and going out with H. would require talking to him. So, alas, we have broccoli.”

I didn’t judge my friend as I sank down beside her and she continued to eat from the bag.

“You decide about the dinner yet?” she asked.

“I’m going to go, not because of Jolie, but because I want to support Zander in his moment,” I decided.

While we’d FaceTimed Friday night, I hadn’t mentioned my decision to join him. I wanted to surprise him when he was back in town. It was Sunday the fifth, six days before the big event.

Victoria paused her episode and faced me, appearing serious. “What are you going to wear, hair and clothing wise?”

That was going to be the big part of the struggle of going. I couldn’t afford designer, but the aspiring designer in me knew a thing or two about style, and I was sure whatever I could pull together, be it from Angles or the mall, I could make work. Zander had paid our rent, leaving a little extra money to splurge on.

“First I have to see what he’s wearing,” I said. “I figured we’d match. I’m not going because of Jolie, but best believe I want to rub it in her face and come to show out.”

Victoria made a face as she raised her hand for me to high-five. “Yes!”

A sick smile washed across my face. It wasn’t a competition, because I already had Zander, but I did want to show off how good we looked together. “Can you do my makeup?”

Victoria snorted and sized me up. “As if you had a choice otherwise.”

Tori was the quintessential girl’s-girl, the paradigm of all things feminine. She lived for makeup, nails, hair, and clothing. In a lot of ways, I was her living, breathing doll, as she often would call me up to try new looks on me. I always told her she should start a YouTube channel as a side hustle outside of her makeup gig, because she was that good.

“I think you should wear your natural hair, like a blunt look, you know? Or maybe a few bundles for fullness, but cut short. Don’t worry, I got you, girl, we gon’ take the spotlight away from Zander.”

All eyes on me, I quipped to myself.

“Chill” started playing and I gathered my phone to answer Zander’s call. “Hey.”

“Hey, you busy?” Zander asked.

“No, I’m just settling down. What’s up?”

“I just got back in. You wanna come through?”

Already? He hadn’t been sure how long he’d be in New York, but after being gone for over a week, I was almost counting on it being nearly two. “You just flew in? Why didn’t you tell me? I wanted to take you out for dinner.”

Zander chuckled. “Aww, let’s rain check that. Right now I’m just stopping off at the house to drop off my luggage, and then I’m heading to the studio to record. I’d like you to come with me. I want to show you my world.”

He was still in work mode, but the fact that he wanted to include me, to show me his process, made me feel special.

“I’ll be right there,” I told him.

We hung up and I paused, looking down at my T-shirt and shorts. First, I had to change and figure out what to wear. I hurried back into my room and sifted through my closet before finding and settling on a floral print spaghetti-stringed dress. It hugged my curves and was the perfect summer dress. It was short, offered cleavage, and its navy-blue background complemented my brown skin. I was practically glowing after my shower and moisturizing.

I slipped the dress on and brought a choker around my neck for added touch. Makeup was a usual must, but with it being late and Zander being all about business, I decided against it.

“Hey, that was Zander. He just flew back into town. I’m going to see him for a little bit, okay?” I said as I walked back out to the living room and let Victoria know I was leaving.

Victoria put her broccoli to the side as she leaned back to get a look at me. “First of all, yasss, second of all, don’t hurt him now.”

I twirled in a circle, making the skirt of the dress sway. “You like?”

“Ilove.” Victoria gathered her broccoli. “And that’s why I’m eating broccoli, so I can keep up with you.”

“Stop.” I loved being friends with Victoria, the equal benefit of gassing each other up never stopped. “I work tomorrow so I should be back; if not, I’ll text you and let you know.”

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