Page 113 of Jaeda

“How much did that run you?” Renay asked.

“Renay!” Romi scolded. “That’s too nosy, sis.”

“What! He can’t come in here flaunting that beauty and not expect that question.” She looked to me for confirmation of her question.

“It was a pretty penny,” I said. “Worth the hefty price tag.”

Shar fanned her face. “I know my girl is going to be a mess. I can’t believe she’s getting married!”

I chuckled. “I need her to say yes first.”

“Oh, she’ll say yes. I guarantee that. Don’t worry. We are going to make her even more beautiful for this. Just wait!”

I smiled. Jaeda once told me that her brothers gave her, her best friends. She referred to them as her sisters, and from being around them, I could see why. They were the perfect people to help me pull this off. Now that I had the ring, the blessing, and a team, it was time to get to work.

Imoaned as my stylist, Nykia, massaged the shampoo into my scalp. I needed this so bad. We’d seemed to have an influx of cases the last couple of weeks, and I was always busy. My self-care days had been few and far between. I just spent all day at my computer. All I wanted to do was shower and lie my ass down.

When my sisters told me they were planning a girls’ day, I immediately jumped right on it. They probably needed it more than I did since most of them were mothers, but I was happy to tag along.

Nykia giggled. “Feels good?”

“It feels amazing. I so needed this.”

“Ithasbeen a while since I’ve seen you.”

“I promise, it won’t be this long again.”

She finished washing and conditioning me, then proceeded to blow dry my hair so she could trim it. While she worked, I checked in on my mama and Emelie, before texting my man.He was out of town this weekend, meeting with a huge potential client, and I missed him something serious.

“Now I see what has you glowing like this,” Nykia said over my shoulder.

“Huh?”

“Huh?” she mocked. “That fine ass man on your lock screen. That’s your boo?”

“Yes. His name is Quaid.”

“I see you, girl. I ain’t mad at you. Shit, I’d be tucked away too.”

I laughed because Quaid and I really were in our own little bubble. We spent so much quality time together. Even if we were just chilling in the house. I felt complete just being in his presence. He brought me out of my shell and gave me a boost of confidence in myself.

Everybody saw and commented on that. Even my brothers liked him, which I was grateful for. They’d welcomed him into the fold but never missed an opportunity to tease him. It was funny until he teased them back, then they started play fighting like big ass kids. It was . . . sweet.

“Um, girl, can you get outta that damn phone,” Mia said. “This is supposed to be togetherness. You can talk to Quaid later.”

“You’re in my business.”

“We’re your business today, boo. Hand it over.”

She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers.

“Girl, go to hell. I miss my man, and I can talk to him if I want.”

“Aht, aht!” Shar said. “If we can go without ours for a few hours, so can you. This is a girls’ day, love. No men allowed.”

I rolled my eyes as I put the phone back in my purse. “Happy?”

“I’m gonna ignore the little attitude. We have nails and feet after this. Then some shopping! My man gave me his black card, so I’m balling out!”

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