Page 43 of He Snatched My Soul

We all busted out laughing this time, even my mother. We were making conversation while getting our feet done, when an older gentleman came walking onto the salon. His salt andpepper hair was cut low and lined perfectly with deep waves. I wasn’t into older men, but this man was handsome as hell.

“Hello, ladies. I hope my employees are treating you right. I’m the owner. Prin-”

“Prince Colemen?” my mother cut him off, and my head turned in her direction. How did she know this man?

“Sabrina Blackwood? Wow. It’s good to see you. How have you been, baby?”

“Baby?”I thought out loud. The way Prince was eyeing my mama with his bottom lip tucked between his teeth, had me side-eyeing her.

“Oh, I see you mama, Sabrina,” Jayla gushed and I slapped her on the arm since she was next to me. “Damn, Mod! Why did you hit me?” she loudly whispered but I ignored and continued to watch the scene in front of me.

“It’s been a long time, Sabrina,” Prince said while smiling. I looked at my mother and was shocked that she had a big-ass smile on her face as well. I haven’t seen her smile like this since… my father.

“It has.” She blushed. I cleared my throat and interrupted their little flirting session. “Oh, Prince, this is my daughter, Modesty, my added daughter, Jayla, and you remember my mother, Netta.”

“It’s nice to meet you ladies,” he said to me and Jayla, then spoke to my grandmother. “Ms. Netta, it’s nice to see you again.”

“How’s thewife?” Grandma skipped over his question, and Prince chuckled.

“I wouldn’t know. We’ve been divorced for three years.”

“In that case, it’s good to see you, too.” She pursed her lips.

“So, Prince, when did you get back in town?” my mother probed.

“I just moved back a few months ago to open this shop. After my divorce, I figured why not come back home. I’m glad Idid. Maybe we can get together sometime.” I watched as Prince smoothly pulled a card from his breast pocket and handed it to my mother. “Here’s my number. Call me, and we can set something up. I would love to play catch-up with you. Enjoy the rest of your day, ladies.”

With that, Prince swaggered to the back of the shop, leaving my mouth hanging open. When and how did my mother know this fine specimen? I needed to know.

“Mama, who was that?”

“I would like to know too because he is fine. Maybe you could hook me up with his son if he has one, because babyyyy! If Prince is that fine, imagine his son,” Jayla stated.

“Prince, your father, and I all grew up together. Back then, Prince and I were an item. He was a bad boy. Always getting into trouble. So, we broke up because your grandparents didn’t approve of our relationship. Then I realized that my friend was my true soulmate anyways. I fell in love with your dad.” She smiled.

“Mom, you know no one will judge you if you go out with Prince, right?” She was shaking her head before I was done talking.

“No, sweetheart. I’m not ready for that.”

“I won’t push you, but would you please consider it?”

“I’ll think about it, baby.” She reached over and squeezed my hand.

I wanted to push the issue, but I left it alone. I wished my mom would consider at least calling Prince; he seems like a nice man. He was openly smitten with my mother, and she was too. I could see it in her eyes that she was feeling Prince.

After getting pedicures, it didn’t take long before we were seated with a nail tech for our manicures. I decided to go with white to match my toes. As the tech painted my nails, I thought back to the night in the backyard of the villa in Jamaica whenJamian had painted my toes. Just the thought of him made me smile.

“Hey, girl. I love your braids,” I heard a female voice say from beside me. I looked over to see who it was and to see if I knew her, but I didn’t.

“Thank you,” I said politely.

“Welcome. I love the boho braids. I was thinking of getting them. I’m just scared that they won’t look good on me, so I decided against it. Oh! I see you getting white as well. I don’t really like the color on my nails, but my man likes it.”

“I hear you, girl. The things us women do to please our man.” We shared a laugh.

“You got that right.” Her smile was big.

“Are you from around here? I hear an accent.” I couldn’t help but notice how pretty she was. She looked to be mixed with something. With her chocolate complexion and long curly hair, along with her slim, thick frame, she could pass for a model.

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