Page 59 of My Only

“I’m obsessed with yours,” I replied, smiling up at her perfectly shaped blowout. “It is sparkling under these lights.”

“But your shape?” she said, gesturing at my head. “It’s the perfect heart and frames your face beautifully. Has anyone ever told you that you look like a young Lauryn Hill? Lighter, of course. But just like her.”

“It was the first thing I noticed when we met as teenagers,” Hassani said, walking up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. “That’s why I call her A. Boogie.”

Calese pressed a hand to her chest. “That is too cute.” She wrapped an arm around Levi’s biceps when he came to stand closer. “Levi calls me Cali.” Her deep brown skin glowed, as if she were blushing as she looked up at him. “I love it. It’s always the cutesy nicknames for me.”

I giggled.

“Anyway,” Levi said, chuckling. “We’re about to head out.” He extended his hand to Hassani for a dap, and Hassani obliged. “Monday morning is when all the fun begins, huh?”

“That’s right,” Hassani confirmed. “The planning and design phase starts to ensure the first phase of homes and businesses is ready.”

“Aight, aight.” Levi rubbed his hands together. “Can’t wait.”

Calese turned to me and stepped closer. “Girl, I don’t know what they’re talking about, but it was so good to meet you.”

I laughed as she took my hand, and I squeezed hers gently.

“It was great meeting you too, Calese,” I replied. “I hope to see you again.”

“And you will.” She winked. “Nice meeting you, Hassani.”

“Likewise,” Hassani replied with a smile.

“Great meeting you too, Levi,” I added.

“An absolute pleasure meeting you, Ayla.” He smiled at me before focusing on Hassani. “Behind every great man, right?”

“Oh, you already know.” Hassani chuckled. “Y’all get home safely.”

The Westons were making their way to the exit when I turned to Hassani.

“Should we be getting ready to go too, or?—”

“There you are,” a light and airy voice said behind us.

I turned just in time to see a slim, statuesque woman strutting toward us, her bright, sparkling smile visible from across the gallery.

“I don’t know why we keep missing each other, Hass.”

I peeked up at my husband, catching the small smile he sent her way before wrapping an arm around me.

I locked eyes with him. “You know her?”

“Uh, yeah,” he replied. “This is?—”

“Harper Royce,” she said, extending her hand toward me.

She was… stunning.

Warm brown skin, shoulder-length wavy hair—thick, full-bodied, not quite curly but not straight either. Sharp, dark brown eyes. Tall. Almost too close in height to Hassani.

I forced my hand up to take hers. “Nice to meet you.”

She was dressed the way I thought I should have been tonight. A high-end designer suit, tailored to fit her slim waist and hips like a glove. Gold hoop earrings and bangles sparkled under the overhead lights.

No need to be fancy, my ass.

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