Page 42 of Mahogany 2
“I’ve been pretty good. I saw the article on Skylight Industries the other day. You’re working on the hotel. Finally, huh?”
Awkwardly, I smiled. For a brief moment, I wondered if I should have told her about the start of construction since it was dedicated to Nova. Things weren’t dead silent between us after Nova died. We tried to be normal. Tried to exist in the same space without the tension in the air suffocating us. I talked about the hotel with her. Told her I wanted to create something in remembrance of our daughter. She came up with the hotel idea—I came up with the name. It was a joint idea. I probably should have mentioned it but shit it took me a minute to even move on it; I didn’t want to talk to Reign. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have been talking to her now.
“Yeah,” I said, before clearing my throat. “Took a minute to find a location.”
That was partially true. It only took me a minute because it was difficult to start something like that. Even harder to get the right team in place. I needed the best and I needed someone with specifics. I didn’t decide on Mahogany just because she was the top decorator in the region—I decided on her because she was a mother. It was business, yes, but for me it was very, very personal.
“Ah, I bet,” she said. “Luna! You are wearing that dress, sis. I love it.”
Sis. Luna always had been sis, Orion bro, and my parents moms and pops too. I wondered if that would ever change. Wondered if it ever needed to change. From a standpoint of pain, I’d say yes. From the other angle, I’d say no. Her bondwith my people didn’t break just because ours did. To my family, Reign would always be family. We were together for six years. They loved the fuck out of her. Had compassion and understanding for the situation that I couldn’t.
Instead of standing there any longer, I flicked my wrist to check the time and walked off. I could feel Reign’s eyes on me as I did but refused to look over at her. It was uncomfortable for me, looking at her. Noticing the subtle changes in her appearance due to aging reminded me too much of how much time had passed.
Crazy how I was worried about shit going left with family just to be hit with a curveball. Sitting at the bar, I ran my hand down the back of my neck, waiting for the bartender. I needed a double shot, for sure.
10
MAHOGANY
I flippedmy sun visor down to check my make up, preparing to get out of the car to head up to the restaurant to meet with Em for lunch. Once I was satisfied with the way I looked, I got out. As soon as I did, a cool breeze brushed against my face, and I smiled. If it weren’t for Tami convincing me to leave for lunch, I would have been cooped up in the office, depriving myself of a beautiful day. The hustle and bustle of Downtown Detroit was exciting. The birds were chirping, and the sun was high in the sky. It was the perfect day for a brunch date with my girl. It’d been so long since we caught up.
We walked up to the restaurant at the same time and immediately embraced each other, rocking back and forth. She missed me as much as I missed her. I didn’t use the best friend term loosely—in fact, I didn’t use it at all but if I had to call anyone my best friend, it would be Emerald. She knew all of my business and sometimes, if I let her be, she was a safe space.
“Hey bitch, you look cute!” Emerald said.
Pulling away from the hug, I sized her up. “Me? You! Ain’t never met a bitch who could rock all white like you.”
She adjusted her Cartier frames and made a cocky face. “Imeeean.”
We shared a laugh and headed into the restaurant.
“What’s been going on? It’s been how long since we sat down for lunch?” She asked, shaking her head. “Ain’t heard from you or nothing.”
“Girl,” I said with a sigh. “Life’s been lifing. Like a muthafucka.”
“Same, girl same,” she said as we were escorted to our seats.
“Your waitress will be with you shortly,” said the hostess before walking off.
“You won’t believe who my newest client is,” I said with a smile, getting right to it.
“Who?” She asked, sitting her bag on the table as we sat. “Kash? If so, slide her an invitation?—
I laughed and said, “Girl no. What the fuck?”
Her ass was always trying to plug somebody to that freaky ass club.
She shrugged her right shoulder. “I’m just saying. Who then?”
With a smirk, I said, “Armani suit.”
She drew back, confused. “Armani suit? Who in thehellis Armani suit?”
Tilting my head to the side, I twisted my lips up. “The guy from my first night. The one I talked about for months.” Pausing, I mumbled, “Hell… years.”
“Oh!Armani suit,” she said with wide eyes. “You lying! How long has it been? Eight damn years?”
I sucked my teeth. “No, bitch… five. And nope. Not lying. I’ve been working with him for about three weeks now.”
