Page 37 of Not About That Life
“Anytime, sissy.” Adrienne finally turns to me. “What’s going on, Sister? You’re getting pretty emotional and moody yourself.”
“Planning a wedding and realizing mom isn’t here,” I swallow the lump in my throat. “It’s a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.”
“It does suck,” Adrienne nods. “I shed a lot of tears when I was planning mine. Every fabric swatch, every floral sample, every cake tasting was a reminder that someone I wanted to be there wasn’t going to be.” She pauses briefly. “You and Ian have that in common. I also imagine he’s feeling emotional because there are similar feelings. He’s about to embark on a very huge and personal change and Lula Jean isn’t here to guide him and give him advice.”
Point taken. I didn’t realize how much the upcoming wedding would have impacted Ian as well.
“Is everything okay between you two?” Adrienne asks. “This doesn’t sound like it’s just the wedding you’re concerned about.”
“Ian’s taking me skiing,” I sigh.
Adrienne snorts. “You? Skiing?” Even Adrienne knows this is will be the whitest thing I’ve ever done. “Since when?”
“Since I decided that getting with a white billionaire was a good idea,” I slightly shrug, “so there’s that. I need to go shopping for French Alps-appropriate ski outfits.”
“Well, I have nothing better to do all day than to laugh at you so I’m down for the ride,” she responds and I shoot her an evil look, “What? You don’t think this is hilarious?”
“What in the hell am I going to do on a mountain?” I faux cry before a chuckle escapes my lips. This is pretty funny. I don’t even know how to roller skate and I’m going skiing? “Since when have youevercaught a brotha or a sista on a slope? That’s stuff white people like!” I pull up the website with the same name. “It even says it here!”
“Well, it makes sense.” Adrienne nods. “You introduced him to soul food and trap music; he’s going to introduce you to Martha’s Vineyard, John Mayer, and trips to Portland. I say you’re even. You’ll be quotingFriendsepisodes and havingMad Menparties in no time!”
“Fuck you,” I laugh as we turn the corner and run straight into Michael. “Hey!” I give him a big hug and he reciprocates.
“Adrienne and Dominique! Two of my favorite people in the world!” Michael’s dressed in tweed pants with a crisp white shirt. He screams money. “How are you ladies doing?”
“We’re doing well!” Adrienne beams. “Just picking out some gaudy décor for Ian’s lovely home.”
“And what a better place to do it in!” Michael smiles. “Oh, Domi, I’ve been meaning to call you. A certain someone has been inquiring about you.”
“Oh?” I turn to Adrienne. “Who?”
“A certain someone named Kwesi.” Michael blinks. “Me thinks he’s interested in you.”
“Kwesi knows I’m engaged.” I reply, though my cheeks are burning hot. “Besides, I don’t even know his last name.”
“Kwesi Agbo,” Michael explains to me. The look on my face told him I had no idea who the hell that was so he clarifies, “one of the sons of the world-famous Ghanaian Agbo dynasty. His mother is Queen Esi.”
“Okay…” I slowly speak. Channeling my inner Mariah Carey, I don’t know her.
“They’re one of the last royalty families in Ghana. They’re worth billions.” Michael begins, “Kwesi always comes in to purchase jewelry for his mother.”
A man who loves his mother always has a small spot in my heart. “How lovely,” I reply.
“He’s also single,” Michael bats his eyelashes.
“She’s also engaged,” Adrienne reminds him.
“It’s funny how the heart might want something completely different than what the brain says it should?” Michael nonchalantly replies.
“Domi is engaged to one of the world’s wealthiest men, sis,” Adrienne reminds Michael, who shrugs, “she already has a billionaire.”
“But is she with a billionaire her age?” Michael points out. “Kwesi is 25, I believe.”
“He is?” My voice is a couple octaves higher than normal and I quickly correct it. “I mean, hey, that’s cool.”
“Ian has been good to her and why the hell are you trying to be a messy bitch and convince Domi otherwise?” Adrienne asks. “Isn’t Ian Frank’s boss?”
“I saw the way she acted around Kwesi.” Michael holds his ground. “The giggles, the bitten lips, and the sporadic breathing. Shit, I thought the bitch was about to orgasm in the damn store and I don’t have any more towels to clean up that mess.”
“Okay, fuck, you do know I’m still here, right?” I chime in and stand up for myself. Damn, that BDSM shit paid off in other ways.
“I’m just saying if things don’t work out between you and Ian, there’s another rich guy who wouldn’t mind having you on his arm.” Michael leans over and kisses both cheeks and does the same to Adrienne, though her look is less than enthused. “I’ll see you ladies, later.”
Adrienne watches Michael walk off and waits until he’s out of earshot. “Whatever you do, don’t listen to him, no matter how tempted you are. He will cause more bad than good and you don’t need that kind of shit in your life.”
Whatever advice your sister gives to you, listen. It may sound like horrible shit advice but she has your own best interest at heart.“Duly noted.”
