Chapter 5
FIVE
Karsyn
With the fabric flush against Patience’s skin, I stared at each curve, attempting to make sure it fit perfectly, not too loose or too tight.
It needed to be flawless as she was wearing it to a gala for her animal sanctuary where there would be a lot of money in the building and bitches who probably also needed a dress or two made.
“So, you took that call and you’ve been all smiles since.” Patience’s blue eyes bore into mine when I looked up at her.
I laughed. “You’re so nosy.”
“Not even. I’m a concerned friend who realizes her friend went from moping to smiling and prancing. Am I to believe that it wasn’t him who called you?”
The smile on my face was so wide I felt like my cheekbones were about to fall off. Ever since our conversation in the kitchen, I had been on somewhat of a cloud. Posydiann didn’t say things he didn’t mean. Shit, he didn’t say much of anything, but what he said was bond.
“Yes, it was him,” I responded, pinning the material around her waist.
“Interesting. I thought you said you were done with him.”
“I was.”
She pursed her lips, knowing I was lying or overexaggerating my finishedness.
“Well fuck it; I tried to be. Like I really gave it effort for all the reasons I’ve already stressed to you, but then we talked.”
“And what did he say to make your Taurus ass change your mind?”
I grinned, then gave her the rundown of mine and Posydiann’s conversation. I guess the conversation won her over as well, because by the end of my recounting, she had a big dumb smile on her face.
“See, you said that man doesn’t talk, but look at it. He talked when it was necessary and reminded you that you do enough for both of you.”
“Shut up.”
She threw her hands up in surrender. “I didn’t even say anything.
However, what I will say is you tell me you don’t love him, but from the look in your eyes, I can tell you do.
And when you love someone, you’re patient with them, no matter what your star sign is.
You’re not ready to admit it, and I swear I get it, but just think about it. How does he make you feel?”
“Like he sees me. Like no matter what I’m doing or saying, he actually sees me.”
“And that’s all that fucking matters. Don’t overthink yourself out of a man who sees you. A lot of these niggas just be seeing the idea of a woman.”
I nodded. Every word from her lips resonated because something about that latest conversation with Psy put things into perspective for me. I wanted to be with him and had every intention of doing so as long as he was game. Just like he said I belong to him, he too belonged to me.
“But on another note, this color is so pretty! I’m grateful to have a friend with talent. Because what the hell would I be doing if I didn’t? Three kids later and this man is still trying to get another kid out of me. Pretty soon I’m going to be calling you to loosen all my dresses.”
A chuckle escaped my lips. “Stop fronting like you’re gonna deny him.”
“Shit I am. I told him two, and now we’re at three.”
“On a technicality, P.” I giggled.
“Girl, fuck you. As a matter of fact, do you want kids?” she asked, just as the door opened behind us.
“I think I do, but I have time.”
“I got you. Let me know when you’re free and I’m going to drop the twins off at your place. Show you something.”
I giggled. “Okay.”
“Owee, Mommy, pretty.” Honey’s little toddler voice announced her presence in the room.
When I looked up, she was standing in front of her uncle with her hands on her cheeks. She was so damn cute with her mother’s blue eyes and her father’s features.
“What’s up, Karsyn? What’s up, Sis?” Otto greeted, walking over and taking a seat on the sofa, engrossed in his phone.
“I want dress too, Kars.” She ran over to me with a big smile on her face. “Princess dress.” Ever since I made her dress for their family pictures, lil mama saw me as the dress lady and she loved a good dress up moment.
“You don’t need another dress, Honey.” Patience spoke and immediately Honey pouted.
“Unktoo. I want a princess dress.” She ran over to him so fast.
Patience rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, because just like I did, she also knew how this moment was going to end.
He looked up from his phone at his niece then from her mother to me. “How much, Kars?” he asked immediately.
I glanced over at Patience who was mugging the shit out of Otto. “Really?”
He simply shrugged. “Hell yeah, you know that’s my lil baby. I exist as an uncle to tell her yes when you and her father tell her no. Invoice me for the dress, Karsyn.”
Patience rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You heard him. One third of the trinity is to blame for her acting like she does.”
I cackled. “But don’t you spoil her as well?”
“Not like her uncle, her father, and her grandparents.”
Otto laughed. “I ain’t gonna deny that. That’s my baby. I own it.”
“Yes, and you agreed to keep owning it. So, when she’s seventeen and asks you for some extravagant ass car or hands you a crazy long Christmas list, you got it, Unc.”
“Damn sure do. Long as there ain’t no lil niggas getting in it.”
I chuckled.
I spent a little longer talking to them and going over Patience’s dress.
I even did a quick sketch of the princess dress Honey asked for before I packed up to leave.
I was headed to check on Kolton, seeing as how the last few days I had been in my head and he worked so damn much.
Kolton wasn’t an average heir to a crime family, shit nowhere near.
He didn’t like things handed to him; he wanted to earn it, which was why my grandfather had willed his portion of our family to him over my father.
But somehow Charles fought it and won, claiming that being the son of Otis Curr, he was in line of succession instead.
Long story short, Charles had to die for my brother to even touch his inheritance and take over our family.
Problem was, not only had Charles ousted him, he also wouldn’t fucking die.
He fucked and sucked enough young bitches that he should’ve either caught something or maybe the little blue pills he kept in his pocket would’ve taken him out.
I probably sounded cold, because Charles was my father after all, but he didn’t act like it.
Never had. He didn’t treat us as his children, but instead tolerated us and my mother.
We were business propositions, a means to an end from the moment we were born.
Charles Curr only cared about Charles Curr.
The ride from Patience and Hondo’s estate was about thirty minutes from my brother’s bar.
It was inside the city, a ways from my place.
That was good because right after I saw my brother I was headed to the house to cook.
Instead of waiting for Posydiann to come to me, I was going to him.
To myself, I admitted I missed him and being at his residence, while to any and everybody else I’d continue to play coy.
Deep down I was simply obsessed with the man and I knew it.
Denial ran deep so I would never say it aloud.
Speaking of Posydiann, when I pulled up to my brother’s lounge, I decided to call him but my call went straight to voicemail.
I didn’t think much of it, considering he was a busy man.
I figured he’d call me when he got the chance.
“Definitely thought I’d be popping up at your spot sometime this week. Then I would’ve been pissed off had I walked in on something I didn’t need to see.” Kolton sat in the crescent moon-shaped booth, watching as I approached him.
“Then let’s both be glad I came to see you first.” I smiled cheekily at my brother.
He shook his head then sipped from the glass occupying his hand.
“Anyway, how are you? I mean, you aren’t going to tell me anyway, huh?” I leaned over and kissed the side of his face before sliding into the space across from him.
He smiled teasingly. “I’m good yo, deadass. I actually just got the greenlight to open another location. KB’s will have another space by the fall.” His smile was infectious.
“Really? Where? I’m happy for you.”
“Upcoming Carter project. They’re opening a casino slash hotel space near the private hangars. You know it’s always been big business that far north considering people come to Briar to do their dirty business.”
I nodded, looking at him. “And the Carters are aware of your disagreement with Pops and still gonna do business with you?”
He threw his head forward. “Shit yeah. I ain’t hiding that or anything to do with him, and from what I hear, your father is on his way to the outs with that circle. Too many escorts, not enough business being run.”
I cackled. “Nah that’s your daddy. Stop trying to hand his embarrassing ass to me.”
He waved me off. “That is your father.”
“Yours too.”
I closed my eyes, sitting back in my seat. “Don’t remind me. The last name is enough.”
He chuckled. “You seem tired, where have you been?”
“Carter estate, designing P’s dress for their gala.”
He threw his head back. “That’s your girl, huh?”
I nodded. “Her and Amethyst honestly.” It was crazy how in the course of a few years I had become close to them in the way I had.
“Purple hair with a nice ass shape, right?” he quizzed, a goofy grin on his face.
“Yes. Stop acting like you didn’t already know that. She has a boyfriend and she’s a really good friend of mine, Kolton.”
“Since when?”
“Since when what?” I was confused.
“Since when did she get a man? Lil Purp is always alone when I see her.”
“Since none of your business. She’s happy and definitely not the type you go for. She has class.”
My brother chortled. “You know what, I’ma let you have that, but I got class too. Way more than whatever she’s hiding. You never know, that would be a nice ass arrangement if your father finally rolls over and dies.”
Once again I was shaking my head. “You don’t even believe in arranged marriages, Kolton.”
“You right, I don't. It was just a thought.”
“One you should let go of.”
He waved me off. “Sure. But what’s been up with you? Are you good?”