Chapter 2
S evyn grabbed her black Hermès bag, slipping out of her office to meet her cousin Dorian and her best friend Ariel for lunch.
Another busy day—like every day.
Sevyn wasn’t like most therapists.
She didn’t sit across from her clients with a clipboard and a robotic checklist of questions, pushing pills that often did more harm than good. She cared. Genuinely. She gave her clients real methods to cope— ones that actually worked.
Mindfulness. Herbal healing. Meditation. Physical movement. Nutrition. Finding something—a hobby, a passion, an outlet—to ground them when the weight of their struggles became too much.
Even if that outlet was weed.
She didn’t judge. If it helped them cope in a healthy way, she encouraged it, even guiding them toward responsible herbal use.
She had seen firsthand how natural remedies could heal when used correctly, and she was determined to offer people more than the cold, clinical approach the industry so often relied on.
But it wasn’t just her unconventional methods that made Sevyn stand out.
It was her.
Her smooth brown skin was flawless, a natural glow that turned heads, but what made her even more striking was the intricate tattoo sleeve decorating her right arm—a blend of art and meaning that only made her more real to the people she helped.
At 5’4, she wasn’t the tallest woman in the room, but she stood out.
Her figure—toned abs, a tiny waist, and curves that stopped traffic— was sculpted by none other than Harper Gaines, her long-time trainer and other best friend.
They had gone to school together, and from the moment Sevyn decided to take her health seriously, she had trusted Harper with the process .
And it paid off.
Her beauty was effortless. The kind that drew people in without her trying.
Men wanted her. Women wanted to be her. But Sevyn’s heart belonged to only one man. And aside from her father, there was no one else who mattered more.
Braxton.
The sharp buzz of her phone pulled Sevyn from her thoughts just as she grabbed her keys, preparing to head out. A glance at the screen told her exactly what she already knew—Dorian.
Sevyn sighed, knowing her cousin was about to cuss her out for being late. She answered anyway, putting the phone to her ear.
“I’m coming, Dorian.” Sevyn rushed out before she could even get a word in. “My last session ran over.”
“Hurry up, girl. You know I can’t deal with your friend for long,” Dorian shot back, unimpressed.
Sevyn playfully rolled her eyes. “Please behave, Dorian. I’m literally down the street.”
Dorian let out a dramatic sigh before the call ended.
Sevyn already knew exactly who she was talking about—Ariel.
Ariel had been Sevyn’s best friend since high school, a bond built over years of loyalty and sisterhood.
She was a powerhouse in her own right, working as a top banker at one of the most prestigious banks in Memphis.
Sevyn never understood why Dorian didn’t like her, but if there was one thing she did know, it was that her cousin didn’t dislike people for no reason.
Dorian was brutally honest. Real. Blunt to the point of no return. If she had a problem with Ariel, there was a reason—even if Sevyn didn’t know what it was. Still, Ariel had never given Sevyn a reason to question her loyalty, so the friendship remained.
With that in mind, she put some extra pep in her step, knowing if she left Dorian and Ariel alone for too long, things could go left quickly. She said her goodbyes to her colleagues and her boss, Hannah Baker, before heading out.
The sharp click of her Louboutin heels echoed through the parking garage as she approached her tinted black Maserati, the body gleaming under the fluorescent lights. Her car screamed power—luxury wrapped in a dark, untouchable aura.
And every time she pulled up somewhere, people always assumed a man would be stepping out.
But it was her.
Sevyn had been into cars since she was a little girl, going to car shows with her father, soaking in the beauty of every engine, every pristine detail. Despite growing up with a gold spoon thanks to her parents’ wealth, she had worked for every luxury she owned.
And she made damn sure people knew it.
The low rumble of the engine filled the garage as she sped off, weaving through the streets of Memphis with ease.
Minutes later, she pulled up to 901—one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city. It had everything—luxury, high-end clientele, an atmosphere that was always alive.
And most importantly?
The best food Memphis had to offer.
Sevyn handed her keys to the valet with a polite nod, adjusting her purse on her arm before ascending the small steps leading to the restaurant’s entrance. Her natural, long hair, styled in a half-up, half-down look, framed her face perfectly, accentuating her sharp yet feminine features.
The hostess greeted her with a warm smile, and Sevyn returned it before glancing around. She spotted Dorian at a table in the back, sitting across from Ariel. Both women were glued to their phones, locked in their own worlds, not acknowledging each other’s presence.
Sevyn exhaled, relieved that they weren’t at each other’s throats, but still regretting the decision to invite them both.
Balancing her best friend and her cousin in the same space was always a gamble, but today was supposed to be a celebration.
She had good news to share—news too big to drop over a text or phone call.
A celebratory lunch was the best she could do, given how hectic all their schedules were.
She made her way to the table, and as soon as she approached, both women lifted their eyes toward her.
“Hey, beauties!” Sevyn greeted, her voice light.
Ariel grinned, lifting her margarita in a small toast. Dorian, on the other hand, rolled her eyes. But Sevyn knew her cousin—it was love underneath the attitude.
She slid into the seat beside Dorian just as the waiter approached, wasting no time taking her drink order.
“How was everyone’s day?” she asked, looking between the two.
“Girl, mine’s been busy,” Ariel sighed, setting her phone down with an annoyed flick of her wrist. “I still gotta go back to the bank after this.” She took a slow sip of her strawberry margarita, letting out a small groan as the alcohol settled in.
Ariel’s father owned one of the biggest banks in the heart of Memphis, and while most people assumed she worked there by choice, the truth was far less glamorous. She didn’t want the job. Never had. But her father had made it clear—if she wanted to keep living off his money, she had to earn it.
So here she was, a bank manager by force, drowning in responsibilities she never asked for, sipping margaritas just to make it through the day.
Sevyn nudged Dorian. “What about you?”
“Same shit. Had clients back-to-back, so I’m heading home after this,” Dorian said, locking her phone and tucking it into her bag.
Dorian was hands-down the best nail tech in Memphis—not just according to Sevyn, but everyone.
High-profile clients, socialites, even celebrities flew in just to sit in her chair.
She had turned her talent into a business, opening her own nail salon after college, and it had been thriving ever since.
Sevyn tapped her nails against the glass of water in front of her, a wide smile spreading across her lips.
“Well, I won’t keep you two long,” she said, barely containing her excitement. “But I do have some big news.”
Both Dorian and Ariel perked up.
“What is it?” Ariel asked, her excitement evident.
Sevyn took a breath, letting the moment build before finally saying, “It’s not official yet, but…
I’m in the process of starting my own therapy clinic.
” Her smile grew. “Expanding on what I already do, but this time, owning everything. Having full control over the type of counseling I provide. No restrictions. No limits.”
Dorian’s face lit up first.
“Oh my—that’s good! I’m so happy for you, cousin!”
Sevyn laughed as Dorian pulled her into a hug, squeezing her tightly. “Thank you, cousin.”
But then she noticed something. Ariel was quiet. Too quiet.
The energy at the table shifted as Sevyn and Dorian both turned toward her, catching the subtle hesitation in her expression.
“That’s great,” Ariel finally said, but her tone lacked the enthusiasm she usually had when it came to Sevyn’s success.
Sevyn’s brows furrowed slightly. “You don’t really sound happy for me.”
From the corner of her eye, she caught Dorian rolling her eyes, the irritation evident.
Dorian had never been a fan of Ariel. She always thought Ariel had an underlying jealousy when it came to Sevyn—and this moment right here?
Only confirmed it.
“No… no, I am happy for you,” Ariel said quickly. “It’s just… Braxton.”
Both Sevyn and Dorian immediately mugged her.
“The fuck does Braxton have to do with this?” Dorian asked, her tone sharp, matching the confused expression on Sevyn’s face.
Ariel sighed, shifting slightly in her seat. “Opening your own clinic comes with long hours and more workload. Your schedule is already cutting into y’all’s time together. You won’t have time for your relationship at all.”
Sevyn gave her friend a strange look, but before she could respond, Dorian cut in, her voice dripping with irritation.
“And why is her relationship any of your business?”
Sevyn jumped in before things could escalate. She already knew how her cousin was—quick to pop off, quick to put someone in their place, and never one to let disrespect slide.
Dorian wasn’t just her cousin; she was her person. More like a sister than anything.
Their fathers were brothers, and their mothers were twin sisters, so they’d been inseparable since birth—literally.
Born just a day apart by technically a minute, they were thick as thieves, ride-or-die since the beginning.
Always fighting for each other. Always standing ten toes down, no matter what.