Chapter 14
Celeste
“Girl, that smile isn’t big enough! Now smile like you mean it,” Jade said as she snapped a picture.
I’d just gotten the keys to my new space and couldn’t believe it.
Just a few years ago, I was in survival mode.
I was working two jobs while trying to take care of my mother the best I could.
Luxe Addiction was an idea I thought would only ever exist in my imagination.
To experience opening a second location was mind blowing.
This time felt more intense since I had to go through the process of opening the space myself.
My hard work and dedication made it possible.
Not saying I wouldn’t be devastated if I were to lose my original storefront, but this one was different.
“Okay, that’s enough pictures. My damn cheeks hurt.”
“Please,” she countered with an eye roll. “But anyway, you never told me the plan for the space. Are we moving everything over here or will this be location number two?”
“As of right now, it’s location number two.
I have a meeting today with a lawyer to see what can be done about getting the other building in my name.
The good thing is, I don’t plan to have this location up and running for another couple months.
Christmas or New Year’s is what I’m aiming for.
By then, I’ll have a sure answer on the fate of the other building,” I admitted.
“Okay. That sounds like a good plan. The most important part is there’s still a storefront for the locals. They may be inconvenienced by the location change, but they’ll make the drive.”
“That’s true. I thought about everything before settling on this location. Next thing I need to do is move my mother out of that facility. Everything will be ready by this weekend and I can’t wait. Getting her from under Allen’s dime will be a weight lifted from my damn shoulders.”
“Praise the Lord. The minute her room is clear, I’ll be at Allen’s house giving him the ass whooping I’ve been wanting to give his ass for years now. I can’t stand that nigga.”
“I’ll call you the minute we move her out,” I joked.
“Uh no. I’ll be there to help get Momma Cora settled. I haven’t seen her in so long.”
“Now you know you can see her whenever you want. She’s always asking about you,” I admitted.
“Well, I’ll be there to help. I’ve been calling her to check on her, but haven’t made time to go see her. Mainly because I never know what kind of day she’s having.”
“You can always ask. You’d make her day with a surprise visit.”
“I know. I’ll do better. But I’m about to leave. I have to get ready for this date.”
“Date?” I asked with sincere shock.
“Yes, boo…a date. You not about to be the only one around here with a real nigga on your arm.”
“Girl please,” I laughed. “I’m all for the real ones. But who is this man? You haven’t told me anything about any men.”
I was mentally going through all the conversations we’d had recently, coming up empty handed on who exactly this man could be. Even when we had gone out for Marshae’s birthday, she’d said nothing about a man.
“He’s new. We met last week when me and Erick went to Coffee King. He’s different from my usual type, but I think it’s a good thing. He wears a suit and sits behind a desk for work.”
“Really? What type of work does he do?”
“He’s a banker. He works in the loan department at Franklin Centers.”
Franklin Centers Bank was one of the most popular banks in the country. They seemed to have a location on every corner. I had both my personal and business accounts with them.
“Oh, I need to meet this man.”
“You won’t meet him unless it’s necessary, but I’ll show you a picture.”
I waited patiently while Jade swiped through her phone to find the picture.
When she held the phone up to my face, an image of a very handsome, brown skinned man was clear as day.
He looked educated and well put together.
I wouldn’t say much since she was still getting to know him, but I saw why he had Jade’s attention.
“Okay, friend. He’s fine. I can tell he has a dentist who doesn’t play about him,” I joked.
“Girl, you know I don’t play when it comes to oral hygiene. I won’t lie, I asked if those were veneers and he laughed so hard. He told me he wore braces as a kid and his mom stayed on top of his teeth whitening appointments. Momma did her shit because that smile belongs on a damn magazine.”
“No lie. Where’s he taking you tonight?”
“I’m not sure. All he told me was to dress in cocktail attire. I need to get home and do my hair like now.”
“What are you doing with it?” I asked as I grabbed my keys and purse from the counter.
“I’m doing a half up, half down. I’m probably gonna flexirod the hair left out.”
“That’s gonna look good. Make sure you send me pictures. I need to see how you step.”
“I got you. You’re not staying here?”
“Staying for what?” I questioned with a confused expression.
“Uhh, to show your man your new space,” Jade said as she waved her hands.
“No. I’m going back to the store to help Erick.”
“Celeste, don’t be like that. I’m always on your side, but it’s not that serious.
I told you earlier I didn’t think he was wrong.
You’re mad at him for a choice Allen made.
He’s a different man than Allen. You can tell in the way he walks that he’s has no fuck nigga in him.
He was honest with you about the whole situation.
That anger you’re throwing toward him should be directed at Allen. Serenity is simply a casualty.
“You would still feel this way had he cheated with Trina from up the street. You’re mad at Shane for possibly working with a woman who didn’t even know you existed until she met you on that trip.
I know how easy it is to be mad at the other woman, but she was playing a role in something she didn’t know about.
No one owed you anything but Allen. That’s why I will never respect him.
It was him who fumbled your heart, friend. ”
I had no response for Jade. I heard everything she said and couldn’t argue because she was right.
Deep down, I knew he wasn’t wrong either.
Holding this against Shane was an easier way for me to protect my heart.
I’d gone through so much with Allen that I was now hyper aware of everything Shane did. It wasn’t fair, but I was human.
“Love you, friend. I’ll text you tonight,” Jade said as she left.
Jade knew me better than I knew myself at times.
She never tried to pry when I shut down.
She knew I’d come around sooner or later.
Right as I was saying goodbye, Shane’s truck pulled up.
After one last smile in my direction, Jade left and walked to her car.
The sound of a car door closing pulled my attention back to Shane.
He looked fine as hell as he walked up to me with a fresh lining and the deepest mean mug.
He looked so serious that I felt nervous the closer he got.
Those dark brown eyes let me know he had some shit to get off his chest.
“I just so happened to be on my way to the shop and here you are. Why didn’t you tell me you had your keys?”
“I planned on calling you later.”
“Why the fuck wouldn’t you call me when it happened?
Yo’ ass is being petty and it’s not cool.
I haven’t done shit but show you that I’m here for you and you acting like this.
Let me know what’s up, Celeste. Either you fuckin’ with me or you aren’t.
I’m not about to play monkey in the middle with yo’ ass,” Shane stated sternly.
For a quick second, I entertained the idea of keeping my attitude.
Ultimately, I chose to let it go before Shane let me go.
Just like me, he’d be disappointed that we didn’t get further but he’d leave for the sake of having peace.
From the moment I’d met this man, I knew he was a no-nonsense person.
If I didn’t get my shit together, I was sure I’d see him in the future with another woman on his arm.
Instead of speaking, I leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips.
“That’s what the fuck I thought,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer to him.
His wide hands were filled with my ass as he rubbed it slowly. Once I felt a tingle below, I tried to playfully push him off, but he only held me tighter.
“I must be wakin’ that pussy up,” Shane whispered into my ear, laughing.
“Stop playing and let me show you the store,” I said as I pulled away again.
“Oh, now you wanna show me the shop?”
“I was always gonna show you.”
Shane didn’t even attempt to wait for me to give him a tour as he walked around me and looked in every room himself.
“This is nice, Celeste. It reminds me of your downtown location with a different vibe. Like this is still Luxe Addiction, but more futuristic or some shit. Hell, I don’t know what I’m trying to say—”
“I get what you mean. I felt the same way when I first saw it. I’d seen several other places, but this one gave me that gut feeling. I have a little while to think about how I want it set up, but it’s definitely gonna look a little different than the other location,” I admitted.
Shane and I spoke more about the ideas I had for the set up before he all but forced me to come to his condo.
Before giving in, I checked on Erick to make sure he didn’t need my help at the store.
After he informed me all was well, I let Shane know I’d follow him to his home.
Thankfully, traffic was light and it took us no time to get to his place.
“You good, baby? You look like you can barely keep your eyes open,” Shane said as he opened my car door.
“I’ve been up since five. I had to stop by the nursing home then the whole closing process. Just a little tired is all,” I admitted as I stepped out.