22 | Simone
College was officially behind me, and summer had finally arrived. By the grace of God my internship turned into a full-time job offer. The salary wasn’t anything to brag about, but the opportunity—and the joy of waking up to do something I genuinely loved? I couldn’t put a price on that.
I had also formed some good friendships at work, particularly with Destiny.
She was like the older sister I never had.
Wise. Funny. Always reminding me to give myself grace.
She had been instrumental in my growth and transformation over the past five months, and I was constantly thanking her for how she showed up for me.
Tonight though? Tonight was about my blood family. Emaree and Emon’s birthdays. And the grand opening of Emon’s tattoos and barbershop. A two-for-one celebration that I’m sure was going to bring the whole city out.
Emaree and I were getting ready simultaneously while on Facetime together. Helping each other choose the right heels and decide between the perfect lip combos.
“Okay,” I said, leaning into the mirror to fix my edges, “girl talk. How are things with Donovan?”
Emaree paused mid-curl. “Everything has been pretty good. He’s so different from the guys I’d normally go for and I’m starting to embrace that.”
“Mmm-hmm. And we know the dudes you used to go for, I think you’re evolving, and I love that.”
“Ok, don’t start getting too deep,” Emaree said, focusing back on curling her hair.
“And Kadeem?” I asked casually, even though nothing between them had ever actually been casual.
Her whole face softened at the mention of his name in a way you simply couldn’t fake.
“We’re cool,” she said, focusing way too hard on the curling wand. “He hasn’t been around much. Probably won’t be here tonight either. Last I checked, he had business to tend to out of town.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What business does he even have?” She shrugged dramatically. “Girl, your guess is as good as mine. Kadeem is always somewhere doing something. Honestly, at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if he works for the damn mob or something.”
We both burst into laughter. The conversation drifted, naturally, right back to me and Samaj.
“How are you feeling about seeing him tonight?” She asked.
I adjusted the strap of my dress, as I tried to choose my words.
“Honestly, I’m in a good place. Finally, And I just hope he is too.”
Emaree paused to look at me. “Well, one thing I do know. That Vanessa girl deleted that post real quick. Which means Samaj definitely told her to or he kicked her to the curb. Either way I think she served her purpose and kept your seat warm so if you feel like getting your spot back, I say go for it.”
I already knew about the post and the fact that it vanished off the face of the internet within forty-eight hours. But I refused to pick it apart. Or get my hopes up. Or even allow myself to daydream about what it might mean.
I even went as far as deleting the app from my phone altogether so I wouldn’t be tempted to stalk her page.
But tonight? I couldn’t lie—I was looking forward to seeing him. But I was low key terrified too.
Would he show up with a date?
Would he want to talk?
Would we pretend like nothing ever happened?
Would he… want to pick up where we left off or would he still be emotionally unavailable?
I didn’t have answers. Just nerves.
“I don’t know, E.” I admitted.
“And that’s okay. Let things flow however they’re going to flow girl.
As for me, I’m forever going to be team Samaj and Simone.
” She proceeded to spray her curls with holding spray.
“He’s no fool. That man knows you’re the best thing that ever happened to him.
” Emaree said, returning her attention back to me.
She seemed so confident that I started to feel a little flicker of hope.
“If it’s God’s will.” I whispered to myself and continued to get ready.
I rode in the back of the Uber with the windows cracked just enough to let the summer breeze drift in. My stomach had been turning the whole ride, and I kept smoothing the hem of my dress like that would calm my nerves.
I’d dressed to impress tonight, a gold mini dress hugging me in all the right places and showing off my legs, the one feature I never doubted.
Gold strappy heels. Long sleek ponytail down my back with minimal baby hairs.
Trying new hairstyles was becoming a thing I enjoyed, but don’t get it twisted I wasn’t retiring my signature curly bun anytime soon.
I had even learned to do my makeup in the last few months, and I loved the way it enhanced my naturally beautiful round face. Tonight, the new and improved Simone was stepping outside!
The Uber pulled up to Emon’s shop and people were lined up outside taking pictures. Music thumped from inside, bass vibrating through the sidewalk.
“Good thing I didn’t bother driving my car or I would’ve been circling for an hour to find a parking spot.” I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “Let’s just hope I survive tonight.” I said while still on Facetime with Emaree who was getting picked up by Donovan.
“Girl you’ll be fine,” she said. “And if Samaj is on some dumb stuff tonight, I say we jump him.”
I laughed but knowing E she was probably only half kidding. The way she was set up she’d fight a woman, a man, a cat, and a dog behind me. I was truly grateful for her.
“I’ll see you soon. Donovan just pulled up.”
“Okay later.”
Inside, the shop was packed wall-to-wall with bodies, laughter, conversations overlapping. A lady by the door handed out drinks on a tray.
“Honey, you look amazing!” she chirped, offering everyone glasses of wine with fruit and sparkles inside.
“No, thank you.” Although I’ve never been much of a drinker, I typically wouldn’t turn down a glass of wine on a celebratory night like this, but at the beginning of the year I’d decided to no longer drink alcohol at all. I moved deeper inside, and I took in everything Emon had done with the space.
The reception area featured a sleek glossy white desk, neon sign on the wall that read Emon’s House of Ink & Fades Lounge in a gold script that matched the ambiance.
Black and white marble floors and modern lighting cast a warm glow.
To the left, the tattoo side was a full vibe high black divider between stations, each one lit with mounted ring lights.
Artwork hung on the walls, bold pieces ranging from portraits to abstract designs.
A few tattoo artists were showing off their portfolios on tablets to potential clients.
To the right, the barbershop side was clean and masculine red and black leather barber chairs, long mirrors framed in gold, shelves stocked with fresh-smelling products.
You could tell Emon put real love into this place.
Straight ahead, the back opened into a lounge area separated by glass doors that were currently both open big screens playing music videos, a two pool tables with people gathered all around, black couches, a mini bar with bartenders shaking cocktails while laughing.
LED strip lights wrapped around the ceiling, changing colors with the beat of the music.
The place looked like success personified.
A few minutes later, Emaree and Donovan walked in, and jaws literally dropped around the shop.
Emaree was a vision in a fiery red dress with a slit cut entirely too high but somehow just right for her.
Her wand curls bounced with every step. Donovan hovered behind her, dressed nicely in his button up and slacks.
He was tall and slim with undeniable pretty-boy energy.
Definitely different than what I was used to seeing her with, but she was branching out and trying something new and at the end of the day if she was happy then I was going to stick beside her.
Emon spotted me first and jogged over, grinning like he’d just won the lottery. “Simonneeyyy!” I gave him a hug. “I’m so proud of you,” I told him sincerely.
“This place looks incredible.”
“Appreciate it.”
“Facts,” Emaree added. “I’m so proud of you too and you did it all on your own.”
“Thanks Twin.”
Right on cue the photographer called us over for pictures. We posed, smiled, and laughed. Emon, me, Emaree, while Donovan stood off to the side looking very much uninterested.
The moment the pictures were taken, I caught Emaree’s eyes darting around the room.
I leaned in. “Girl what are you doing?”
She whispered back without missing a beat. “Looking to see if Kadeem is here.”
I blinked. Of course. Trying not to draw attention, I turned to Emon. “Is Kadeem here tonight?”
Emon snorted. “Nah, he ain’t here. Why you asking?” He looked right at Emaree, like he just knew she was the one who really wanted to know. Her guilty expression confirmed his suspicion. Before Donovan could catch on, she grabbed me by the wrist. “We’re going to the bathroom. Be Back!”
We barely made it inside before she whipped out her phone with frantic energy.
“Look.” She shoved the screen at us.
A text from
Kadeem: Happy Birthday. You wearing the hell out of that dress.
And another message:
Kadeem: You knew red was my favorite color when you decided to put that on huh?
My jaw dropped. “What the heck? How does he know what you’re wearing?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”
“Wait—” I squinted. “Is he here? Is he WATCHING you?”
Before we could process, Emaree hit call putting the phone on speaker.
He picked up on the second ring.
“Kadeem, how do you know what I’m wearing? Do you—do you have people watching me?”
“Damn, pumpkin, why you so hostile? You look too good to be acting like that.”
I covered my mouth to hide my laugh.
“I’m being serious. You’re not here so what’s up?”
He chuckled low. “I don’t have anyone keeping tabs on you so you can relax.”
“But I – I don’t understand.”
“I am watching you, though. You got a problem with that?
“I need popcorn. This is too good.” I snickered.
Emaree spun around and glared at me to shut up which only made me laugh more.
“And just how are you doing that? Explain yourself.”
He sighed like she was being dramatic. “Your brother didn’t tell you? I did all the security for the shop. Got cameras everywhere. I can see everything.”
“Oh.” She blinked. “Well… you could’ve just said that.”
“Stop worryin’ about what I’m doing and enjoy your night,” he said.
“I would’ve enjoyed it more if you were here.” She said softly.
“I know.”
I felt that. Deep in my chest. Because I wanted Samaj there just as bad. Kadeem continued, “I’ll see you soon though. And tell that Keith Powers wanna be to keep his hands to himself.”
“Kadeem!” she snapped, shocked. “Be nice.”
“Yeah, whatever. Aye, I sent my birthday gift. Make sure you open it where I can see you. Happy Birthday beautiful.”
He hung up, and I stared at her. “Ooooh, girl he is down BAD! And so are you,” I added, bumping her hip with mine. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop smiling.
“Whatever. Let’s go before Donovan starts thinking I fell in the toilet.”
“He does kind of resemble Keith Powers now that I think of it.” I giggled.
“Do not join in Kadeem’s foolishness, I beg you.”
We stepped out of the restroom, blending back into the crowd. My pulse quickened again. Because somewhere out there maybe even walking through the door any second Samaj was coming. And I didn’t know if I was ready.